Regional

A DECISION by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for 48 houses in Shannon, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Woodhaven Developments was granted planning permission for the Smithstown development, but an appeal has been submitted on behalf of Edward Keena, owner of the Oakwood Hotel. The document notes the site and wider landholding associated with the proposed masterplan area, essentially wraps around the rear of the Treacy’s Oakwood Hotel. “The hotel owner is not satisfied that sufficient consideration has been given to the extent to which the proposed development may impact on the operation and day to day running of the hotel with particular reference to the function room and noise impact.” The document added, “While not averse to development of the subject lands, the primary concern of the hotel owner is the potential for the proposed development to impact on the current operation of the hotel with particular reference to night time use and functions. “The …

HISTORIC church ruins at Clonrush, Whitegate, have been conserved thanks to an initiative between the local community, the council and the National Monuments Service. A socially distanced review of the works was facilitated in recent weeks between members of Whitegate Community Council and the local authority, at the 12th century monastic complex which is dedicated to St Colmán. Restoration works were carried out to safeguard the historic church ruins, which were at risk of collapse and had deteriorated in recent years. The main focus of the conservation works was the ruins of the stone church, but the site also contains many interesting remnants of its ecclesiastical past, including the monks’ house (Tig na mBráthar), original arched entrance gate and a little, stone-roofed oratory known as Poll Cholmáin (St Colmán’s Cave). The churchyard also contains many fine examples of carved memorials and ironwork from the 18th and 19th centuries. The works on the church and the archway gate were carried out …

AN Ennis gym is shaping up to help ensure those in need have a merry Christmas, and is urging people to get involved and show its support, writes Jessica Quinn. Ozone Health and Fitness has once again teamed up with a group of local volunteers led by Kathleen Austin to launch a food drive to support “genuine families in need” in Ennis and the county. This endeavour will not just help these families at Christmas but also into the months ahead. A donation box has been installed at the gym reception in the Quin Road Business Park and people are being encouraged to drop in non-perishable food or other household items for distribution to those in need. Last year the appeal saw €3,000 worth of food and other essential supplies donated, and according to owner Ken O’Malley they hope to help even more this year. He told The Champion, “Last year we teamed up with an extraordinary group of local …

PROPOSALS for the refurbishment of a forecourt on the outskirts of Ennis have been refused planning permission over the potential “adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Ennis and Clarecastle”. Maxol Limited had applied for planning permission to refurbish and rearrange the internal area of the foodhall of the existing forecourt on the Ennis Road, Clarecastle. According to the application the plans would allow for an expansion of the existing deli offering to include a branded hot-food takeaway, with 20 people to be employed. Under the proposal an existing children’s play area, closed since March 2020 due to Covid “and difficulties of ensuring safe sanitation levels for future use” would have been removed to allow for a reallocation of foodhall space to provide a new layout. Clare County Council planners assessing the proposal expressed concerns that the development would result in “intensification of the existing use on site”. “I consider the development would become a destination in its own …

AN overpass should be constructed at the Clareabbey Roundabout to allow pedestrians and cyclists cross safely, Ennis’ deputy mayor has insisted, accusing Transport Infrastructure Ireland of “dragging its heels” on safety concerns. Councillor Paul Murphy has described the roundabout on the N85 as “a disaster from day one that needs to be addressed immediately”. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the Clarecastle councillor said it “beggars belief that TII are still dragging their heels, still having reviews and studies, and there is nothing concrete going on.” The councillor, who has regularly highlighted the danger the roundabout poses to cyclists and walkers who wish to cross the road, said that it has “cut off the village of Clarecastle and Ennis from each other”. The councillor had sought a progress update on a preliminary design report which was required to be submitted to TII before final approval. He also urged that a pedestrian and cyclist overpass be designed with …

DOG fouling continues to be a “huge issue” in Killaloe, despite extensive efforts to encourage responsible ownership, the municipal district committee has been told. At last month’s meeting, Councillor Tony O’Brien called for the installation of special bins in the town to allow those walking their dogs to dispose of excrement. While the senior executive engineer (SEE) said that bins may not be necessary, as the existing ones can take dog litter, she gave an undertaking to look at the possibility of providing dispensers for litter bags. In a written response to Councillor O’Brien’s motion, SEE Niamh Madden noted that the majority of people walking dogs in public spaces are conscientious about picking up dog litter. “Unfortunately, still some dog owners … do not take proper responsibility in relation to dog fouling,” she said. “Providing dispensers and dog litter bags has benefits and encourages dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities.” Ms Madden noted that despite the best efforts …

EFFORTS to improve a local beauty spot for the enjoyment of the entire county have been given a €50,000 financial boost, however a lot more funding is needed to complete the project. Funding of €50,000 has been approved for the Ballyallia Lake Amenity Enhancement Plan under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton, who worked with Barefield Tidy Towns in launching the Ballyallia Lake Amenity Enhancement Plan, while welcoming the funding announcement says she is hopeful that the project has now been “put on the map” when it comes to securing much needed additional money. “We are delighted that we are starting to see money coming in because there is quite a big project in Ballyallia and it will take a lot of money over a long period of time. “This is really the start of the opportunity to enhance Ballyallia. We have done the feasibility study, the recommendations are there, and we want to …

TO MARK the 100th anniversary of the Glenwood Ambush the local memorial committee have produced a Centenary Book, which is now on sale in the run up to Christmas.  The publication contains a number of versions of what actually happened on ambush day January 20, 1921, and the later reprisals by the Black and Tans. There are some details also of a number of the participating volunteers, in as much as was possible to get the information. These include Martin ‘Neighbour’ McNamara, Joe Clancy, Tom McGrath, Mattie McGrath, James Hogan, Paddy McCarthy, Jackie Ryan, Jimmy McInerney, Miko Neville, Dinny Minogue, Mick Moloney, Mick Shaughnessy, Tom McInerney, Michael Cleary, Peter St Ledger, Dan Lenihan, Joseph McNamara, Tadhg McGrath, Mick O’Dea, Paddy Quinn, Jack O’Grady. Jack Egan, Jack Curley, Tom McMahon, John Joe McNamara, Jack Quinn and Michael Quinn.  The publication also includes a number of very informative and readable articles, including ‘The Combatants in the War of Independence’ by Michael McNamara; …