AN Ennis man has been presented with an award in London by the Duke of Kent in recognition of his long service to the RNLI. Dick Robinson, now living in Corrovorrin but originally from Valentia Island, received a gold badge from the lifesaving charity at their annual presentation of awards at the Barbican Theatre, London, last week.The modest man said, “I’m very happy and I never thought I’d see the day but I didn’t look for it although I really appreciate it.” Mr Robinson has been involved with fundraising for the lifeboats since he was a child in Valentia, noting, “My family were up to their ears in water all our lives.”Some of his earliest memories are of collecting for the lifeboats with his father, who was superintendent on the island’s radio station, while his mother came from a Welsh seafaring family.For 15 years, he was both a volunteer crew member and a fundraiser for Valentia RNLI and for a …
Read More »Fears expressed over salt barn construction flood risk
CONCERNS have been raised that the construction of salt barns by the NRA could result in additional surface water being diverted to a stretch of river described as “flood prone”. At a recent meeting of Ennis East Electoral Area, Councillor Johnny Flynn called on Clare County Council, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), to increase the water freeflow under both the Aughavaddy and Gaurus bridges.According to Councillor Flynn, this is “urgently needed” for a number of reasons. He stated the action would “reduce the risk of flooding of a main access road to the town, adjoining properties and septic tanks in the area”.He added that it would also result in removing “the danger to traffic with ponding at this busy road, which has occured in the past and is identified by locals as a safety concern”. He commented that there is concern locally that “significant additional surface water from the salt barns being constructed will be diverted …
Read More »Council rejects neglected estates claim
MONEY collected from the property tax must be ringfenced to carry out work in unfinished estates in Ennis, one local councillor has insisted, as Clare County Council rejected claims that residents in these estates have been neglected.
Read More »Who’s taking the jetski to France?
IT’S not a case of who’s taking the horse to France, but who is taking the jetski, as two Clare men endeavour to jetski their way across the English Channel for charity.
Read More »Passion of St Flannan’s Terrace people remembered
WHEN Brian Dinan set out to document the history of St Flannan’s Terrace last August, little did he realise what lay ahead. At first he planned to produce a commemorative booklet within a few months. However, the wealth of photographic material and heart rending stories that emerged led Brian to delve even deeper. This research has resulted in the publication of new book A Terrace of Houses – A Passion of People, which will be launched by the Clare Roots Society next week. The book is based on the history of St Flannan’s Terrace and the people who lived there over the past 100 years. The book will be launched at 8pm on Thursday, May 30 in The Old Ground Hotel and all are welcome. Included in the book are 240 photos, most never seen by the public. There are reports on housing conditions of the early 20th century, the Urban Council’s role in building the scheme and a …
Read More »New app makes a big splash
A NEW app, brochure and DVD showcasing over 100 heritage sites in the Lough Derg area will be officially launched at a free conference next week.
Read More »Finding a Good Home for unwanted items
THEY say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure and one Ennis woman has certainly proved that. Just over one year ago, Tina Whelan set up the Clare Free to a Good Home Facebook page, along with some other like minded people. Since then, the page has gone from strenght to strenght, with 3,500 members.
Read More »Children’s safety ‘can’t all fall on council’
THE Department of Education and schools have a responsibility to provide adequate parking to ensure the safety of children, according to a senior council official, who commented, “It can’t all fall on the council.”
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