Regional

SERIOUS concerns about the bus services for Shannon secondary schools were voiced at this week’s meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. Councillor David Griffin (FF) put forward a motion calling on the National Transport Authority “to progress the upgrading of stop infrastructure, including timetabling and shelters, on the newly amended 343 bus route, most especially at pick up and drop off points for school transport users”. He said that since the changes were introduced some weeks ago, councillors have been “firefighting” while he said there should have been far more consultation with parents and school principals. Councillor Griffin said that elected representatives have been treated with a lot of disrespect, and that even a few simple changes to the services could have made the rejigged services “more acceptable and palatable”. He pointed out that 280 young people in Sixmilebridge and another 110 in Newmarket are accessing buses, without proper stops in place or an adequate number of bus shelters. Councillor …

Munster and Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey was quick off the mark once again when he officially opened a new €250,000 state-of-the-art impressive indoor astro turf facility at Scariff RFC on Sunday. Although small in stature, the former Ard Scoil Rís player had no problem passing a jersey to one side on a rail to unveil a plaque on the outside wall of this new all-weather 40 by 20 metres facility. Cheered on by a large crowd of Scariff RFC committee members, supporters and young rugby players, this unveiling marked a special milestone for a rugby club that was first founded in 1963. Family attractions to mark the occasion included a bouncy castle, barbeque and refreshments, underage rugby blitz and activities for children. Thanking Craig Casey for attending the official opening, Michael Madden hoped next summer he would become a Lions Rugby player. The Scariff RFC Chairman praised Munster Rugby Development Officer Gerry Casey, Craig’s father, for all the assistance he …

FARMERS and landowners who have lands with river frontage and rich species grassland have been urged to participate in a new Graney sub-catchment pilot results-based environmental water quality scheme. Expressions of interest were sought from land owners to get involved with the Waters of Life project at a public information meeting in Flagmount on Thursday night. Depending on the level of interest, Project Manager, Anne Goggin said the project team will adopt a screening process to assess which farmer can have the most impact, particularly those with river frontage who will be prioritised. Confirming that Coillte is a project partner, she said Coillte has committed resources to its involvement in this project. The project will examine what will be happening in forestry during its lifetime, risk assessing land in terms of acidity, looking at where their efforts should be focused and will then work with Coillte to minimise the impact of any forestry activities. While there isn’t a specified budget …

“I’M over the moon,” exclaims Ennis television presenter and journalist Zainab Boladale, speaking about the release of her debut Young Adult novel ‘Braids Take A Day’. “I’ve always wanted to write a book, to be an author was always something that had always been a dream of mine,” adds the 27-year-old Nationwide presenter. The coming-of-age novel centres on 17-year-old Abidemi, who can’t wait for summer, her last one at home in Ennistymon before she heads off to college. She’s ready to say goodbye to school, spend some time learning new braids and hairstyles – and see where things go with her friend Jack. But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel. Suddenly, life and family are changing and she needs to think hard about who she wants to be. Zainab, who was born in Nigeria and moved to Ennis aged four, explains the novel evolved from an initial idea for a small chapter she had …

A veterinary surgeon and certified veterinary herbalist from West Clare, who is now a newly fledged author, is set to launch a range of pet supplements as well as a book at the National Ploughing Championships next week. Dr Sinéad Mellett, who is originally from Carrigaholt has been developing the range of products for the past year and a half. She left general practice last year to start up the Natural Veterinary Company and its range of pet supplements has been formulated by the vet herself, and is manufactured in Ireland. “The supplements are for dogs and cats and have been developed using high dose herbal and marine ingredients, based on clinical research and evidence based medicine,” she said. “In general practice, healthier, alternative options for dogs and cats are few and far between and when I began my studies in herbalism and found the growing research base behind traditional medicine, as well as the repetitive results I was getting …

A Ballynacally childcare business owner has moved into her brand new premises this week, thanks to her father organising its construction in just five weeks. Twenty nine year old Laura Corbett had been running Laura’s Childcare providing a before and after school service out of Ballynacally National School since 2020 until June. Laura is from the village, had attended the local school herself, and was keen to provide a childcare service in her home place. And so, having purchased the former Daly’s pub in the village in January, when planning permission came through her father Martin, a builder, set to work on the project building the new facility from the ground up in five weeks. And with her dad’s help, Laura is certainly defying all the odds as many early learning and childcare operators are currently closing around the country due to increased public liability costs, higher operating costs, frozen fees, and issues around the Core funding grant. “It was …

The Shannon Airport Group is seeking planning permission for two new light industrial buildings in Ballymurtagh in the Shannon Free Zone West. In a statement the Shannon Airport Group said it “is seeking to add two new state-of-the-art industrial buildings to its commercial property portfolio at its Shannon Campus. “The Group has this week lodged a planning application to Clare County Council for the construction of a 63,000 square foot industrial unit and a 40,000 square foot research and development unit on a greenfield site in its Shannon Airport Business Park next to Shannon Airport. “If approved, this multi-million-euro investment will see two new buildings constructed to LEED international green building certification and NZEB/ZEB enabled building standards, that incorporate high energy performance throughout the building design process. “These developments would be the latest phase of a multi-year redevelopment project of the business park by The Shannon Airport Group, which has seen significant investment through the construction of several industrial and …

The people of Clare are being urged to get behind this year’s Alzheimer’s Memory Walk as plans are announced for an event in Ennis later this month. The fifth annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk takes place nationwide on Sunday, September 22. Set to be the largest Memory Walk to date, Fiona Staunton from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Ennis Centre is urging the people of Clare to register now and walk with her on the day for the Clare Memory Walk at 12 noon in Ennis’ John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Speaking ahead of the event Fiona commented, “Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is special because it brings people together, allowing us to share memories and stories. This year, I will be walking for my family members who are living with dementia, those who are no longer with us, and all the people I have had the privilege to know since I joined The Alzheimer Society of Ireland 16 years ago.  “I would encourage …