Regional

THERE was good news for two Shannon soccer clubs this week as Shannon Town United had their application to construct a new fence upheld by An Bord Pleanála, while Clare County Council have agreed to give a piece of land to Shannon Olympic for a nominal sum.An Bord Pleanála have granted planning permission to Shannon Town United for the erection of a boundary fence, including gates, to the perimeter of their pitch at Drumgeely/Tullyglass.Clare County Council’s original decision to grant planning had been appealed by the Drumgeely Residents Association.In her report, An Bord Pleanála inspector Una Crosse outlined a number of the grounds of appeal. This included a view that the Drumgeely Riverside Walk “is the most significant natural amenity in Shannon and would be seriously damaged by the proposal”.It was claimed the fence would be unduly imposing on a narrow walkway and that its height was excessive, while it was claimed the fence could create space for anti-social behaviour …

Clare County Council this week rezoned land on the outskirts of Ennis, clearing the way for a private hospital to be built on the site.  Land at Shanvogh, Shanaway Road, had been zoned as residential under the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014 and following a planning application for a private hospital, members of Clare County Council had to decide whether to contravene the plan and change the zoning.Three-quarters of the county councillors had to agree to the material contravention of the plan in order for it to be passed. The motion was carried by 28 votes to three, meaning a hospital can now be built on the site.Council planners had previously recommended that planning permission be granted for the 100-bed hospital subject to conditions and councillors passing the motion. Councillor Johnny Flynn, who is also a member of Ennis Town Council, stated that he supported the proposal to change the zoning because it provided a health service and job …

Adult Learning in North Clare has undergone a massive sea change in the past year. This was very evident last Thursday evening in Ennistymon, where adult learners received FETAC certificates for their studies. Students received their awards for Clare VEC Adult Education Service programmes they completed over the past 12 months. “An unusual aspect to the celebration was that more men than women participated in the event. “Usually, it’s adults ­supporting children in learning but in another nice twist to the tale, some learners were supported by their children at the event,” said Ann Knox, community education facilitator, Clare VEC Adult and Community Education Service. More than 90 learners had earned FETAC certificates in IT, internet, horticulture, cookery, communications, music appreciation, visual arts practice and crafts. “While great credit is due to the learners, many of whom are progressing to new topics or new levels this year, the use of Liscannor school, the Vocational school and Ennistymon Library made it …

THE Coole Park Winter Programme is starting a little earlier than usual this year, with the first event taking place next Monday. The details of the 2010 programme, which is part of the Coole Park bi-annual series of cultural events, were revealed this week.The heritage course starts on Monday between 8pm and 10pm and will continue through all the Mondays in November. This year the course is entitled Reading and Understanding the Coole Landscape.Christy Cunniffe is the first speaker of the season. He will touch on the built heritage at Coole. Other speakers on the subsequent Mondays include Finola O’Kane Crimmins on 18th Century Designed Landscapes, Marie Boran on Estates and Landscape in East Galway from 1800-1900, Mark Greene on Reading the Landscape of Coole from Maps, Bridin Feeney on Digital Mapping and Biodiversity, Caitriona Carlin on Biodiversity at Coole, an NPWS representative on the management of the Coole Park Nature Reserve and Paul Naesen on the Landscape Archaeology of …

A NEW group entitled Clare Action for Unemployment has arranged for an address by MEP Marian Harkin to take place at the Community Centre on Chapel Lane on Friday.Dermot Hayes is one of the founders of the new group and he says it is vital that the unemployed, who are most affected by the economic collapse of recent years, have their voices heard.“I live across from the social welfare office and the amount of people that are going there for the dole is crazy. I know 10 people that have emigrated from Ennis alone, not to mention the rest of the county. At the same time, the country is putting €50 billion into the banks and no one is saying stop.”He works with people with disabilities and said that there have been serious cutbacks in this area, while there are delays in getting money to people when they become unemployed.Mr Hayes says the first thing that the new body will …

SHANNON needs emergency funds for essential remedial repairs to the wastewater infrastructure in the town, it was claimed at the September meeting of the Town Council.Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion that the council apply to the Minister for the Environment for funding.“If there is a major burst in the system, a whole section of the town could be put out of action,” he claimed.In a written reply, engineer Eugene O’Shea stated there is a plan in place for a lasting solution.“As outlined by Sean Ward, senior engineer, Clare County Council, to the September meeting of the Shannon Electoral Area, a brief has been prepared in relation to the Shannon sewerage scheme for consultants to 1. prepare the Environmental Impact Scheme and 2. design the advance works contract to upgrade the biggest foul pumping stations and associated infrastructure.“This advance works contract is of critical importance to Shannon. It is expected that these documents will be ready by early 2011 …

Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly attends St Columba’s Church during this year’s harvest festival on the invitation of Canon Bob Hanna.  It was the bishop’s first visit to a Church of Ireland church since his appointment. Photograph by Declan Monaghan

THE Wild Swans Theatre Company’s production of MJ Ginnelly’s A Wake in the West received a further plaudit this week as it was confirmed the show will not only be staged in the Town Hall in Galway but also in West Clare.The Swans take the show, which has proved hugely popular in Gort, Ennis and Belfast, to Doonbeg on Saturday, November 13. The group’s version of A Wake in the West will be staged in the Town Hall in Galway on Monday, February 7. Advanced bookings can be made by contacting Austin on 086 8225085.As well as the group’s onstage success, many of the company’s members recently swapped stage for screen after getting parts in Cameron Productions’ film An Old Fashioned Christmas, starring actress Jacqueline Bissett.Many of the Swan’s best well-known performers took part in filming, which took place in Bunratty and Lough Cultra.