Regional

OVER 2,500 cyclists rode in the An Post Tour de Burren, which took place amid the breathtaking scenery of North Clare last Saturday.Apart from the success of the event, local businesses enjoyed a welcome cash injection and a number of groups will benefit from financial support down the line.The Burren Cycling Club/An Post Tour de Burren, in association with the Irish Sports Council and supported by Clare Sports Partnership, Clare Tourism Forum, Aillwee Cave and the community of North Clare, is designed to offer a variety of challenges. Cyclists had four routes to choose from, including the 10km Aillwee Cave Family Loop, which was all about fun, enjoyment and participation; the 60km Corkscrew Challenge, which took cyclists from Ballyvaughan up Corkscrew Hill, a grade 2 King of the Mountains climb on the An Post Rás; the 100km Burren 100 with two challenging climbs and the Burnin Burren spin, which offered cyclists a 160km journey through North Clare on a route …

NORTH Clare residents are being asked to support a novelty cycle through Lahinch for the Irish Cancer Society. Three brave, fit young men have decided to throw caution to the wind, saddle up, all on the one bike, and cycle through 17 counties in the name of charity and good humour.The three men, Andrew Doyle, Declan Prior and Shane Healy, are gearing up for a 1,700km, 24-day cycle around Ireland on a three-man bike in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.The unique Tour De Ireland will take the three Dublin lads to Lahinch on July 9, which is day 14 of their adventure. The threesome are urging locals to spare some pocket money to help them raise funds for the cause. “We are really excited about the challenge but I don’t mind admitting that we are a bit nervous about spending so much time in such close proximity to one another,” confessed Shane, the joker of the group.The 10ft long …

THERE will be huge Kilrush and West Clare interest in this Saturday’s Hell of the West Triathlon in Kilkee.Organised by the Limerick Triathlon Club, approximately 20 local people will be taking part in either the whole event or as part of a relay team. In previous years, there was very low participation from the West Clare area in the event.The Hell of the West is regarded as one of the toughest Olympic triathlon races in Ireland. It first took place in the summer of 1983, when approximately 40 athletes competed.More than 800 competitors from all over Ireland are expected to participate this weekend and it will again be part of Ireland’s national series race calendar. It will consist of a 1,500m swim in Kilkee Bay, a 45km cycle over the West Clare hills to Doonbeg and a 10km run around the cliffs in Kilkee, via the Dunlicky Road.Some of the Kilrush or West Clare people participating include Eileen Mulcahy, Nikki …

THE possibility of the Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush Wood having small enterprise units put in place is being pursued by Kilrush Town Council. This month’s meeting of the town council confirmed the walled garden will host a craft display this summer. Town clerk John Corry also said the town council is examining the possibility of establishing craft units in the walled gardens.The idea was mooted by Councillor Tom Prendeville, who asked the meeting to invite the Clare Craftworkers Association to stage an exhibition at the gardens this year, as it is the Year of Craft.“This council, in association with the West Clare Task Force, has identified job creation opportunities in this area,” Councillor Prendeville said.“The creation of a craft enterprise village within the Vandeleur Walled Garden has employment potential,” Councillor Prendeville suggested.“Similar enterprises in Spiddal and Kilkenny have been outstanding successes. Staging an exhibition of the best craft products in Clare would be a first step in realising that …

WORKING in Brogan’s Bar for 50 years, Pat Sheedy is well used to lending an ear to the many customers who frequent the well-known Ennis pub. But when it comes to talking about himself, the bartender shies away from being the centre of attention.While Pat may prefer to stay out of the limelight, this month he will rightly be the focus of celebrations at Brogan’s Bar, with an evening of music planned to mark his golden anniversary.Pat, from Doora, first began working in Brogan’s when he left school at 14. “I certainly didn’t think I’d be here this long. I started off in the yard doing the bottles and peeling the spuds. My sister, Francis, had worked there along with my brother, John,” he recalled. “Brian Hogan was the owner at the time, son of Patrick Hogan who was Ceann Comhairle.“Things were very different back then, there have certainly been some big changes over the years. The pub itself hasn’t …

THE redevelopment of Fahy Hall in Roslevan is set to be complete within 26 weeks. On Monday, contracts were signed with Galvin Construction for the redevelopment of Fahy Hall and the addition of a new oratory.According to Jackie Morris, of the Roslevan Pastoral Council, “This project will provide modern community and pastoral facilities for our community.”The redeveloped hall will increase the floor area and provide meeting rooms, a kitchen, store, toilets and other facilities. The oratory will be  a permanent place of worship, accommodating 95 people and can be combined with the adjoining hall to increase capacity to up to 300 people for mass and other church services.According to Jackie, this development is vital for the growing Doora Barefield parish and the Roslevan area, which has seen an increase in its housing population.“Doora Barefield Parish is one of the largest rural parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe. It stretches 16 miles from Barefield in the north to Doora in the …

THE plan to ban smoky coal in Ennis must be introduced on a phased basis if it is to work, according to local coal merchant and Ennis Town Councillor, Frankie Neylon, who has also called on the Government to make domestic fuel exempt from carbon tax.Meanwhile, Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney has welcomed the smoky coal ban, describing it as “necessary” and is adamant it will benefit the town and the health of locals.Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan last week announced that from August 1, Ennis will be added to the list of towns and cities covered by the Smoky Coal Ban, under which it is illegal to market, sell or distribute bituminous or ‘smoky’ coal.However, according to Councillor Neylon, the ban will not solve problems with air pollution in the town and could lead to hardship for vulnerable people.“This will have to be phased in. Six or seven years ago we were promised it would be phased in …

A SIGN for Ennis at the Scariff/Tulla exit of the Ennis bypass is of “paramount importance” to the town, according to members of the Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Chamber.The groups met with Clare’s four TDS for the second time in Ennis this week as they continue with plans to make Clare the first county out of recession.Among the issues discussed at the meeting is the need for more signage into Ennis off the motorway. At the meeting, it was agreed that all six Clare members of the Oireachtas will arrange a meeting with the National Roads Authority to discuss the concerns of the Development Forum and the Chamber.Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Johnny Flynn was among those calling for the signage as he outlined that during the first three months of the bypass opening, there was a 30% drop in the town’s tourist office footfall. It was noted that Athlone, which is of similar size to Ennis, has seven …