East Clare

TWO wind farms with a total of 15 wind turbines could be located in close proximity to each other in South-East Clare after a developer unveiled new plans for another renewable energy development, writes Dan Danaher. EDF Renewables Ireland has announced plans to develop a 50 megawatt wind farm with up to seven turbines on land to the east of Broadford. The proposed Lackareagh Wind Farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. The project team is currently gathering wind data and mapping the environmental constraints on site which will be used to create a preliminary wind turbine layout. Detailed environmental studies will also be carried out at the site, including ecology, noise, landscape and visual assessments. The results of these studies, together with feedback gathered in consultation with local communities, will be used to determine the final wind farm layout and number of turbines. This is in addition to …

Dan Danaher spoke with the couple who sold the winning €30.9m EuroMillions ticket in Ballina NATIONAL Lottery chiefs are remaining tight-lipped on the identity of the €30,928,078 EuroMillions jackpot winner who has redeemed the lucky Quick Pick that was bought in Ballina. Michael and Siobhán Larkin are still celebrating after it was announced that their store, Larkin’s Gala Service Station in Ballina sold the winning ticket from the draw on Friday night. They have scooped €25,000 from selling the winning ticket as well as much local and national media attention. Arrangements are now being made for the 17th EuroMillions jackpot winner, since the game was launched in 2004, to claim their truly life-changing prize following contact with the National Lottery. In July 2005, Dolores McNamara from Limerick, was Ireland’s first and biggest EuroMillions winner scooping over €115 million. Ms McNamara now lives near Ogonnelloe. Siobhán Larkin, who owns the business with her husband Michael on the Ballina to Birdhill road, …

RTE Gaelic Games commentator Marty Morrissey has lauded the achievements of St Joseph’s Secondary School in capturing their first Harty Cup, writes Dan Danaher. Speaking on a platform outside the school, the Quilty broadcaster paid tribute to all the work that contributed to becoming the best senior hurling colleges team in Munster. Marty said it was a wonderful honour and privilege to be present in Tulla to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the St Joseph’s team. “As a Clareman I want to thank this team and school because what you have done is more than just win a cup or a Munster title. This is what a school dreams of aspiring to. “What you have is a sense of belonging to a community. You are from Clare, East Clare and St Joseph’s school in Tulla. The school has achieved a wonderful thing by bringing a whole county together.” “We are all gone mad on this St Joseph’s team because of …

The National Lottery has confirmed that the €30,928,078 EuroMillions jackpot winner from the draw on Friday February 11 has come forward. Arrangements are now being made for the big winner to claim their truly life-changing prize. The Mid-West ticket holder became the 17th EuroMillions jackpot winner since the game was launched in 2004 after they purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket at Larkin’s Gala Service Station in Ballina, Co. Tipperary.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 21-metre telecoms mast in Scariff have prompted a major objection from a group calling itself East Clare Community Residents, writes Fiona McGarry. Eir proposes to replace a 12-metre wooden pole, at its exchange on The Connacht Road, with a much higher mast with dishes, antennas and other equipment. When submissions closed at the end of January, a total of 11 objections had been made. One of those is a detailed document with 48 signatures on behalf of East Clare Community Residents. Deputy Michael McNamara, has also made a representation on the file, “requesting the need for Clare County Council to engage with those who have made submissions and those who have concerns within the wider public to ensure those concerns are addressed in the planning process”. The 14-page objection from East Clare Community Residents raises concerns about the impact of the proposed mast on the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) of Scariff and Tuamgraney. It outlines detailed …

A family-run service station located about three kilometres from Killaloe bridge has sold a EuroMillions ticket worth an astonishing €30,928,078. The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on Sunday, February 6 at Larkin’s Gala Service Station, Garryurtneal, Ballina, Killaloe. The Mid-West player has officially become the 17th EuroMillions jackpot winner ever seen in Ireland following the draw on Friday night. Siobhan Larkin, who owns the business with her husband Michael on the Ballina to Birdhill road, spoke of the complete shock and joy she felt on receiving the news over the weekend. “When our visitors from the National Lottery arrived here on Sunday evening, I was totally overwhelmed and in quite a state of shock. “I couldn’t believe that it was our store that sold the winning ticket worth €30.9 million. We are coming up to 21 years in business here this March so what a way this is to mark the occasion. “The vast majority of our customers are …

COUNTY planners have given March 24 as an indicative decision date for a major new housing development in the offing for a Clare village, writes Fiona McGarry. A proposal to build 41 homes on a large site at Quin Gardens in the heart of Quin village is being considered currently by the local authority. The application from Datcha Construction is seeking permission for 13 detached, 10 semi-detached and 18 terraced houses on a site of just under two hectares. Five of the homes will be two-bed units, 32 will be three-bed and the remaining four homes will be four-bed. The largest of the proposed homes will be just over 158 square metres, while the smallest units will be just over 109 square metres. A total of 95 car parking spaces are proposed and provision has been made for charging points for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Drawings and site plans show that the proposed homes are arranged in four clusters, with a …

PROGRESS with the provision of additional classrooms at an East Clare secondary school is moving as quickly as possible, the Minister for Education has said. Minister Norma Foley gave the assurance on the long-awaited new rooms, which will include facilities for practical work, in response to a question from Deputy Cathal Crowe. The Meelick man raised the issue in the Dáil, asking for an update and timeline on the works. In response, Minister Foley confirmed that, under Project 2040, under her Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme two new mainstream classrooms are to be provided as well as a metalwork room and a woodwork room. She confirmed that the project has been “devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare ETB (LCETB)”. “In respect of Scariff Community College, the project was approved in February 2017 and proceeded through the various stages of the architectural planning process thereafter,” Minister Foley outlined. “A Stage 1/2A report was received in May 2018 in that respect and …