Regional

A MILLIONAIRE Clare farmer has escaped a speeding conviction after disputing a garda’s “geography” of the area where he was stopped, writes Ronan Judge. At Ennis District Court last week, Judge Mary Larkin told John Joseph McCabe (84) that she was giving him the benefit of the doubt and striking out the speeding summons against him. Mr McCabe, a retired farmer with an address at Skehanagh, Clarecastle, denied the allegation that he was driving in excess of the speeding limit at Ennis Road, Clare Commons, on August 7, 2020. In evidence, Garda Darren Lynch said he recorded a Toyota Hilux driven by McCabe, allegedly at a speed of 73km in a 50km zone. The court heard a fixed charge penalty notice was issued and went unpaid. McCabe sold 48 acres of land near Clarecastle in the mid-2000s in a multi million euro deal that was the largest in Clare during the Celtic Tiger era. He is also a former local …

GORT River Walk recently saw the launch of a unique geolocated audio experience along its banks that celebrates the legacy of a famous Irish composer. David Murray, who has worked tirelessly with his colleagues in Gort to make the River Walk what it is, launched the Carolan’s Rambles Sound Walk and praised the vision of Sinead Hayes and Katharina Baker who drove the project along despite the unsettling year that has been. The roots of this venture span back to the 1700s when composer and famed musician Turlough Carolan was busy entertaining his hosts throughout Connaught, Clare and south Ulster until his death in 1738, at the age of 68. The year 2020 was the 350th anniversary of the birth of Turlough Carolan and Sinead Hayes, a young Galway musician, has made sure that we remember the legacy that Carolan has left to Irish music. Together with Katharina Baker of Coole Music and Arts, they have encouraged a phenomenal outpouring …

ONE of Ireland’s premier celebrity couples have been living it up in the Banner county in recent days. Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman have been busy making their appreciation for Clare known via their instagram accounts. Recent posts by the couple have attracted a huge amount of attention and a thousand welcomes from Clare users of the platform The former rugby international sought dining recommendations on his Instagram stories. Actor Huberman has also been busy posting highlights of her trip. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Huberman (@amy_huberman) Clare people were quick to weigh in with suggestions to O’Driscoll’s request and some al fresco dining on Kilkee beach ensued. Huberman’s picture of her chips from Nolan’s attracted over 17,600 likes.

“BEGGARS can’t be choosers” Aer Lingus CEO Lynn Embleton was told on Tuesday, in response to the airline’s repeated demand that the airline not be required to give guarantees on connectivity, in return for taxpayer’s money. Ms Embleton ruled out any reversal of the decision to close the Shannon cabin crew base, a move that she claimed would actually hinder the resumption of Aer Lingus flights from the airport. At the meeting Clare TD Joe Carey put it to her that the real reason for the closure, was to get out workers who have been with the company for long periods. “I’d like you to back up your charge that the cabin crew base in Shannon is inefficient, because that’s your charge. “Really and truly could you not admit that the only reason you’re targeting Shannon is because of the loyal service that the base has delivered there, because these people are working there between 20 and 34 years,” he …

GARDAÍ are seeking the public’s help in identifying a car which is thought to have been used in a South East Clare burglary. A shop in Broadford was broken into in the early hours of last Thursday morning and a cigarette machine and the drawer of the cash register stolen. A silver Audi is believed to have been used in the incident, and gardaí are appealing to anybody with information to contact them. Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks explains that the break-in to the shop on the main street of Broadford village occurred between 3.30am and 3.45am on Thursday morning, June 24. “The shutter mechanism was interfered with and the front door was smashed in. The cigarette machine was forced off the wall and stolen along with the drawer of the cash register. A silver Audi A3 five door vehicle was believed to be used in this burglary. If anyone was in the area between 3am and 4am …

SAINT Clare’s school in Ennis has been given the go-ahead to open two additional classes in September 2021 and again in 2022. Principal John Murphy has said this is “wonderful news” for the school. “The ongoing engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Department of Education has been very positive and confirms that St Clare’s school remains a first choice of parents for children with additional needs,” he said. St Clare’s school has grown and developed significantly in the last two years increasing the roll from 54 two years ago to 83 in September 2021 and is projected to hit 100 learners in 2022. Mr Murphy said that this “is a great tribute to the staff at school who are touching the future everyday and dealing with young people’s dreams”. “This welcome news arrived at the same time as the award of the school’s Amber Flag, Active Flag and a forth Green Flag rounding off a …

THE ESB has unveiled plans for the proposed development of a “world-class” visitor attraction at Ardnacrusha Power Station, writes Dan Danaher. Clare’s Dáil deputies have received a briefing on the project on Tuesday where it was confirmed the ESB is currently undertaking a feasibility study to establish the business case for a visitor experience at the site of Ireland’s first electricity generating station. The plan includes a 360-degree virtual amphitheatre, a café, which will offer sustainable locally sourced food, a retail unit hosting local artisan crafts and products, and family oriented outdoor spaces. Comprising five floor floors, the attraction seeks to inspire and educate through social, engineering, architecture and STEAM-related stories and interactive exhibits. ESB first began facilitating public tours of its Ardnacrusha Power Station in June 1928, and welcomed more than 85,000 visitors within the first nine months. To mark the 90th anniversary of its foundation, ESB revived this tradition in 2017 when visitors were welcomed to the Ardnacrusha …

THE green light has been given for traffic calming measures to be introduced in Ennis at a location where cars are travelling at speeds “way past any acceptable level”. A special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard details of the proposed works at Cappahard on the Tulla Road and a local route known as The Lane. The project involves the construction of a new footpath from Cappahard Lane to where it meets the Tulla Road. Works will include the installation of kerbing and tarmac footpath, dished kerbing, tactile paving, signage, road gullies and the installation of drainage pipes. The plans also include road markings, and additional ducts for eight lighting lamp standards. The project went out to public consultation and four submissions were received. Among the submissions there were calls for signage to denote ‘Children at Play’ with one stating, “There are some cars which travel at speed which would be way past any acceptable level.” Councillor Johnny Flynn …