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A SECOND wind farm application for the development of eight large wind turbines about 6.5 kilometres from Miltown Malbay, which was previously involved in High Court proceedings, has been refused by Clare County Council. Clare County Council has turned down plans by Slieveacurry Limited for permission for a ten-year planning permission for the construction of a renewable energy development, which would have had a 30-year operational life from the time of full commissioning, if it had secured the necessary planning approval. Notwithstanding the location of the site on lands identified as “strategic” for windfarm developments, the planning authority considered the proposed turbine structures by reason of their height, scale and siting on this open and exposed upland landscape would constitute a prominent feature on the landscape from both local and long range viewpoints. When assessed in conjunction with existing and permitted wind turbines in the area, the local authority considered the proposed development would give rise to an excessive proliferation …

TULLYGLASS based singer and songwriter David Hope is releasing a new single Lovers’ Leap, which is something of a love letter to his native county. “It was inspired by a trip down to Loop Head. I’d spent a fair bit of time down there as a young lad, fishing and all that sort of stuff. “I got a bit captivated by the sea stack, which is right at the end fo the peninsula. It’s called Lovers’ Leap and there’s a whole mythology about that, Cú Chulainn being chased and jumping away from a randy witch as she was chasing him around the country! “She fell down to her death and became this wave that was sinking ships and things like that. As a songwriter you start latching onto these ideas, and, you know, we’re lucky to be from a beautiful place, so that’s where the song came from,” he says. David plans to bring out a second single later this …

CALLS for more bins at beauty spots in East Clare have been made as the so-called ‘outdoor summer’ gets into full swing after the Bank Holiday weekend. Addressing the most recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, two members appealed for a boost to waste management facilities as staycationers flock to the east of the county. Councillor Tony O’Brien welcomed an official response to a motion he tabled, calling for new bins in Killaloe town and for Council resources to service them. “I’m glad to hear that work is in progress and that new bins are to be procured for Killaloe,” he said. “I would hope that action is taken sooner rather than later. People are concerned locally and the fact is there’s no point in having more bins without resources to make sure that they are emptied and maintained. “This is particularly important at weekends. The existing bins are filling very quickly at the moment.” The motion was seconded …

GARDAI are investigating the burglary of two neighbouring premises in Killaloe. In the early hours of Wednesday, June 9, at around 3.50am there was a break-in at Bless Café, Convent Hill, Killaloe. The premises was broken into by forcing entry through the front and a sum of money was taken. Following on from this burglary at 3.55am Green Cross Pharmacy, adjacent to the café was targeted. Again entry was forced into the premises and a quantity of prescription medication was taken during the raid. Gardai believe the incident is connected with three burglaries which occurred in Limerick on the same night. The vehicle used in the crimes is believed to be a black Audi A5. It is thought that it travelled in the direction of O Brien’s Bridge. A suspect was apprehended in Galway and he has been arrested and charged in relation to some of the crimes. The case is currently under investigation and gardai are appealing to members …

KILMALEY made a successful defence of their Clare Cup title on home soil on Saturday evening when holding off neighbours Ballyea by 1-20 to 1-15, reports Eoin Brennan. Daire Keane’s trademark surge and finish to the net in the ninth minute would be a decisive score in catapulting Kilmaley into the ascendancy at 1-3 to 0-3. And with all of Kilmaley’s front six getting on the scoreboard from play in the opening period, they would ease into an 1-11 to 0-08 interval advantage. Newcomers Ballyea were far from full strength but could rely on the scoring prowess of Niall Deasy who finish with all but five points of his side’s total. Indeed, having fallen eight behind entering the final ten minutes, the former county senior rallied with 1-3, but eventually had to concede second best to a more balanced home side. Other teams to make home advantage count on the opening weekend were Clonlara and Feakle. Senior B holders Clonlara …

SPIRALLING insurance costs were one of the main factors that eventually sunk a voluntary rescue service in Lahinch, according to cone of its co-founders. In 1974, Tomsie O’Sullivan was one of the people who helped set up the Lahinch Inshore Rescue Service (LIRS). Insurance premiums soared from €2,500 at the start up to €6,000 over an 18-year period. All the organisation’s stock had to be insured while separate insurance was required for the use of a vessel and equipment at sea. In 2017, Tomsie recalled the organisation needed about €4,000 to upgrade equipment to meet national water safety standards, which they didn’t have in their coffers at the time. Grant aid was not available because the group were operating out of a steel container and would have to build a new small boathouse costing an estimated €20,000 to secure any further financial assistance. Once the organisation ceased to exist, all the group’s stock, steel container, boat, jet ski and quad …

CLARITY on a schedule of works for footpaths in East Clare has been sought by Councillor Joe Cooney. Addressing the most recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, the Fine Gael member called on the local authority to outline the footpaths programme for 2021. “We don’t know yet the housing developments which are to have their paths fixed this year,” he outlined. “In some cases, the estates are between 40 and 60 years old. Many of them have paths which need upgrading. I have previously invested my General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding and I would have no problem doing it again. I’m thinking of the likes of Beechwood Lawn in Bodyke and areas in O’Callaghan’s Mills and Hillcrest Grove in Kilkishen.” Councillor Cooney also asked whether the walking trail from Killaloe will be connected to Tuamgraney. “Fantastic work has already been done,” he noted. “There is a section still to be done as you come down the hill from Raheen. …

A YOUNG Clare gaeilgeoir features in a new creative series for children on TG4 called Cruthaím. Cathal Ó Conghaile who is nine years old and from Ballycorick features in the series of videos that are broadcast on Cúla4’s YouTube channel. Cathal loves art and spends his time drawing and colouring in. He loves art because of how fun it is and because it allows him to use his imagination. Cathal also builds models and he writes and designs comics. You can watch Cathal’s video on www.cula4.com/Cruthaím The initiative is part of a TG4 partnership with the Creative Ireland Programme of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg 2021. Cruthaím highlights the talent of young Irish speakers across the country and in Gaeltacht areas and their unique creative processes. One young Irish speaker from each county and a representative from the diaspora of Irish speakers showcase their creativity in the series of videos …