Regional

CLARE County Council’s plans to develop a pedestrian crossing and footpath in Quin village close to Quin Gardens have been met with mixed views as planning permission is pending for the works. In three submissions lodged to the planning authority’s application for the crossing and footpath development, concerns were noted that, while such works are welcome, they could be better situated. In a submission to the planning application, Anne Marlborough highlighted that while she welcomed the “laudable efforts” of Clare County Council to enhance the safety of Quin life, she urged them to revise the location of the pedestrian crossing.“Proposals to enhance the safety of the village are a welcome initiative to improve the quality of community life in the village. The volume of traffic through the village has certainly grown during recent decades and a pedestrian crossing would not be unwelcome. I do wish, however to comment upon the proposed location for the crossing as I believe that it …

MUNSTER Rugby have lent their support to the August Bank Holiday Monday 6km run and walk in Kildysart in aid of the Cian Cleary Benefit Fund. The annual Dermot Power Memorial Run and Walk will start at 12 midday at Kildysart National School on Monday, August 4. “Last week, the fun run committee took a trip to UL where we met rugby players Jerry Flannery, Declan Cusack and Conor Murray,” the committee explained. “They graciously stood for a photo with us to help promote this great cause. We also hope that some of the Munster rugby team will take part in the fun run and walk. Cian’s parents, Jacko and Sheila, had been members of the festival committee for many years and brought so much to the festival. As we are so grateful for their efforts and energy they brought along with them, we would like to give a little back to them by donating the takings for the fun …

IT was 47 years in the planning but finally the Feakle Sewerage Scheme, alongside its sister sewerage scheme in Scariff and Tuamgraney, was officially opened by Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Hayes at ceremonies held last Friday.Formal planning of the Feakle Sewerage Scheme dates back to 1964, when Clare County Council commissioned the preparation of a preliminary report and as a local and a long-time elected representative for the area, the mayor was relieved that the schemes had borne fruition.Mayor Hayes said he was delighted to be in a position to launch the new and upgraded infrastructure for the uniquely situated villages of Feakle and Scariff. “I’d also like to acknowledge the patience and co-operation of the local communities in supporting the scheme’s advancement. The economic development of the area is directly connected to investment in infrastructure such as this and I am delighted that another step in progressing such development has been achieved to allow for future economic growth,” …

A drainage scheme for two sections of river between Craughwell and Ardrahan and Craughwell and Kilcolgan will be “considered” towards the end of the year, it has emerged.Galway East Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt recently questioned the Minister for Finance about progress on the drainage scheme for the Dunkellin River.Deputy Kitt asked Minister Michael Noonan to outline the cost of the draining works, the stages involved and when the work will commence.However, in response to Deputy Kitt’s question, the minister said the scheme is likely to be considered towards the end of this year and that progression will depend on a number of matters including the Government’s review of Capital expenditure.“The minister has confirmed to me that Galway County Council is undertaking a flood-relief scheme for the Dunkellin River from Craughwell to Kilcolgan and the Aggard Stream with funding from the Office of Public Works. The council has appointed consultants to carry out an Environmental Impact Statement of the proposed …

THE Clare Intercultural Festival will be held once again in Ennis this weekend. This will be the eighth year of the festival, which will take place in St Flannan’s College on Saturday from 11am to 3.30pm. There will be plenty of free activities for all the family to enjoy on the day and organisers are encouraging people to come along and have a go. For the first time in the festival’s history, Gaelic games will be among the activities. According to Alphonse Basogomba of the Clare Intercultural Network, as the festival continues to grow, there are even hopes of hosting the event over more than one day.Alphonse explained, “Every year, the festival is getting bigger and bigger and better and better. We have more and more people coming every year and more and more activities. The festival has been a great success since we started out in 2004. It started out very small and now it’s getting bigger, so much …

CHILDREN in Cratloe and the surrounding areas could be playing in a new playground at Cratloe Woods, costing in the region of €180,000, by the end of the summer.Galway-based Nordon Landscape Limited recently started construction work at Spraoi Sa Choill, which is expected to take between six to eight weeks.The landscaping company signed a contract with the Cratloe Community Playground Committee a few months ago. Children from Cratloe National School gave their suggestions for the new name, which translates into fun in the woods.Clare County Council granted planning permission for the new playground at the entrance to Cratloe Woods from the Gallows Hill Road last year. The planning authority gave the green light despite a strong objection signed by 86 residents, who claimed the site was unsuitable, as it attracted a large amount of anti-social behaviour in the past.While some residents were concerned about the possibility of anti-social behaviour, playground committee chairperson, Mary Foley told The Clare Champion she hadn’t …

CLARE County Council has agreed a motion that will see the relocation of an iconic Ballyvaughan signpost to a safer location in the North Clare village, while providing new directional signage offering motorists a choice of taking the Coast Road or the Lisdoonvarna Road to the Cliffs of Moher.At a special meeting of the local authority on Monday at Knappogue Castle, Quin, members of the council discussed a motion calling for the replacement of the existing sign at Ballyvaughan in the original location.The motion, tabled by councillors Johnny Flynn, Joe Arkins, Brian Meaney, Michael Begley, Gerry Flynn, Michael Kelly, Bill Slattery, Michael Hillery and Richard Nagle, also called for the sign to be named a protected structure in the county development plan.Councillors stressed businesses along the coast road are suffering in the height of the tourist season because the sign had been removed.“Businesses on the Coast Road feel victimised and are losing out. There should be the same amount of …

THE most vulnerable people in Ennis are being offered a helping hand of friendship as part of a recently launched initiative.On Sunday, Foundation Ministries Ennis launched their Friendship Centre offering support for the lonely, homeless and addicts who want to turn their lives around.The centre was officially launched by Deputy Mayor of Ennis Frankie Neylon as Foundation Ministries celebrated their 10th anniversary in the town.Chinwe Obadeyi of the church explained that in the past year, they have helped between 10 and 15 people through the centre.“This centre is about offering friendship and training to people who are homeless, those battling with alcohol or people who are just lonely for whatever reason. This isn’t an unmanned drop-in centre. We have opening hours and trained volunteers who are here at all times. This is for people who are willing to work with us to add meaning to their lives. We are here for people who want the help, seven days a week …