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Regional

Chain snaps as Keane becomes new mayor

FINE Gael’s Brian Keane was unanimously elected Mayor of Kilkee on Monday night. However, there was a hiccup when the chain snapped when placed around his neck but it was quickly sorted.He succeeded Lily Marrinan-Sullivan, who was elected to the position following last summer’s local elections. Elain Haugh-Hayes was elected deputy mayor.As she stepped down, Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan acknowledged all the members for their co-operation over the past year. “I want to thank each and every member here, who have been nothing but supportive, courteous and co-operative,” she said.The outgoing mayor said that the council had got a lot of work done over the last 12 months and she was particularly complimentary to the members who were elected for the first time last summer. “I don’t think the people of Kilkee should have any regrets about putting you in the position,” she commented.Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan addressed a number of issues that have arisen in the town over the last year. “I believe …

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Turning a passion into a profession

Galway man Conor Madden moved to Kinvara seven years ago, where he is now turning his love of sport into a business opportunity.The sailing and cycling enthusiast, along with two friends Andrew Deakin and Eoin Ryan, set up an outdoor experience company, which this week holds its first sprint triathlon, Tri the Burren. The set-up at Dolmen Events is unusual, with Conor living in South Galway, Bunratty man Andrew living in Limerick and Eoin based in Dublin. “The key thing we do is a weekly Skype call. Everything is on email and we use technology very well. We have common drives where we store files. It was a bit of a challenge initially but when you get into the pattern of using all those technologies then it gets easier. We all meet up then a couple of times a month at various things,” explains Conor. After studying at home, where he was an accomplished whitewater kayaker, Conor spent five years …

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Deputy mayor vows to fight rural depopulation

NORTH Clare will be “decimated” if something isn’t done to counteract rural depopulation according to Clare’s newly elected deputy mayor.Tubber man Councillor Michael Kelly was unanimously elected Deputy Mayor of Clare at the annual general meeting of Clare County Council earlier this week. While he has never held the position of the county’s mayor or deputy mayor before, the Fianna Fáil man is a former chairman of the North Clare Electoral Area. Deputy Mayor Kelly believes the major issue facing North Clare is a dwindling population. “We recently got into a Féile na Gael final. Tubber only had three young lads playing under 15. We had to join with Crusheen. The area is facing decimation if someone doesn’t do something. I believe the council should be more proactive in tackling this problem,” he stated.“I would be very strong on rural planning because North Clare has so many designations such as Special Areas of Conservation or National Heritage Areas or scenic …

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Communities join forces for Tubber Show

SOUTH Galway and Mid-Clare parishes will unite at the weekend, for an action-packed programme around the Tubber Show. This year’s show coincides with the local festival, which runs from Thursday through to Sunday.The event will be officially opened on Thursday night at the monthly singing and storytelling night in Whealan’s Pub with resident seanchaí, Joseph Kearney.On Friday, the sheep fair in Tubber will start at 1pm. From ancient times, a fair was held in Tubber on July 12 and Connemara sheep were brought by herdsmen from West Galway and West Clare to the lamb fair at Tubber, which was in turn attended by buyers from Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. After the fair, hundreds of sheep and lambs would be walked by drovers, who would shear some of the sheep to lighten their burden. Local organisers, Michael Roseingrave, Frank Donoghue, Shane Counihan, Paddy Walsh and Pat Roseingrave, have joined together to re-establish this famous fair with buyers invited from across the …

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Water shortages hit Tulla – again

Issues with water shortages in Tulla has reared its ugly head once more as businesses once again try to cope with a depleted water source and water stoppages.The problem is a regular occurrence for the people of Tulla during the summer months and also affected businesses and the community during the big freeze last winter. This week Clare County Council has issued an order prohibiting the use of the council’s water supply for watering sports grounds, gardens, irrigating or spraying crops, washing cars and for use in commercial car washing until at least Saturday. The order, which relates to the conservation of water and comes under Section 56 of the Water Services Act 2007, enables the council to put restrictions in place prohibiting certain water usage. Those found engaging in these prohibited activities can be issued on the spot fines of €125 or could be prosecuted and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000. This ongoing water …

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Action group to appeal against seaplane site approval

An organisation opposing plans to develop a seaplane operation in Mountshannon has announced it is to lodge an appeal against the proposed development and will fight “tooth and nail” against such an operation.The Lough Derg Action Group was founded at a meeting held recently for those who opposed plans by applicants Harbour Air Ireland Ltd, also known as Harbour Flights Ireland, to develop a pontoon and slipway at Mountshannon Harbour, which would facilitate a seaplane service on Lough Derg. Harbour Air Ireland Ltd received planning permission last month for the development but there were strong objections lodged from members of the local community and organisations who raised concerns regarding the plans. In a statement to The Clare Champion, a spokesperson for the Lough Derg Action Group said, “We are fully behind the promotion of a sustainable tourism industry in the East Clare and Lough Derg area but we believe that creating a mini-airport on a serene inland lake is counter-productive …

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