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€10m Westbury nursing home gets green light

A STATE-OF-THE-ART €10 million two-storey nursing home will be opened on Monday in Westbury with approval from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).The independent health authority has given Athlunkard Partnership the green light to open the 51-room ground floor as part of the first phase of the development, which is near St Nicholas’ Church.In an exclusive interview with The Clare Champion, Athlunkard Partnership spokesman Flor McCarthy said the new nursing home would be provided in stages, subject to demand.Starting with about 14 employees, of which four are full-time, Mr McCarthy explained the number of people employed could eventually increase to 60, most of which would be full-time when the nursing home is fully occupied, depending on the needs of residents.Believed to be one of the largest nursing homes in the Mid-West, Mr McCarthy said their aim is to be the best in terms of meeting the highest health and quality standards, as laid down by the regulatory authorities.Once demand …

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Opposition to large-scale supermarket

Opposition to the proposed development of a 70,000ft2 foodstore at the junction of Tobarteascain and the Clare Road in Ennis is gathering momentum.The investment of over €34 ­million will create 300 construction jobs and between 180 and 200 permanent sustainable jobs at a time when unemployment is at its worst in Clare since the 1980s, according to Seamus Lynch, managing director of Michael Lynch Limited.“Contrary to claims that we plan to build a shopping centre, the planning application we made is for a foodstore and  not a shopping centre,” he said. “Specifically, the site will include a foodstore, a purpose-built community building to house a much-needed new library that will be handed over to Ennis Town Council free-of-charge  and a new office building for Michael Lynch Limited.  “Our planning application has clearly stated that Tesco will continue to operate at the Ennis Shopping Centre, it will not be closing.”Ennis Chamber and Ennis Development Forum said they want to bring clarity …

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Almost €3m spent on Cluain Airne scheme

€3 MILLION has already gone into the new housing scheme at Cluain Airne and town councillors were told this week that the houses probably won’t be handed over to occupants until next year.The date for the completion of works on the controversial development has continuously been put back, much to the frustration of local residents.In a report to this week’s council meeting, following a motion from Sinn Féín’s Cathy McCafferty, town manager Bernadette Kinsella gave an outline of the costs already incurred. “Atlantic Developments took possession of the Glaise na Rinne housing development site on July 18 under contract, which provides for completion on December 9, 2011. The scheme comprises 22 houses; 16 of which are designated for sale as affordable houses, with the remaining six designated as step-down units.“The final all-in cost of the scheme, including the per unit cost, will be determined within six months of completion of the scheme as required for the final account. Expenditure to …

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Trap backs 7 Wonders campaign

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni visited the Cliffs of Moher on Friday to pledge his support for the Cliffs’ bid to be included in the global New 7 Wonders of Nature. On his first visit to the Cliffs of Moher, he was accompanied by Marco Tardelli, assistant manager, and was met by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes and staff at the tourist attraction. Mr Trapattoni expressed his delight to be at the world-famous tourist attraction. “I have heard a lot about the Cliffs of Moher and am delighted to be able to visit to see its splendour first hand. I know that the Cliffs of Moher has been part of a long campaign to achieve the status of one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and I, and the FAI, fully support Ireland in trying to achieve this designation. I am very familiar with long campaigns and hope that November can be a month when Ireland …

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Whitegate residents receive water from Mounstshanon supply

RESIDENTS in Whitegate affected by an outbreak of cryptosporidium in the Whitegate public water supply have been told that they are now being served by an upgraded Mountshannon water supply network. The cryptosporidium parasite was found during routine testing of the water supply in Whitegate last week but according to the local authority, they have received no reports of anyone having fallen ill as a result of the contamination. However, as a result of this detection, Clare County Council has issued a boil notice and this is likely to remain in place for at least another week as continual testing and monitoring of the water takes place. At a public meeting held in the GAA clubhouse in Whitegate on Tuesday, senior executive engineer Hugh McGrath informed those present that those on the Whitegate public water network are now receiving water from the Mountshannon public network. He explained the Whitegate water supply “is vulnerable” as the source is subject to contamination …

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Chamber action plan for Kilrush revival

The gauntlet has been thrown down to Shannon Development to stimulate the economic revival of Kilrush by playing a proactive role in the creation of new job opportunities.Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has hatched an action plan for the town, which it says if implemented in the Kilrush Creek Marina and landbank areas “would result in new and increased commercial activities and the provision of new skilled jobs in greater Kilrush”.Already the report has been forwarded to Shannon Development chief executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane, for his consideration and Kilrush Chamber admits that the town, because of its size and geographic location, is unlikely to be a prominent forerunner in the garnering of new international or national-based industries.“Kilrush must therefore look into itself for its own salvation. Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has identified the Shannon Development-owned and operated Kilrush Creek Marina facility as presenting an excellent location for the creation of a mixed commercial, tourism, educational and social development.“The facility contains large …

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Galway Bay goes under the radar

People the world over have waxed lyrical about watching the sun go down on Galway Bay. Now scientists have come up with a state-of-the-art system to view the famous bay in a new perspective.Researchers from the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway have deployed a sophisticated coastal radar system in Galway Bay, which transmits maps of the surface currents and provides details of the height and direction of waves from the shoreline directly to the institute. The cutting edge technology has many potential uses for research and for the local community and this is the first time it is being used in North Atlantic European waters.The Modelling and Informatics Group in the Ryan Institute, led by Dr Mike Hartnett, develops models to forecast marine conditions such as tidal currents, storm surges and wave heights. The group are currently carrying out research, in collaboration with IBM Smarter Cities Technology Centre, Dublin, to improve model forecasts using the radar data and meteorological data. …

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