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North Clare

Burren edges closer to Geopark status

THE Burren and the Cliffs of Moher moved a step closer to achieving official Geopark status recently. Clare County Council, through the Burren Connect Project, submitted an application to the European Geoparks Network (EGN) for the European and Global Geoparks status for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher region of North Clare.The EGN was founded in 2000 to help protect geodiversity, to promote geological heritage among citizens and to support sustainable economic development of regions through the development of geo-tourism.The network currently consists of 37 territories in 15 European countries, two of which are in Ireland, the Copper Coast Geopark in Waterford and the Marble Arch Cave Geopark in Cavan and Fermanagh.“If successful, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark project will provide the area with an identity as a region for sustainable ecotourism that is recognised across Europe,” explained Edel Hayes of the Burren Connect Project.European Geopark status is a non-legislative designation and, as such, it has no impact …

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Swimmers raise €28,000 for Temple Street

A GROUP of swimmers who braved the high seas of the Atlantic during August met recently with a representative from Temple Street Children’s Hospital to officially hand over the fruits of their labour.The 13 swimmers of the Swim Aran group swam from Inisheer beach to Doolin Pier on August 21 in extremely tough conditions, under the watchful eye of 18 kayakers, Doolin Coastguard and other support boats.Participants included Ennis residents Pat Finn, Adrian Cosgrove, Niall O’Farrell, Kevin O’Farrell, Cian O’Sullivan, Mikey Milane, Donal McCarthy, Seamus Mulcahy and Aoife Cosgrove, Shannon man Colm Fitzgerald, Linda Clarke from Dublin and Limerick swimmers Paul Kearney and Deirdre Kearney.Aisling Andrews, fundraising coordinator from Temple Street, accepted the cheque for €28,184, which was raised by a number of events and collections in the run-up to the almost seven-mile swim, saying the Swim Aran team and all involved should be very proud of their achievement.Ms Andrews explained Temple Street has recently been appointed as the national …

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Lisdoonvarna plans on hold

PLANS to build a new classroom, woodwork store and carpark at Mary Immaculate School in Lisdoonvarna will have to be put on hold as An Board Pleanála considers an appeal against the proposals.

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Decision due on future of Blake’s Corner

CLARE County Council expects to make a decision on the future of the controversial Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon early in the new year, it emerged this week.The council was urged to take action in relation to the iconic buildings and the junction on which they are located by a number of public representatives.Local councillors stated they feel a decision on the future of the Blake and Linnane buildings is vital for the safety of pedestrians and motorists using the route to access local schools, Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher.The need to secure the buildings was raised at an Ennistymon Electoral Area meeting earlier this week by Ruan Councillor Joe Arkins, who asked for an update in relation to proposed changes to the junction. He tabled a motion at Monday’s meeting asking the senior executive engineer to give an “update on the proposed widening and improvement of the junction at Blake’s Corner, Ennistymon, the relocation of Blake’s and Linnane’s and …

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Scoil Mhuire girls to raise the roof with carols

PUPILS at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon will help everyone get into the Christmas spirit this weekend as they hold a festive evening of music and song at St Michael’s Church on Sunday.The 100-member Scoil Mhuire choir will perform songs from their debut CD, A Shining Night, backed by an instrumental ensemble at their recital from 8pm.Carols are an essential part of the Christmas experience for many people and with that in mind the choir, along with special guests, will combine their talents to present a concert of familiar and new carols, directed by Patricia Dooley.A spokesperson for the choir outlined, “The sound of Christmas carols sung by a talented school choir is an important and familiar part of Christmas and there is nothing quite like the warmth of the sound of pure voices filling this beautiful church. In Ennistymon, the tradition of the Scoil Mhuire carol recital is well developed and refined over the years and has become an important …

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Traders gear up for Christmas season

CHRISTMAS preparations are underway in North Clare as towns and villages up their game to keep people shopping local.Lisdoonvarna will host its first ever Burren Christmas Family Fair in aid of local crèche, Cois Ceim, next weekend, while Ballyvaughan Christmas Market will take place over three weekends this year.The Burren Christmas Family Fair takes place in the Town Hall in Lisdoonvarna on the weekend of December 4 and 5. Work began on the fundraiser back in February when the crèche’s chef got talking with some local parents.Stephen D’Arcy explained, “The Government has slashed grants for crèches, making it difficult for the people who run them to keep them open and viable. I work as a chef in the crèche and I got together with some of the parents there to see if we could come up with something, which might raise a bit of money. Initially, we were just going to have a Santa’s Grotto but then it took off …

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