North Clare

A CALL has come from the new Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District for local and secondary roads to be given back to local communities to provide safe places for people to cycle between local towns and villages. Councillor Joe Garrihy told the June meeting of the district that, during lockdown, record numbers of people had been able to safely walk and cycle and get to know their localities. “I saw people of every age out cycling,” he said. “My 14 year-old son learned how to cycle on roads he wouldn’t have been able to travel previously. We are all aware of how dangerous North Clare roads can be. Lately, people have been able to cycle and walk in a safe manner. We also have a vast number of roads in the district which poses a challenge in terms of maintenance.” Reacting to a council response outlining the complexity of making his motion a reality, Councillor Garrihy said he …

WITH strict Covid-19 social distancing guidelines still in place, John Davoren has trained his famous sheepdogs at Caherconnell cashel fort in the Burren to demonstrate the concept. It makes for interesting viewing in an online Facebook video for those who might be contemplating visiting the award-winning visitor attraction after it reopens next week. The Border collies separate the sheep into small groups and get them to stay there no matter what distractions there might be. Farming in an area where his family has lived for centuries, John began training dogs, teaching a variety of dogs to work with both sheep and cattle when he was a teenager. Unable to open for 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic put the country into lockdown, John now has everything at the ready to allow visitors walk through the ancient stone fort and see the sheepdog demonstrations without any worries of being too close to anybody else but family members. His unique enterprise attracts people …

THERE’S been something of a silver lining for the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon since the Covid-19 restrictions imposed on the construction and hardware sector were lifted almost two weeks ago. “Were able to hire a cherry picker and go ahead with the outside painting ourselves. Myself and my brother, John took it on and our father, Dan looked after the lower bits. It was no bother and it saved us a fair bit of money,” said the hotel’s general manager. Michael is passing on the opportunity to partially reopen the Falls on June 29, when the lockdown will be further relaxed to allow cafés and restaurants providing on-premises food and drink operate, where they can comply with social distancing measures and have strict cleaning in operation He said they are planning to reopen on July 20 but are awaiting details of regulations that will impact how the hotel operates. Meanwhile, he’s happy to report that the reservation desk has been …

GARDAÍ in Ennistymon are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Michael Healy, 35 years, who was last seen in the Doolin area on Tuesday, April 28 Michael is described as being 5 foot 10 inches in height with a stocky build. He has brown hair, a beard and also wears glasses. When last seen, Michael was wearing a dark (charcoal colour) knee-length jacket, a white shirt with a red stripe, blue jeans and blue Asics runners with white soles. He was also carrying a black backpack. Michael’s family are very concerned for his welfare. Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is asked to contact Ennistymon Garda station on 065 707 2180, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

BALLYVAUGHAN Bay Hop launched their fast ferry trial last Sunday. Crowds gathered for the official launch, ahead of a two-week trial of the service next month. If successful, the trial could secure the future of a permanent commuter ferry service from Ballyvaughan to Galway City.

DEVELOPMENTS in the relationship between the Dublin and London governments over the past year “give a great cause for concern” the Opposition leader Michael Martin stated as he opened this year’s Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna last week.Deputy Martin was addressing the theme, Are Ireland and Northern Ireland growing apart?

AN internationally-known reverend returns to North Clare later this month to hold the Irish launch of his new book, which was partially written in the area.

Just two months after it was opened, North Clare’s latest activity tourism initiative is yielding results.  Already thousands of people have taken to the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, a 12k route developed at a cost of €400,000.