North Clare

THE damage caused to coastal areas by the recent  storms may leave a question mark over the future status of Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards locations, it has emerged. Clare’s Blue Flag beaches are Cappa, near Kilrush; Kilkee,  White Strand, Doonbeg; Fanore, in addition to Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon on Lough Derg. The issue will be high on the agenda  will be discussed at the annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Award conference in Dublin, on Wednesday. The conference will be attended by coastal  local authority representatives, as well as Blue Flag and Green Coast Award jury members. Annabel FitzGerald, coastal programmes manager, An Taisce said, “There are some serious concerns for some candidate Blue Flag and Green Coast Award beaches that have been left devastated by the recent storms particularly where infrastructure such as access roads, carparks and other amenities have been destroyed.” These are among the 32 imperative criteria required to achieve Blue Flag status. She added, “Local Authorities work …

THE management and promotion of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark as a sustainable destination has been officially recognised by one of the world’s foremost tourism and travel award schemes. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has confirmed the Geopark is one of 18 finalists for its 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, just two months after the Clare destination was shortlisted for a top honour in the 2013 World Responsible Tourism Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the highest accolades in the global travel and tourism industry, recognising sustainable tourism best practices in businesses and destinations worldwide, ranging from local destinations to global hotel groups, international airlines, luxury tour operators and small eco-lodges. Award applications were received this year from 56 countries, representing all continents. The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark has been shortlisted alongside Bonito (Brazil) and Temes SA in Costa Navarino (Greece) as Destination Award finalists for “showing commitment to supporting and …

THE North Clare economy will get a “huge boost” later this year after Lisdoonvarna was selected as one of the stage ends in this year’s An Post Rás. On Wednesday, it was revealed the 2014 of the race will travel anti-clockwise around Ireland, beginning in Dunboyne on Sunday, May 18 and featuring stage end finishes in Roscommon, Lisdoonvarna, Charleville, Cahirciveen, Clonakilty, Carrick-on-Suir, Baltinglass and Skerries. Billy Archbold was Rás stage-end organiser when it last stopped in the North Clare town back in 2008. He will be involved again this year. “This is a huge boost. It kick starts the the tourist season. So many people know Lisdoonvarna for the matchmaking festival, which is world-renowned but there are 11 other months of the year and there needs to be something else. There is a huge spin off publicity-wise in terms of radio, press and television coverage as a result of the Rás,” he said. Mr Archbold expects between 400 and 500 …

FARMERS in North and West Clare may boycott the majority of marts in the county if Ennistymon Mart is sold, a local representative has said. The possible sale of the town-centre site to a discount retailer has provoked anger among the farming community in the mart’s catchment area of Ennistymon, Kilshanny, Doolin, Liscannor, Miltown Malbay, Mullagh, and Inagh. Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association will meet on Wednesday next to discuss what action to take in relation to the possible sale. “I expect that members will look at a peaceful protest outside Clare Marts in Ennis and maybe we will contact Aldi too because they should know that local people aren’t very happy about this,” said Tom Clair, vice chairman of the Ennistymon branch of the IFA. “There is outrage in the area. We want the mart here to stay open. If this goes ahead now, there won’t be a place for a farmer to park his bicycle in his …

THE second annual Doolin Short Story Competition, details of which were announced on Monday, offers both experienced and budding writers an opportunity to put their skills to the test. An attractive prize fund should help to stir the writers’ creativity. Hotel Doolin has confirmed a prize fund of €1,000 will be awarded to the winning entrant, with prizes of €600 and €400 prizes for the second and third placed entries respectively. The winning entries will be announced at the Doolin Writers’ Weekend on March 28 to 30. Competition entries will be judged this year by Anthony Glavin, former editor of New Irish Writing in the Irish Press (1986-88) and former commissioning editor with New Island Books (1994-2004). The Boston-born author has published two story collections, One for Sorrow and The Draughtsman and The Unicorn. His stories have also appeared in many Irish, UK and US anthologies, while is also the author of a critically acclaimed novel, Nighthawk Alley. The second …

THE  Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark’s management and promotion  as a sustainable destination has gained international attention. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has confirmed the Geopark as one of 18 finalists for its 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, just two months after the Clare destination was shortlisted for a top honour in the 2013 World Responsible Tourism Awards. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry, recognising sustainable tourism best practices in businesses and destinations worldwide, ranging from local destinations to global hotel groups, international airlines, luxury tour operators and small eco-lodges. Award applications were received this year from 56 countries, representing all continents. The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark has been shortlisted alongside Bonito (Brazil) and Temes S.A. – Costa Navarino (Greece) as ‘Destination Award’ finalists for “showing commitment to supporting and delivering sustainable tourism best practices in their destinations.” Winners and finalists will be recognised …

By Nicola Corless THE  Burren Farming for Conservation Programme will be included in new Rural Development Programme, it had been confirmed. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Simon Coveney announced that €12.5 billion of funds will be sanctioned through the Irish Government and the CAP’s Pillar II programme to the agriculture sector in the period up to 2020. Clare TD Pat Breen said that inclusion of Burren Farming for Conservation Programme in the new Rural Development Programme and the proposals to introduce a new agri-environment scheme were particularly welcome. “I am in regular contact with the farming community and I am very much aware to the challenges facing farm families at this time. Indeed, the recent storm has placed Clare farmers under further pressures with thousands of acres of land now under water,” Deputy Breen said. “There was a very good uptake from Clare farmers for the previous REPS and AEOS scheme and the GLAS scheme will build on the …