Regional

FERRY operators in Doolin have taken exception to comments made by Councillor Martin Conway but the Ennistymon man has defiantly stood over them.At a meeting of Clare County Council, he said ferry operators were responsible for development at the pier not going ahead. “What’s gone on has been a shambles and it’s quite right that it be put back on the ferry operators themselves,” he said.Unhappy with his comments, Dick Grant of Aran Islands Fast Ferries said that the operators were not responsible for the situation at the pier. “He has implied that the ferry operators created a shambles but that’s not the case. Clare County Council have had great opportunities to rectify the problems at Doolin Pier. The shambles has been created by Clare County Council. In 1968 a deed of transfer was issued between a landowner and Clare County Council for 18 acres including the harbour area. “That deed of transfer was never processed and it has held …

The third Clare Burren Marathon Challenge took place at the weekend, bringing with it nearly 1,600 competitors, thousands of supporters and more than half a million euro for the local economy.“We had all the ingredients for a perfect occasion. The weather was stunning and it went very well,” said Gerry Reidy, event organiser.The marathon itself attracted a strong entry but it was the half marathon that had the highest number of participants. “The event also went well from a commerce point of view. The whole scene up there was very conducive to people staying in the area for the weekend and I think business people in the area were delighted with the take up. Every place was booked up for accommodation and food“We estimated that between the people participating and their families and friends, you are looking at half a million euro being left in North Clare over the weekend,” Mr Reidy said.Local businesses were not the only beneficiaries, as …

A SOUTH Galway school recently launched an initiative aimed at raising funds to provide vital parking facilities outside its premises.Two famous past pupils of Lurga National School, jockey Derek O’Connor and Galway hurler Joe Gantley were on hand to launch the project for a new school car park and set down area at the weekend. The Alliance National Hurling League Cup was also in attendance at Whelan’s Pub, Shanaglish.A number of near misses outside of the school means building works are crucial for the safety of children at the school.“There have been a few close calls so it is seen as a health and safety issue. Everyone has cars now so it is more of an issue now than it used to be. It has really come to the fore as a result of the near misses,” said a representative of the school’s board of management.Event organisers are hopeful work will begin on the area early in the summer and …

CAR parking on a dangerous bend on the outskirts of Kinvara is expected to cease in two weeks’ time at which point, it is hoped a new car park will be available for motorists visiting historic Dunguaire Castle.There had been some complaints about the closure of a car park close to Dunguaire. The closure, a number of people argued, was leading to tourists parking dangerously on the side of the road on a bend. Shannon Development, through Shannon Heritage, had operated a carpark near Dunguaire Castle but this is no longer open.“The car park we had been using wasn’t available to us anymore. Since then, we have been looking to find another car park. We have started work on a car park close to the castle and it should be ready for the June Bank Holiday weekend,” a spokesperson for Shannon Development told The Clare Champion.According to local councillor Fianna Fáil’s Gerry Finnerty, the car park is much needed.“It would …

Residents and visitors in Mountshannon were left frustrated and angry last weekend when there were no public toilet facilities open to them.Throngs of people descended on the scenic East Clare village to enjoy the hot weather and to partake in activities on Lough Derg over the weekend but were aggrieved to learn the public toilets were locked. Despite assurances given to The Clare Champion last month that the facilities would be open from the May Bank Holiday weekend, they remained closed last weekend. Frustrated locals and business people have now called on the county council to rectify the situation, as the issue could cost the village tourists and visitors in the crucial summer period. Historian and author Gerard Madden, who also runs a boat service on Lough Derg, said, “It was the biggest crowd in 12 months up at Mountshannon. There were at least 500 people and everybody was complaining about the toilets. There is no excuse for it. It …

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that bringing forward the annual two-week closure of the day centre at Raheen Community Hospital in East Clare from August to June does not mean there are plans to shut the centre down.However, County Councillor Joe Cooney has said he is concerned about budgetary constraints at the facility and is hoping it would not mean further reductions in beds at the in-patient facility. “I would have grave concern for the day centre in Raheen. There was a meeting organised last Thursday, where a HSE representative outlined that they were bringing forward their holidays and there would be no two weeks’ holidays in August. It is inconvenient for people and some people have no plans organised,” Councillor Cooney commented. He outlined that the hospital lost three beds due to the HIQA report, down from 33 to 30, which he said is also a big concern. “I hope there will be no further reductions. It’s …

One of North Clare’s most famous tourist attractions looks set to expand, The Clare Champion can reveal.