Regional

A new buffer zone removing restrictions from carrying out work near a protected bird sanctuary will have to be provided to facilitate maintenance on the West Clare Railway.

Plans for a new playground costing an estimated €80,000 in the middle of the picturesque Loop Head Peninsula have been unveiled by a local community group.

KILKEE Town Council doesn’t want a site close to the local GAA grounds to retain a residential zoning.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued a warning to landowners following reports of illegal deer lamping across an area spanning from Broadford to South Galway.

Scariff woman, Geraldine Moloney is to make her television debut this Sunday night as one of 16 people chosen to take part in the new RTE television series, Francis Brennan’s Grand Tour.

Comhaltas Éireann has been given the go ahead to begin works on its proposed cultural music centre in Tulla, which will see the transformation of the former Sisters of Mercy primary school and convent to a performance and archive centre.

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 …

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 …