East Clare

CLARE County Council is proposing to build 18 new homes in Scariff and a Part 8 application is now at the public consultation phase. The apartment development at Ballyminogue, Waterpark, will be situated along the Scariff Stream and have a mix of one, two and three-bed units. A total of 27 car parking spaces are also proposed. The authority’s application states that, “An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening determination has been made and concludes that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development.” In respect of the risk of flooding, a detailed report has also been compiled. It characterises the flood risk as minimal. “The proposed development model shows the proposed development will have no impacts on the flood levels”, it states. The document identifies “residual risks”, including climate change and potential blockage of the downstream Scariff River Ridge and any boundary treatment fending. “In conclusion,” it states, “the mitigation measures put …

MILFORD Care Centre will be the beneficiary of two East Clare fundraising hikes on St Stephen’s Day. The 12 O’Clocks Hills committee has organised two hikes on December 26, for those who would like to stretch their legs in peaceful, beautiful surroundings. The first option is a 13km hike, gathering at 9.45am, at the Belvoir carpark, for a 10am start. The second is an 8.5km hike, assembling at 10.45am, at the Belvoir carpark, for an 11am start.  There is no charge to take part, but donations, from those taking part, would be greatly appreciated. For those unable to attend, a donation can be made on Idonate.ie/twelveoclockhills.

A TEAM of young East Clare men will hold a Christmas tractor run on Saturday, December 18, for those affected by the stress of cancer and mental health issues. Tomás Meade from Quin has joined forces with seven friends aged 19 and 20, all past pupils of St Flannan’s, to get the Light The Way tractor run underway in aid of Milford Hospice and Pieta House. Last January’s Level 5 lockdown put paid to plans for a live event, and the lads instead urged tractor and truck lovers around the county to light up and send them photos of decorated vehicles of all kinds. Tomás, an automotive engineering student at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), seized the opportunity to hold the event next Saturday and the venue will be the Gurteen GAA Grounds in Doora. For spectators, the event will be a colourful spectacle, lighting up the night. “The run will be going around Quin and Newmarket and then return …

HISTORIC church ruins at Clonrush, Whitegate, have been conserved thanks to an initiative between the local community, the council and the National Monuments Service. A socially distanced review of the works was facilitated in recent weeks between members of Whitegate Community Council and the local authority, at the 12th century monastic complex which is dedicated to St Colmán. Restoration works were carried out to safeguard the historic church ruins, which were at risk of collapse and had deteriorated in recent years. The main focus of the conservation works was the ruins of the stone church, but the site also contains many interesting remnants of its ecclesiastical past, including the monks’ house (Tig na mBráthar), original arched entrance gate and a little, stone-roofed oratory known as Poll Cholmáin (St Colmán’s Cave). The churchyard also contains many fine examples of carved memorials and ironwork from the 18th and 19th centuries. The works on the church and the archway gate were carried out …

DOG fouling continues to be a “huge issue” in Killaloe, despite extensive efforts to encourage responsible ownership, the municipal district committee has been told. At last month’s meeting, Councillor Tony O’Brien called for the installation of special bins in the town to allow those walking their dogs to dispose of excrement. While the senior executive engineer (SEE) said that bins may not be necessary, as the existing ones can take dog litter, she gave an undertaking to look at the possibility of providing dispensers for litter bags. In a written response to Councillor O’Brien’s motion, SEE Niamh Madden noted that the majority of people walking dogs in public spaces are conscientious about picking up dog litter. “Unfortunately, still some dog owners … do not take proper responsibility in relation to dog fouling,” she said. “Providing dispensers and dog litter bags has benefits and encourages dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities.” Ms Madden noted that despite the best efforts …

TO MARK the 100th anniversary of the Glenwood Ambush the local memorial committee have produced a Centenary Book, which is now on sale in the run up to Christmas.  The publication contains a number of versions of what actually happened on ambush day January 20, 1921, and the later reprisals by the Black and Tans. There are some details also of a number of the participating volunteers, in as much as was possible to get the information. These include Martin ‘Neighbour’ McNamara, Joe Clancy, Tom McGrath, Mattie McGrath, James Hogan, Paddy McCarthy, Jackie Ryan, Jimmy McInerney, Miko Neville, Dinny Minogue, Mick Moloney, Mick Shaughnessy, Tom McInerney, Michael Cleary, Peter St Ledger, Dan Lenihan, Joseph McNamara, Tadhg McGrath, Mick O’Dea, Paddy Quinn, Jack O’Grady. Jack Egan, Jack Curley, Tom McMahon, John Joe McNamara, Jack Quinn and Michael Quinn.  The publication also includes a number of very informative and readable articles, including ‘The Combatants in the War of Independence’ by Michael McNamara; …

AN ambitious plan for the twin lakeside towns of Killaloe and Ballina was adopted at the November meeting of local councillors, paving the way for a range of enhancement works. The Killaloe and Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan, (TEMP) outlines a number of key projects for both sides of the Shannon, including future pedestrianisation of the old bridge once the new bridge and bypass are completed. Measures to boost walking and cycling are outlined as well as actions to connect the flow of traffic to the bypass, reducing the number of vehicles in the centre of the two towns. The drafting of the plan involved extensive public consultation and cooperation, over the course over over a year, between the local authorities in Clare and Tipperary. The blueprint was warmly welcomed by Councillor Tony O’Brien who commended senior planner Brian McCarthy and the Killaloe Municipal District team. “This is simply a fantastic plan, I have been saying that the greatest …

VEGETATION encroaching on a number of roads in East Clare has resulted in drivers losing wing mirrors and windscreens, a meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District has heard. The topic was raised by Councillor Pat Burke who described it as “a famous item” as it is comes up so often. “Many landowners do great work, but there are still sections of our roads where they don’t,” he said. “In this day and age, people deserve better, particularly drivers of HGVs. The problem hasn’t gone away. “The council are doing their bit and lots of landowners do good work. Some respond to letters from the Municipal District office, but others don’t. It’s a major problem. “Last Saturday, a lorry driver broke a mirror. In this day and age, it’s not good enough. Driving a car is no problem, but if you’re in a lorry or a tractor, mirrors are at risk. It’s awful to think you have to keep out to …