Regional

Clare County Council Senior Engineer, Tom Tiernan, says the council, “utterly refutes and condemns” any implication that it has or will not fully consider submissions made in relation to the €120 million Northern Distributor Road project.“It is not in Clare County Council’s interests to pursue the identification of any route corridor other than the most appropriate one.  While it would not be possible to identify a route that would satisfy all individual requirements, we wish to get to a point where potential adverse impact is minimised and where mitigation measures to emerge in the detailed design at a later stage will result in an acceptable outcome from the points of view of all stakeholders.“Now that all submissions are in, they are being assessed methodically and every point articulated in them will be considered in detail before any conclusions are finalised regarding acceptance of a Preferred Route Corridor,” he said.Secretary of the Concerned Northern Distributor Road group, Zinaida Nourreddine recalled during …

A talented young Killaloe swimmer has stepped up his gruelling training programme in the lead up to his first Paralympic swimming competition later this summer.Jonathan McGrath, who swims between 8,000 and 9,000m six days a week, will head off for a special training camp in Portugal on August 16 before he travels to the Paralympic village in London on August 24.The Paralympics start on August 29 and the 19 year-old is looking forward to participating in the 400m freestyle event.Speaking to The Clare Champion, Jonathan admitted he is delighted to get a place on the Irish Paralympic Swimming team.“It is a dream come true to participate in the Paralympics.“Training is going very well and I feel way better than I did before previous world and European competitions. I know a few of the Irish swimmers who are competing in the Olympics so I can ask them what the pool is like when they finish their event.“I haven’t swam in the …

HOUSING Minister Jan O’Sullivan is on a collision course with Clare county councillors over their controversial decision to retain residential zoning for four acres of development land in Quin, contrary to the recommendation of county manager, Tom Coughlan.In fact, Minister O’Sullivan has effectively put the councillors’ zoning decision on hold for the rest of the year, having sent the council a draft direction seeking another public consultation process.It also means well-known developer, Brian McCarthy of Brian McCarthy Contractors Limited, who purchased the land at Feighquin, a few years ago when it was zoned residential, will be left in limbo about its planning status, probably for the next six months.There were plans initially for up to 21 houses for older people, which was supported by a local committee and the developer to meet this requirement in the locality. However, Government funding dried up a few years ago.This zoning was part of the 2012 to 2018 Draft South Clare Local Area Plan, …

A MAJOR upgrading and refurbishment of Feakle Community Hall could cost in the region of €80,000, it emerged this week.Munster Muintir na Tire development officer, James O’Neill will address local residents at another public meeting in the widely used community centre next Monday night at 9pm.It is expected Mr O’Neill will draw on his wealth of experience in the organisation to provide valuable information on how the local community will tackle a major project like this and raise a substantial amount of funds.Even though no definitive figures have been provided for the overall refurbishment cost, initial estimates suggest it could cost up to €80,000. The local hall committee hope a grant of €65,000 or three-quarters of the overall cost may be provided by the Clare Local Development Company leaving a local contribution of €25,000.The programme of works includes the replacement of the existing roof with a steel structure over a ring beam covered with Kingspan KS insulated roof panels, the …

Behind an old photograph of three women in their finery is a familiar story. A long way from their North Clare home emigrant sisters line up for a picture together in New York.Theresa, Eileen and Susan Hanrahan pose for a photograph in New York City. It is April 17, 1914, the day Eileen arrived aboard the Lusitania. Just over a year later the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the German army, sinking in less than 20 minutes and bringing with it 1,200 people. As the young women smile for the photographer the war has not yet started, the world is at peace and the girls from Ballybeg, Inagh have things to do. “Theresa and Susan met Eileen upon her arrival. They went to Theresa’s home in the South Bronx, and almost immediately walked to a nearby photographic studio on Willis Avenue. The three sisters are wearing their best clothes, and the photo was obviously important to them as the cost …

Munich attracts hundreds of thousands of people annually to its OktoberFest. Now the North Clare village of Doolin is hoping to imitate the German success by hosting its own Craft Beer Festival. The festival, which will take place in August, was announced on Monday at the launch of Ireland’s newest domestically brewed beer. Actors who play the bar staff at Fair City’s fictional McCoy’s Pub and Station Bar were on hand to launch the festival and Dooliner Beer, an Irish red ale which master brewer Cuilan Loughnane has brewed by special request for Fitzpatrick’s Bar at Hotel Doolin. Dooliner Beer also is available at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Hotel Doolin’s sister property.According to hotelier John Burke “the event will showcase the best of Irish Craft Beers, featuring 15 different beers from the best micro-breweries in Ireland”.“Independent craft beers are becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and we have partnered with a company who have run this event successfully in …

AN East Galway senator has called on the Government to ensure a primary care facility is provided in Gort and other towns across the constituency. Labour’s Lorraine Higgins this week told junior health minister Kathleen Lynch the expansion of primary care facilities in East Galway must remain a priority.Raising the matter in the Seanad with Minister Lynch, Senator Higgins urged the full expansion of primary care facilities to towns like Gort, Athenry, Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Tuam and Portumna.“These facilities would provide a wide range of services essential for the well-being of members of these communities and include the promotion of health, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as personal social services. They are particularly attractive as a concept in that they are fully accessible by way of self-referral and operate as a one-stop shop for health needs,” she said.Senator Higgins pointed out that although the term “primary health care facilities” is often used with the term “general practice”, the concept …

GORT could have its own playground by the end of next month, it was claimed this week, after unprecedented support from local people and businesses.The company behind the proposed community facility has said it received “amazing support” in its fundraising campaign for the planned Ennis road amenity.“We are doing quite well at the moment. We have about 80% of our fundraising gathered at this stage. Anything we get from here on means we can put in accessible equipment for children with special needs or exercise equipment for adults. We also want to put in simple fun things that are missing out of playgrounds nowadays, like sandpits and that type of thing.“We also want to develop the garden on site in order to have a picnic area. We are hoping to put up a little stage for children to get up on and pretend they are popstars or whatever they want. “Then, hopefully we will be able to afford things like …