North Clare

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 …

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 …

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 …

`NEARLY €90,000 has been allocated to Inagh Housing Association to provide a communal facility in the North Clare village.Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen confirmed the funding earlier this week.“After making representations on behalf of the Housing Association, I received confirmation this week from Michael Finneran, Minister for Housing and Social Services, that the funding is being made available,” stated Minister Killeen.“Inagh Housing Association completed 12 units of accommodation in Inagh in 2004, which they received funding for under the Capital Assistance Programme. Clare County Council submitted an application to the department earlier this year for funding of €90,000 for Inagh Housing Association to provide a communal facility for the residents. “I am delighted that this application has now been approved by the department and Clare County Council will be in touch with the association in this regard and to facilitate draw-down,” he added.

The news of Riordans star Moira Hoey’s passing was greeted with sadness in Ballyvaughan, an area she visited many times throughout her 88 years.

A book featuring an interview with the late Ennistymon man PJ Davis has been shortlisted for this year’s Irish Book Awards.

Local ecotourism businesses came together last Saturday to remove rubbish and recently-built mini-cairns at Blackhead and Murrooghtoohy on the Burren’s Coast Road.

A North Clare hotel has earned “the equivalent of a Michelin Star”, thanks to the quality cooking of chef Mickael Viljanen and his team.