Regional

WEST Clare-based company, Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited will shortly be lodging planning permission for the development of a 45-turbine windfarm at Shragh and Mountrivers in Doonbeg. Following lengthy consultations with An Bord Pleanála, the company has been advised that the proposed development is of strategic importance and that the planning application must be lodged directly to An Bord Pleanála. The planning application will include permission for a 360˚ viewing platform at the top of one of the turbines. This would be the first viewing tower of its type in Ireland and one of only six worldwide at present. It is hoped that this would become a major tourist attraction in West Clare. The company also has plans to develop an interpretative centre in Doonbeg on the generation of wind energy and the history of energy generation in County Clare from peat to hydro to fossil to wind. This facility would be open to tourists and educational groups.     It is …

ARTS Minister Jimmy Deenihan seems to be on a different track concerning the merits of a new sports complex in Killaloe, judging by different stances adopted over the development, which is being promoted by former Lions rugby captain, Keith Wood.      Speaking at the recent opening of the new €2 million mooring development along the Killaloe Canal Bank, the minister paid tribute to Keith Wood for his involvement in a new recreational and playing pitch development at the Moys, Killaloe.“Keith Wood has shown great leadership in the community and has a very interesting sports project, which hopefully we can help him with. It is great to have someone living in the community that is so well-known, not only in this country but internationally.“He is a source of important leadership. He has already shown his generosity by putting major funding into this sporting development. To have someone like that in a local community is a major asset,” Minister Deenihan said.A new group, …

The commercial community in Ennis is being urged to show they mean business when it comes to using the cúpla focal in a bid to bring more shoppers to the town.Inis Dom!, a project organised by the Ennis branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, is set to be launched in the town on October 20 in the Temple Gate Hotel.The initiative aims to bring businesses together to promote shopping through the medium of Irish in Ennis, and participation is free. Through Inis Dom!, the use and visibility of Irish in the town is set to be increased. It is anticipated this will raise the local and national profile of Ennis as a centre of excellence in the promotion of traditional culture and make it a more attractive visitor destination.According to Domhnall Ó Loingsigh of Conradh na Gaeilge, Inis, “This is a way of showing that Gaeilge can really be made use of. The name of this project is Inis Dom!, which …

A GORT Community School pupil has taken the top accolade at the National Career Skills Competition. Lough Cutra girl, Rachel McKnight, who is now in her final year of the Leaving Cert Applied programme, took first prize at the recent award ceremony in Dublin.The career skills competition award ceremony was held at the Department of Education and Science and was attended by Junior Minister for Training and Skills, Galway’s Ciarán Cannon.For the competition, pupils were invited to carry out a career investigation and to record their findings on the skills required for the role, following a work experience of their choice.“The project involved writing a report on the work experience I did and what I learned and how I did the work. It helped me decide if I wanted to do that career or not after school,” explained Rachel.The 16-year-old did her work experience every Friday throughout her first term in LCA in Paisti Beaga in Quin, Clare.“I learned loads …

MOVES are underway to make Ennis the first town outside of the UK to be awarded a Purple Flag, recognising excellence in the management of safe town centres at night.While applications for the accreditation scheme are not currently being accepted from Ireland, the initiative has been the subject of discussion by members of Ennis Town Council. Public representatives, Ennis Chamber of Commerce and members of the business community have now come out in support of the Purple Flag accreditation process to achieve a safe, appealing, well-managed town centre.Ennis town councillors and officials recently undertook a project to find out what the views and concerns of Ennis residents were, with safety being one issue highlighted.This visioning initiative, called Ennis 2020, was supported and executed by the staff and volunteers from the University of Limerick. In addition, Ennis people asked for greater variety of night-time activities. The detailed findings of that community visioning project were presented to the Municipal Policy Committee and …

WOMEN in business from Clare are expected to join hundreds of other female entrepreneurs from around the country on November 17 to hear inspirational stories and share advice about their businesses to mark National Women’s Enterprise Day.Among the case studies being examined as part of the event is that of Birgitta Curtin from the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna.Co-organised by the Clare County Enterprise Board, a major entrepreneurship conference is being held in Portlaoise that day, aimed at women already in business or those who are thinking of setting up their own business in the near future.In 2010, the network of county and city enterprise boards supported over 12,000 women in business around the country, but the local boards are keen to encourage even more women to set up their own businesses.UK entrepreneur, author and rower, Debra Searle MBE is one of two keynote speakers at the National Women’s Enterprise Day conference at the Heritage Hotel, along with the founder of …

NED Keane is a well-known name across East Clare, with most people familiar with the great work he has done for Raheen Hospital as chairman of the hospital support group but now, in his 93rd year, he has decided to step down from the position.The Flagmount man is a founder member of the Raheen Hospital Support Group. He has been chairman for 30 years. In that time he, together with his active committee, has delivered on a day centre, a short-term stay unit, a bus service and specialised respite beds, to name a few projects, for the East Clare facility.Ned has been named as honorary president of the support group as he hands over the reins as chairman to his friend and co-founder of the organisation, William McLysaght.His time as chairman will be celebrated this Friday as Ned prepares to celebrate another milestone in his life, that of his 93rd birthday.Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, Ned recalled the …

OBTAINING information from Shannon Town Council about the controversial Cluain Airne housing development is akin to “pulling hen’s teeth”, a local county councillor has claimed.Councillor Gerry Flynn made the claim at a town council meeting last week, where he also alleged what has happening in relation to the residential development is “disgraceful”. He was speaking during a discussion about the Glaisse na Rinne/Cluain Airne affordable housing development.“I said at the last meeting, what is a priority for the council, is it a day, a week or a number of years? I make no apology for demanding answers. Residents living from 21 to 26 were given the impression improved parking would be provided but now this is not happening. What has happened is unbelievable and I hope this will never be visited upon us again,” he said.At a meeting in June, councillors requested an inquiry into the development, which had prompted issues in 2007 before a brick was even laid. Over …