Regional

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

SIX Ennis schools have been recognised by Ennis Town Council for their work to make their schools litter free and environmentally friendly.

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) does not envisage it will be in a position over the coming years to provide funding for the €800,000 dementia unit in Clarecastle, which is lying idle for the past week.

THE new Mayor of Ennis, Independent Councillor Tommy Brennan, was elected at the annual general meeting of Ennis Town Council on Tuesday, by a majority of six to three votes.

CAHERCALLA Hospice, St Clare’s School and St Anne’s School are the beneficiaries of this year’s mayoral fundraising event.