Regional

WHEN former county and town manager Joe Boland retired in 1983, it was said monuments to him could be seen by looking all around Ennis. That is as true today as it was 20 years ago, those gathered at a civic reception held in his honour by Ennis Town Council were told this week.The civic reception was awarded to Mr Boland in recognition of his contribution to local government over a 40-year period, including his 23-year-term as Clare county and Ennis town manager.At the event, Mr Boland, who was joined by his wife, Catherine; daughter,  Rosita and grandson, Liam, said he felt “deeply honoured” by the occasion. The Kerry native recalled, “I came to Clare on April 1, 1960, more than a half century ago and I came to stay”.He told how he declined a Government nomination for a senior post in Brussels as Ireland entered what was then the EEC because he wanted to stay in Clare. He spoke …

THE Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board are inviting the business community to meet with the delegates from the sister city of Phoenix, Arizona during their visit to the county this week. Any businesses, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors, are welcome to attend the Business and Tourism Breakfast Forum on Friday at the Temple Gate Hotel from 8.45am to 10am.The forum will be chaired by Ronan Dillon, technical director, Microsemi Ireland Ltd. Guest speakers will include Ger Dollard, director of services and Ennis town manager; Brian O’Neill, Promote Ennis; Rita McInerney, Ennis Chamber and Phoenix City Councilman, Michael Johnson.The event is free of charge and full Irish breakfast is provided. However, places are limited so booking is required. Bookings can be made by contacting Margaret Neylon at Ennis Chamber by email to info@ennischamber.ie or calling 065 684 2988 by this Thursday.Phoenix Week 2013 will mark the 25th anniversary of twinning between the town of Ennis and the US city …

Snowflakes fell in the sunshine at the Church of Ireland in Kilkishen last Monday morning and indication perhaps that, despite the harsh conditions, a bright future lies ahead for the rejuvenation of the East Clare village. Deputy Pat Breen officially turned the sod kick starting the construction phase of the Kilkishen Church of Ireland restoration project on Monday morning where a large crowd gathered to mark this momentous occasion. The site was also blessed by local parish priest Fr Donal Dwyer and chairperson of the restoration committee Mike Hogan welcomed those present. He said after much talk and umpteen fundraising events the committee was finally at the important stage to progress the project to the construction phase. “This project has been talked about for so long but we have finally, with the help of a lot of people, made it happen. We are at the stage where we are convinced that this is the place for our cultural centre, which …

Suffering from unemployment and emigration of its young people, the community of East Clare has not been immune to the effects of the economic downturn, but a newly formed group is aiming to tackle this issue head on. Rather than accepting continued austerity, the newly-formed East Clare Development group, chaired by Sean Bugler, has set itself the objective of developing a sustainable, prosperous and vibrant future for East Clare. One of the objectives of the group is to put together a development plan. With this in mind three sub-committees were established to focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Farming and Developing a Unique Tourist Experience. Their work will include developing initiatives to create, support and encourage local employment opportunities to give young people the option to live and work in their own community. “Farming has been important in the past to East Clare and will equally be important into the future and this sub-group will work on driving initiatives that …

CONTROVERSIAL bylaws preventing overnight camping in areas of Kinvara were passed by Galway County Council recently.Councillors voted unanimously to pass a new Kinvara bylaw, which prohibits temporary dwellings at Kinvara Pier, a move that has caused outrage among sections of the local community.However, an objection to the decision is to be lodged with the Minister for Local Government Dominic Gallagher, chairman of the Kinvara Community Council, said the decision sent the wrong message and stressed, “Kinvara is a tourist town; tourists are welcome here”.The community council held a number of meetings on the proposals in recent months, where Mr Gallagher said, “every side got a fair hearing”.“The first meeting was called in Johnston’s hostel and more than 100 people attended and there were speakers from lots of backgrounds. There were representatives from the fishermen, the sailing club, people from Cruinniu na mBád, people in the tourist industry, people from the campervan movement and there was the general public. All of …

FR Tommy Marrinan PP has been appointed grand marshall for the Gort St Patrick’s Day Parade to be held next Monday.He follows a long list of marshalls, who have taken on the position over the years.Fr Tommy, a native of Lahinch, has been parish priest in Gort for the past five years. He had been chaplain at UCHG for the previous 11 years. He is an accomplished harmonica player and plays for charity events with local musicians, Colie Moran, Willie Doorhy, Paddy Jordan and P J Brady.The parade will start on Monday with the traditional blessing of the shamrock immediately after a special mass at 12.15pm.All entrants should be in place at Church Street for the start at 1pm. The parade will be lead by a colour party of Gort Reserve Defence Force, followed by St Patrick’s Pipe Band, Tulla. Participants are observing strict secrecy regarding the nature of their floats and entries on foot. The official theme of the …

A NEW vision for the development of Ennis in the post-recession era was unveiled  this week as part of a ceremony marking the 400th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Ennis.  

THIS year’s Burren Spring Gathering, formerly the Burren Spring Conference, will examine the theme of Between Place and Space: New Perspectives on the Burren and takes place later this month.