North Clare

TWO years after an earthquake devastated the island of Haiti, efforts are still ongoing to support the many people affected by the disaster.Corofin’s Jacinta McGuane is in her second year volunteering in Haiti with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos International, an organisation caring for orphaned and abandoned children in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1954.Jacinta, from Scoole, is working as a special needs education teacher in the St Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti. Reflecting on the earthquake, Jacinta said, “It is two years since Port-au-Prince and its environs were shaken until they collapsed, Haiti and its resilient people have moved on. Since the earthquake, they have seen thousands fall ill and die from cholera, especially during the rainy season which includes the hurricane season.”Jacinta works high in the mountains overlooking Port-au-Prince in the Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, Kay St Helene orphanage. She works with Gena Hegarty, who is due to receive an award from Bill Clinton during Haiti week, from …

Members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit were called to examine what appeared to be a suspicious military device washed up at Lahinch Beach last Saturday night.A member of the public had reported having seen what he believed to be a suspicious device on the beach to Ennistymon gardaí, who in turn contacted the Army Bomb Disposal Unit at about 9pm.According to a spokesman for the Irish Defence Forces, the unit arrived from Cork to examine the object at Lahinch Beach at 11.30pm.Doolin Coast Guard was also tasked to assist Ennistymon gardaí and Ennistymon Fire and Rescue Service at the Northern end of the Beach and cordoned off the area.The Doolin Coast Guard quad bike was used to transport some army equipment and lighting to the site.The Army Bomb Disposal Unit examined what proved to be an industrial gas cylinder. A short time later, they performed a controlled explosion to ensure no gas would escape. Having been in the water …

Clare County Council has come under fire for threatening legal action against a North Clare man for alleged illegal parking in Ennistymon, where new bylaws had not yet been introduced.Brian O’Halloran, Booladuff, Inagh was issued with a parking ticket on December 2 last at an area near the entrance gates to the Falls Hotel, despite the fact new parking bylaws were not due to come into effect until January 2012.In addition to increasing the parking ticket from €40 to €60 once the ticket wasn’t paid within 28 days, he was warned that legal proceedings would be instigated without further notice unless he paid this fine within 56 days from the alleged offence.Mr O’Halloran confirmed late on Tuesday evening that he had received a letter in the post from Clare County Council which stated his appeal had been successful and he believes the authority will no longer be pursuing the matter.“The name of the place where my car was parked Falls …

PLANS for the provision of a single storey studio building at Doolin Cave have been submitted to Clare County Council.John and Helen Browne are seeking planning permission to construct a pottery studio/workshop at Doolin Cave, Craggycoradan West, Doolin.An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission on the same site for a major visitor reception building with shop, café and display area, coach and car park, wastewater treatment and related site facilities at Doolin Cave, subject to 17 conditions, despite some objections in September 2009.One of the planning conditions stipulated that visitor numbers could not exceed 55,000 in any calendar year in the interest of the orderly development of the site and safeguarding the long-term viability of the cave system.The latest planning application, which was submitted by Limerick City-based architect, Josefina Fernández Frelier, is for a single storey artist’s studio to be built within the same site premises and connecting to existing site services.According to Mr Frelier, the proposed studio will be built …

YEARS of endeavour by a well-known North Clare community activist were officially recognised at the first annual Lisdoonvarna Parish People of the Year awards in the local Pavillion Theatre on Friday last.Joe Garrihy received a standing ovation when he received the Outstanding Achievement Award for the vision and hard work that culminated in the development of the €3.5 million North Clare Sports and Amenity Park in Lisdoonvarna. The state-of-the-art development includes a community field, playground, crèche, astro-turf facility and upgrading of the pavillion.Having paid tribute to people in the locality for their help over the years, Mr Garrihy singled out long-serving Lisdoonvarna Fáilte director, Tom Connolly for special mention.Over 350 people packed the pavillion to see people from Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Kilshanny honoured for their community work. All the proceeds from the event will go towards reducing the outstanding debt for the North Clare Sports and Amenity Park, which is believed to be in the region of €314,000.Paddy Dunne and …

BURREN Connect was established in November 2006 to develop sustainable tourism and environmental protection of the Burren. It immediately began work to achieve Geopark status for the area. “The reason we decided to do it is because Geoparks are regions that have very good quality natural and heritage features. In these locations, conservation and awareness are going hand in hand with economic development and tourism. We thought that would work for the Burren,” Carol Gleeson explained.According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), a Geopark is an area with geological heritage of international significance and where heritage is being used to promote the sustainable development of the local communities who live there.Those living there balance stunning views of a unique landscape with the sometimes stifling rules and regulations that come with its official classifications. They were not, therefore, rash in their enthusiasm for a new title for the Burren. Getting the backing of local people required a convincing …

THE Blake’s Corner saga took a new twist recently when Clare County Council revealed it could not install a pedestrian crossing in the area because proposals for the future of the junction would involve a change to the road alignment.Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery enquired at the recent North Clare area meeting whether or not the council plans to install pedestrian crossings in Ennistymon, while Fianna Fáil’s Richard Nagle called on the local authority to arrange to put in place pedestrian crossings at Church Street, Parliament Street, Main Street and at the bridge in the town.However, a written response from Clare County Council revealed it is not possible to construct pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of Blake’s Corner until after the completion of work on the junction, which cannot begin until after a Part 8 planning application is filed.“Clare County Council recognise the need for pedestrian crossings at Ennistymon and they form part of the plans for traffic management in …