News

BUS Éireann have announced “significant enhancement” to Clare services and timetables. Funded by the National Transport Authority through the Government’s July Stimulus, it includes a new Sunday service of two round trips between Scariff/Limerick on Route 345 as well as enhancements linking Kilkee directly to Doonbeg and Lahinch by public transport for the first time on Route 336. Route 345 will see an enhanced weekday timetable with three daily round trips, Saturday timetable with three daily round trips up from one and a Sunday service with two round trips from Scariff/Limerick On Route 333 there will be enhanced weekday timetable with four daily round trips, Saturday timetable with four daily round trips a new Sunday timetable with three daily round trips and improved evening frequency. While all services will provide connections at Ennis Bus/Rail Station and wider public transport network Route 336 benefits include an enhanced weekday timetable with six daily round trips, Saturday timetable with six daily round trips, …

WORKS aimed at ending the discharge of untreated sewage into the River Fergus are to begin in the new year, Irish Water have confirmed. Irish Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council, is progressing with works to upgrade the sewerage infrastructure in Clarecastle. This will help eliminate the discharge of untreated wastewater into the River Fergus and the greater Shannon Estuary, bringing significant environmental, social and economic benefits to the area. This project involves the construction of 2.1km of new wastewater pipelines and upgrades to the existing Quay Road wastewater pump station.  The first phase of works involve the construction of 311m of sewer main between Clarecastle Church and Quay Road are due to get underway on January 4, 2021 for a period of five weeks. These works have been brought forward in order to facilitate the Clarecastle Streetscape Rejuvenation Plan which is being supported by Clare County Council, Clarecastle Community Development Committee and the local Tidy Towns group and …

A SUPER talented New Quay family have scooped the top prize on TG4’s Réalta agus Gaolta, fighting off competition from across the country and wowing judges with their unique interpretation of The Cranberries ‘Zombie’. The Farrell family will receive a €2,000 cash prize following their win and are said to be on Cloud 9 after their success. Nineteen-year-old Shónagh, who is a student of French and Music at University College Dublin (UCD) and a singer and violinist, was described by her mum Ellie as the “musical director” of the family. “They wouldn’t take any advice at all from myself or Brian,” she laughed. “We were banned from the process! Shónagh would spend lots of time adapting different pieces to suit their style and there results have been fantastic.” Judges, including Irial Ó Ceallaigh and Sinéad Ní Uallacháin were blown away by the performance of Muintir Farrell across the course of the show, and other performances included a hugely popular version …

ENNIS Railway Station is on track to being more accessible to people with reduced mobility. A new accessible footbridge crossing with stairs and lift is to open at the station in the start of the new year. This follows a €1 million investment by Iarnód Éireann, enabling people with reduced mobility as well as those with buggies and prams to have better access. Councillor Johnny Flynn, who has been campaigning for the move for 10 years has welcomed the development saying, “I welcome the circa € 1 million investment in wheelchair / buggy / pedestrian lifts and cross track bridge opening after Christmas at Ennis Railway Station. This will make rail transport to and from Ennis  more accessible to all by having accessible use of both platforms at all times and improve travel times by eliminating current occasional delays of up to 15 mins when simultaneous safe wheelchair user access is required from platform 1 to both Galway and Limerick …

AFTER what has been a incredibly tough year for nursing home staff, residents and their families, a unique oral history project is hoping to spark reminiscences about times long before the threat of Covid-19. Cuimhneamh an Chláir has dipped into its extensive archive to compile an album of Christmas stories which it is distributing to every nursing home in the county. “We celebrated our tenth anniversary last year and were delighted that we got to mark it,” said Leonard McDonagh, Chairperson of Cuimhneamh. “Some people who attended our celebrations, including the late Chris Droney, are no longer with us and that’s a huge loss. We’re also conscious that many people in nursing homes have contributed their stories and memories to our archive. We wanted to give something back to them and that’s why we created the CD.” The album contains voices from all over Clare and many colourful memories of Christmases past. Among the traditions described are preparing the house, …

THE West Coast Motorcycle Club have revved up behind plans for the creation of a sensory memorial garden at St Clare’s School in Ennis. While Covid-19 has seen many charitable events cancelled this year, the annual Toy Run by the West Coast Motorcycle Club went ahead earlier this month raising an amazing €2,000 for St Clare’s. John Murphy of the motorcycle club said they were delighted to be able to once again do the toy run for St Clare’s “even in these different times”. He explained the reason behind the event was “simply to give back something to those who need it most”. He added, “The school are raising funds to establish a sensory memory garden as a thoughtful tribute to all the young people and members of St Clare’s community who have sadly passed away over the years. This will be a quiet reflective place where one can be comforted and inspired.” John expressed appreciation to everybody who supported …

GARDAÍ in Clare have issued a number of safety tips for this Christmas. In relation to Covid-19 gardaí advise that every contact counts. “If you must meet up this Christmas keep your contacts to a minimum, wear a mask if you can’t stay two metres apart and follow the HSE guidelines for your safety and others,” says Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. However, the advice is not confined to Covid safety. “Drink alcohol responsibly and if you are going out plan your night, tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back. Don’t walk home alone but if you have to walk in well-lit areas,” she urges. People are being reminded to take care when carrying your handbag and phone, keep handbags zipped and don’t put a wallet in your back pocket. “Only take out as much money as you need at ATMs and cover your pin,” she says. Other advice includes not leaving shopping on view …

HSE chiefs in the Midwest have issued a warning over the impact of a possible third wave of Covid-19 on service delivery in the region. “This Christmas has to be different,” Dr Mai Mannix, Director of Public Health in the Midwest told members of the local authority. “The next couple of weeks are so important and will determine what happens in January, which is always tough anyway in terms of healthcare. We are appealing to people to reduce their social contacts immediately. Keep washing your hands and keeping social distance.” Dr Mannix also said there were far too many instances where people were sick and still turning up at work. “This cannot continue,” she said. Professor Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director said that University Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG) could not rule out having to cancel elective procedures in January. He said the acute hospitals were preparing for a possible Covid spike in the New Year. “January is always a challenging …