Regional

AN appeal by West Clare county councillors for Clare County Council to install filter lanes at the Crossroads pub Knockalough in on the Ennis-Kilrush Road and at Bansha and Ballyea crosses, on the same road, will not result in any action until next year at the earliest.

  THE Waterways Ireland Scariff Harbour Festival enthralled and engrossed the people of East Clare last weekend as distinguished guests Roy Garland, Edna O’Brien, Mary Black and Jeanette Ervine descended on the fair shores of the town. Opening the festival on Friday, Northern Ireland peace activist Roy Garland remarked on the first harbour festival, which was opened by the late David Ervine and Mark Durkan in 2003, which, he said, added significance to the occasion as Mr Ervine and Mr Garland shared the same goals. He spoke about his background growing up on the Shankhill Road in North Belfast and of the similar experiences that he and Mr Ervine would have had growing up in the city. “We saw the futility of the old ways of division and conflict. We both wanted to create space for everyone. On one occasion in 1995, I shared a platform on Belfast’s Falls Road with former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, the SDLP’s Mark Durkan, Presbyterian …

2010 is a record-breaking year for the Gort Show with nearly 1,300 entries received for the indoor classes. Gort Agricultural Show takes place this Sunday, beginning at midday. Held on the town’s Ennis Road, organisers believe it will be the biggest show in its 29-year history.This year’s show will be officially opened at 1.30pm by Derek O’Connor. Tubber man Derek is the champion point-to-point jockey for the last seven years. He will be accompanied by Miss Galway 2010 Lisa Nolan. Among the attractions on the day are a steam traction engine, open mic traditional music sessions, a bonny baby competition, face painting and Irish dancing.“There will be many children’s rides and a mass of entertainment for all the family,” said the show’s organising secretary, Amanda Norton.“If you want mad fun, then join in the Carry the Wife race and impress your neighbours,” she added.While there are many outdoor events, the indoor classes have proved particularly popular this year. “The indoor …

THE Limerick Tunnel may be a huge addition to the Mid-West’s infrastructure but Shannon Councillor Gerry Flynn is calling for it to be boycotted in protest at the charges.The independent councillor is also calling for the public to fight against the imposition of a €6 charge at the Cliffs of Moher.Councillor Flynn claims the charge at the Limerick Tunnel is too much of a burden on already struggling people. “It’s absolutely crazy. People are already hard-pressed and now they’re being asked to pay another €1.80 for a car and €5.70 for a truck. It’s crazy stuff.”He said that the charges in Limerick are in contrast to the Jack Lynch tunnel in Cork, which is free to motorists.Councillor Flynn claimed that Clare people have suffered significant losses of services and that if they withhold money by not using the tunnel it might focus some attention on the county’s requirements. “It’s time that someone shouted stop, things have gone mad. Look at …

IN shades of yester year, Lisdoonvarna this weekend plays host to a music festival. Nine bands will take to the stage over two nights to entertain music lovers from all over the county and to raise money for charity Haven. Behind the festival is Dublin born Jonathon Fitzgerald, a regular visitor to the North Clare village. “My dad lives in Clare. When our band started, Sons of Gingerbread, Peter Curtin in the Roadside Tavern let us play in his pub. Since then, I’ve been helping him out sourcing music and he’s been holding gigs. Together we managed to set up a bit of a music scene there and there is great music appreciation there,” Jonathon explained. This weekend’s festival takes place in the Pavilion and features music from Absolutely Curtains, Cujo Family, Niwel Tsumbu and Loudest Whisper, Sons of Gingerbread, Elastic Affair, New Secret Weapon, A Band Called Wanda and Trevor Hansbury with the Tezers. On Sunday night, there will …

PEOPLE lived in the Burren thousands of years before the time of Christ and there are dozens of sites of archaeological interest dotted throughout the North Clare landscape.

FOLLOWING a public meeting held last week, organised by McMahon Finn Wind Ltd, one of two companies behind the proposed development of two windfarms in Coore, the developers believe that local people are supportive of their plans.

The Michael Cusack Centre hosted its first annual scarecrow competition on Sunday. With 14 quality entries varying from traditional to contemporary scarecrows, competition was fierce.