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Regional

UL’s ‘field of dreams’

The University of Limerick’s reputation as Ireland’s leading sporting amenity has been furthered with the development of a state-of-the-art, all-weather sports facility on the Clare side of the college campus.The new €9 million facility is the largest all-weather sports field complex in Europe. This multi-purpose, fully floodlit synthetic grass park contains third-generation pitches including two soccer, one rugby and two GAA pitches. Third-generation all-weather surfaces play like natural grass and are designed for full contact. Each full-size pitch can be sub-divided to create smaller-sized playing areas for various sports. This is the largest artificial grass development in Ireland to date, designed to IRB, GAA and FIFA specifications.David Mahedy, director of sport and recreation, welcomed the development, saying, “This is a real life ‘Field of Dreams’ come true that is a top-quality unique facility for every player in every code to experience and enjoy. Training and especially matches can now be accommodated in all weathers and at all times on the …

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Loughtagoona estate likened to ‘an obstacle course’

WORK on a housing estate in Corofin, which one councillor likened to “an obstacle course” is to begin in September, Clare County Council has confirmed.Ruan councillor Joe Arkins recently asked the area engineer to provide a progress report on the schedule of works for the taking in charge of the Loughtagoona estate at Corofin. “It is like an obstacle course, going in there,” Councillor Arkins stated. “The manholes are a disgrace, they are up five or six inches,” he went on. Stephen Lahiffe, senior executive engineer from the council’s Ennistymon area office explained that issues surrounding the taking in charge of the estate had “been going on a number of years”.“A number of banks and bond holders took over the estate and the responsibility for it. They were very unco-operative with Clare County Council,” he explained, adding that it was only in recent months that “things have been cleared up”. Councillor Arkins accused the banks of “dragging us through a …

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Lighthouse trial period may be extended

CLARE County Council director of services, Ger Dollard has not ruled out keeping Loop Head Lighthouse open to visitors for weekends during September. Mr Dollard was contacted by Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey, who suggested that the lighthouse remain open for longer than the trial period of July and August.“The September opening has already been raised with us and we are assessing same,” Mr Dollard replied. “At best it will be weekends only but I am not in a position to make a definitive call on it just yet. If it can be accommodated we certainly will but there are a number of issues to be resolved, including staffing issues,” he explained.“A number of constituents have been in touch with me asking if the trial period could be extended throughout September,” Deputy Carey said in his email to Mr Dollard. “Perhaps Clare County Council, together with your partners in Shannon Development and Loop Head Tourism, could re-evaluate your original position …

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Confusion on the coalface of the smoky fuel ban

THE introduction of the smoky fuel ban in the Ennis area last week has been marked with “considerable confusion” with claims that coal retailers are unsure about how and where the ban applies.Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney, who has welcomed the decision to ban smoky coal, has claimed there has been a “breakdown in the communication lines and the Department of the Environment have to be held accountable”.Meanwhile, local coal merchant, and Ennis Town Councillor Frankie Neylon has said that he has received no notification from the department about the ban.“I have not been contacted by anybody about this smoky fuel ban, I haven’t had any notification of anything. I don’t know if it’s come into effect, we haven’t been told anything.”Minister Phil Hogan announced in June plans to include Ennis on the list of towns and cities covered by the ban from August 1. Under the ban, it is illegal to market, sell or distribute bituminous, or ‘smoky’ coal.However, …

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Taoiseach visits Kiltartan Gregory Museum

Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid an unexpected visit last Friday to the Kiltartan Gregory Museum in the company of his wife, Fionnuala, and children Aoibhinn, Ferdia and Naoise. Mr Kenny and family showed a keen interest in the museum and the history of the area. He had previously called to Kiltartan in 1996 and remembered seeing Lady Gregory’s umbrella on that occasion. “The story of Coole House and estate was of interest to the Kenny family and they also enjoyed listening to stories about WB Yeats and his whimsical ways. They visited Coole Park and Ballylee and were shocked when they saw the condition of Thoor Ballylee, which has not reopened since the devastating floods of the winter 2009-2010,” said local historian Sr de Lourdes Fahy.According to Sr de Lourdes, the Kennys purchased a copy of The History of Kiltartan, Many Leaves, One Root, which contains hitherto unpublished material on Lady Gregory and WB Yeats as seen through the eyes of …

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Walkers’ spirits not dampened by weather

A TORRENTIAL downpour didn’t deter between 250 and 300 men, women and children from taking part in the first ever Marie Keating Foundation sponsored walk, organised by the Charlie Tully Celtic Supporters’ Club. Kenny McGorrian, PRO of the club, said there was a great level of interest from the public and it was a very enjoyable event.“The heavens literally opened up within minutes of the walk starting and by the time we had gone 500 yards, everyone was drenched but such was the atmosphere, the jokes, the banter and joviality that the weather conditions paled into insignificance. “As the crowds began gathering, it was evident the weather forecast wasn’t going to be a factor and by 11.30am, we already had a 100-strong crowd assembled for the walk. As each minute passed, the numbers just got bigger and bigger, with walkers coming from as far away as Offaly and Newcastle West, with others coming from Ballycar, Ennis, Sixmilebridge and Shannon.”Guest of …

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O’Briensbridge on heritage map

Twelve historical artefacts of the Limerick Navigation are included in a new Heritage Guide to O’Briensbridge National Loop Walks.Produced by the O’Briensbridge Community Group, the informative guide will be officially launched by the group during National Heritage Week and can be downloaded from the discoverireland website.Following years of dedication, the group has made these artefacts accessible to locals and visitors alike thanks to the O’Briensbridge National Loop Walks.O’Briensbridge was on the main water route from Limerick to Dublin from 1799 until the last trading boat passed through in June 1929. Group chairman Mick Murtagh recalled that in the late-18th century it was the only significant port between the two ends of the Limerick Navigation, which used three canals and two river sections to bypass the shallows on the Lower Shannon.“The navigation dates from the days of the horse-drawn barges and left an extraordinary rich heritage of artefacts. It was one of Ireland’s first steamer routes and part of the agricultural …

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Vandals target villages’ summer planting

EAST Clare Tidy Towns’ committees are battling vandalism and theft of recently planted flowers in the area. Cormac McGuinness of Quin Tidy Towns has reported that in the past few days, flowers have been taken up from displays in the village, despite this activity having been reported to gardaí in the past. “At Ard na Mainstreach we put up a new hanging pole with two baskets and they have been taken up within the last 24 hours. On July 13 last, more flowers were stolen from the Eircom beds in Quin Gardens where they took some lobelia and begonias from Quinville Hill. They were well organised and didn’t leave a footprint, would appear to be taking them for further use,” he said. The Tidy Towns’ group has been using universal clips to secure the hanging baskets to deter thieves but has said that this type of activity is to be condemned. He explained that in order to keep costs to …

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