East Clare

HOUSING Minister Jan O’Sullivan is on a collision course with Clare county councillors over their controversial decision to retain residential zoning for four acres of development land in Quin, contrary to the recommendation of county manager, Tom Coughlan.In fact, Minister O’Sullivan has effectively put the councillors’ zoning decision on hold for the rest of the year, having sent the council a draft direction seeking another public consultation process.It also means well-known developer, Brian McCarthy of Brian McCarthy Contractors Limited, who purchased the land at Feighquin, a few years ago when it was zoned residential, will be left in limbo about its planning status, probably for the next six months.There were plans initially for up to 21 houses for older people, which was supported by a local committee and the developer to meet this requirement in the locality. However, Government funding dried up a few years ago.This zoning was part of the 2012 to 2018 Draft South Clare Local Area Plan, …

A MAJOR upgrading and refurbishment of Feakle Community Hall could cost in the region of €80,000, it emerged this week.Munster Muintir na Tire development officer, James O’Neill will address local residents at another public meeting in the widely used community centre next Monday night at 9pm.It is expected Mr O’Neill will draw on his wealth of experience in the organisation to provide valuable information on how the local community will tackle a major project like this and raise a substantial amount of funds.Even though no definitive figures have been provided for the overall refurbishment cost, initial estimates suggest it could cost up to €80,000. The local hall committee hope a grant of €65,000 or three-quarters of the overall cost may be provided by the Clare Local Development Company leaving a local contribution of €25,000.The programme of works includes the replacement of the existing roof with a steel structure over a ring beam covered with Kingspan KS insulated roof panels, the …

CLARE Accessible Transport has been selected to pilot the inclusion of rural transport services as part of the national journey planner.

COUNCILLOR Pat Hayes, having now relinquished his role as mayor, is looking forward to getting back to the grassroots and throwing himself into community issues in East Clare.

PEOPLE from across 12 towns and villages in East Clare will be taking steps to raise funds for cancer research as they prepare to launch Strictly Come Dancing East Clare next week.

THE director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Professor Micheál O’Suilleabháin, this week expressed his keen interest in the Cnoc na Goaithe music centre project in Tulla and outlined its potential for both the locality and broader music community.

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins attended the East Clare Co-op in Scariff on Thursday to officially mark the 25th birthday of the co-operative. Quoting the United Nations secretary general, Ban-Ki-Moon, the President stressed to the large gathering, “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility”.The co-op was founded in September 1987 as the Coleen Bridge Co-operative with the aim of creating a Steiner-based primary school, which is now an independent initiative and is joined by a secondary school and a preschool.  A few years later, in 1991,  long before others around the country, the East Clare Community Co-operative established itself as an independent co-operative with a focus on training, local capacity building and enterprise support for environmentally sustainable social and business initiatives. In his address, President Higgins commended the board and members for developing and attracting a range of services to Scariff through the creation of this co-operative.“Today, you …

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins attended the East Clare Co-op in Scariff on Thursday to officially mark the 25th birthday of the co-operative. Quoting the United Nations secretary general, Ban-Ki-Moon, the President stressed to the large gathering, “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility”.The co-op was founded in September 1987 as the Coleen Bridge Co-operative with the aim of creating a Steiner-based primary school, which is now an independent initiative and is joined by a secondary school and a preschool.  A few years later, in 1991,  long before others around the country, the East Clare Community Co-operative established itself as an independent co-operative with a focus on training, local capacity building and enterprise support for environmentally sustainable social and business initiatives. In his address, President Higgins commended the board and members for developing and attracting a range of services to Scariff through the creation of this co-operative.“Today, you …