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Looped Walks need international push

THE National Looped Walks in O’Briensbridge should be promoted internationally to fully realise its huge tourism potential, according to Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes.Councillor Hayes has also proposed that groups like the O’Briensbridge Community Group work in partnership with Government tourism agencies to present a new package for walking enthusiasts.In addition to promoting the National Looped Walks at high-profile events such as the annual Milwaukee Festival in the US, Councillor Hayes has proposed that a number of walks in East Clare be promoted as part of week-long recreational option for tourists.He suggested the different walks in O’Briensbridge be linked up with similar routes along the East Clare Way. He explained that a walker should be able to start out in O’Briensbridge and have all their belongings and a packed lunch transported to somewhere like Scariff. A day trip to Holy Island, boat trips on Lough Derg, short walks for those interested in a leisurely stroll and other family orientated …

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Seed Savers’ sales grow by 20%

Sales of vegetable seeds at a registered charity organisation in Scariff have grown by an impressive 20% in the last year, thanks to the recession.Chrys Gardener of Irish Seed Savers’ Association said the amount of vegetable seeds sold at their centre have jumped by 20% from January to July this year, compared to the same period last year. The group estimate that 10,000 packets of seeds are sold on an annual basis. Ms Gardener has noticed that there is now a lot more interest shown by people in starting their own vegetable patch in their back garden.The increased interest in gardening was reflected by the attendance at the first tour of six private gardens in East Clare last Saturday. The garden tour attracted 211 visits in total, ranging between 30 and 43 for each garden and some green-fingered enthusiasts also attended more than one garden.According to Ms Gardener, the feedback from the event was extremely positive, with participants commenting on …

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Top honours for Gregans Castle

Encouraging people to stay overnight in the Burren is the challenge facing the tourist industry in the area, according to the owner of the North Clare establishment, which took the top honours in the Food & Wine Magazine Penfolds Restaurant of the Year Awards. Gregans Castle in Ballyvaughan was named Ireland’s best restaurant while its chef, Mickael Viljanen, was selected as the country’s best chef.At a gala luncheon in Dublin’s Convention Centre at the weekend, the winners of the Restaurant of the Year Awards were announced.  Sweeping the boards with an array of awards, including the coveted overall award, was Gregans Castle. Voted number one restaurant and chef in Munster, Gregans Castle went on to claim the top awards for Mickael’s ground-breaking cuisine. Set amongst the beautiful landscape of the Burren, Gregans Castle is owned by Simon Haden and Frederieke McMurray. By scooping the Restaurant of the Year Award, Gregans Castle joins the esteemed rankings of previous winners Chapter One, …

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Lough Cutra Castle to host triathlon

SOUTH Galway could become the location for the biggest triathlon in the country if a British firm’s plans come to fruition.The Castle Triathlon Series will hold one of its signature events in the picturesque surroundings of Lough Cutra Castle next summer, its first venture into the Irish adventure sports market.The 2011 series comprised four weekend events and a midweek evening sprint series over the course of the summer, “offering high quality, competitive, safe and fun races set in truly stunning locations”.“This will be the first Castle Triathlon we will hold in Ireland. We chose June 3, 2012 for a number of reasons. It is a bank holiday in the UK and is the start of school half-term. We also get an extra day off that weekend due to the Queen’s Jubilee,” Brian Adcock, race director, Castle Triathlon Series told The Clare Champion.Organisers, Mr Adcock explained, have an impressive goal.“I would expect half the participants to come from the UK and …

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Costume and camaraderie for Calcutta

The Strand, Kilkee, was host to the annual fancy dress fundraiser in aid of The Hope Foundation, Calcutta, last Thursday. Local woman Ann Marie Murray, home from India for a break, was surrounded by friends to help raise funds for the charity, which works for the street children in Calcutta. Ann Marie has worked as a volunteer in the city of 22 million people, helping street children and those most at risk for almost a decade. Each year, she helps to support thousands of children and adults to receive lifesaving treatment on the streets and in the slums of one of the most deprived cities in the world. Whilst living in Calcutta, Anne Marie shares a protection home with 40 adolescent girls and has become a beacon of hope on the streets of the city. Her tirelessness, humility and her generosity of spirit have touched the lives of many over the years and she continues to stress the generosity which …

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Permission sought for new restaurant

AN application has been made for planning permission to facilitate the opening of a new restaurant at Ballycasey Crescent.John Mullane has made the application to change an existing hair salon to a restaurant, which would incorporate a takeaway.According to the application, the premises has an area of 78m2 and the change to a restaurant would mean that an additional three or four people would be employed there.The application states it is estimated that 80 cars a day would come to the restaurant and at peak times there would be 15 an hour. The opening times specified in the application would be from 9am to 11pm six days a week and from 10am to 10.30pm on Sunday. These opening hours would be in line with the opening hours of the nearby Mace store.While the application does make specific reference to a takeaway facility, it also stipulates that this would not be of the typical fast food variety. “The applicant wishes to …

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Council delegation travel to development forum in China

TOWN councillor Mary Howard and town manager Ger Dollard took the long road to China as Ennis representatives at the 2011 World Cities Scientific Development Forum in Chengdu.The theme of the forum was Development and Co-operation among Cities: Building Liveable Cities for Humanity. It focused on disaster reduction and energy management with 33 countries represented.The travel and accommodation costs of the Ennis representatives were paid for by the forum organisers and Councillor Howard said she was pleased Ennis was included. “It was a great honour for Ennis to be asked to attend such a forum and to have an opportunity to contribute to the overall debate for disaster risk reduction. There were over 200 delegates from around the world at the conference and it was very beneficial to be able to present the Irish approach and, in particular, highlight the strategic location of Shannon Airport, in terms of the role it could play in humanitarian aid following major disasters and …

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Loop Head Lighthouse to stay open until October

Since Loop Head Lighthouse was opened to the public on July 18, 12,000 people have visited the 341-year-old lighthouse in Kilbaha. Such has been the public interest in visiting the iconic building, Clare County Council has extended what they term “visitor access trial” at Loop Head until Sunday, October 3. Since the lighthouse opened, visitors have often had to wait for up to an hour, given the visitor numbers. The short tour involves a small group climbing to the top of the lighthouse and viewing the spectacular vista. The lighthouse will remain open seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm throughout the remainder of August and all through September. This Sunday, an open day will be held from 10am to 4pm of the lighthouse keeper’s house, which is operated by The Irish Landmark Trust. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the restored property. Chairman of the West Clare Task Force, Councillor Oliver Garry, said the decision to …

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