Regional

Point-to-point fans are in for a real treat this weekend, with the annual County Clare Hunt Easter Sunday meeting at Quakerstown set to attract a huge attendance. To say there is something for everyone on offer at the scenic Boston venue would be an understatement, as a host of extra-curricular activities have been laid-on to keep all ages entertained. Trade stands, a dog show, artisan food stalls, pony rides, most appropriately dressed person competition, a pony race and a hound display are just some of the attractions on offer on what is guaranteed a fun day out for all the family. An official launch of Sunday’s meeting took place at Hotel Woodstock in Ennis last Friday night where the guests included top jockeys Eoin Mahon and Derek O’Connor. A presentation was also made to jockey Mark McDonagh to mark his recent run of success that included his first Cheltenham Festival victory. The Co Clare Hunt will also be supporting the …

RESIDENTS living in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis are calling for action to address an increasing amount of traffic and speeding in the locality. Their concerns were highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Mark Nestor sought the replacement of an existing speed ramp and for the erection of additional ‘slow down’ and ‘children at play’ road signage at Gordon Drive. The councillor outlined that a number of residents have made representations highlighting their worries about the amount of cars speeding on the road. He also pointed out that the popular astro-turf facility on the road is resulting in even more traffic coming into the area. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, told the meeting the Ennis Municipal District will carry out a road safety assessment in Gordan Drive giving consideration to all signage, speed ramps and line marking. “Any necessary repairs will be included in this years SMDW,” he added. Councillor Nestor welcomed the response …

THE East Clare Memorial Committee will begin its second century of commemoration this Easter Sunday.  The group, who have annually commemorated both the East Clare IRA and Scariff Martyrs across the last 100 years, have once again planned to remember those who fought for Irish independence.  At the East Clare Memorial Park in Tuamgraney, where the East Clare IRA and Cumann na mBan Brigades are commemorated, a wreath will be laid at 10am. This year, Chairman of the West Clare Brigade Commemoration Group, JT Larkin, will be called on to perform the ceremonial duty.  Mr Larkin will lay a wreath in honour of the West and East Clare IRA Brigades who combined in April 1921 to attack the heavily militarised town of Kilrush. In April 2021, members of the East Clare Memorial Committee travelled to West Clare to acknowledge the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Kilrush Ambush.  At the ground of Scariff Roman Catholic Church, a wreath will …

AROUND 250 people turned out for a welcoming barbecue held at Wolfe Tones on Saturday, with around 100 of them newly arrived Ukrainians. It was the brainchild of the Love Shannon Community Council as the group’s Assistant Secretary Fiona O’Brien Maxwell explained. “We had a member of the group who said it’d be great if we could organise a barbecue and get someone like Wolfe Tones to host it for us. I know the operations manager through work, we supply Wolfe Tones with a lot of stuff so I got onto Paul Hogan there and he said just give me a hand in pulling one or two bits together and we’ll make it work. It grew legs from there, basically it was a welcome barbecue and it was open to the whole town.” All were welcome to attend and Love Shannon gave transport to the club for the new arrivals. “The invitation was extended to the town basically, to whoever …

TWO men from opposite ends of the world convened in Kilrush last week to discuss the possibility of shooting a film based in the west Clare town. Joe Riley, now living in Sydney had his autobiography (initially known as Ghosts of Kilrush and now as Life in Kilrush) published a number of years ago and he was in west Clare to meet Chris Cusack from Grafton Productions in Hollywood. “What’s happened is the film rights, I sold them to an American company in Hollywood. The film producer has flown from LA to here, and I’ve come from Australia to here,” said Joe. While there is no indication yet as to when production might start, he said that a script has been written, various other preparations made and an overall investment of in the region of one million dollars made. “I haven’t come from Australia for the fun of it, and he hasn’t come from LA for the fun of it,” …

AN application to extend a mobile home holiday park in Kilkee has been refused permission by the local authority. Cunningham’s Holiday Park at Well Road, Kilkee Lower, had applied to extend and provide an additional 20 mobile home sites. A number of objections had been made to the proposed development. A cover letter accompanying the planning application said, “The proposed development consists of an extension to the existing holiday park (mobile home park). “The proposed extension will be located within the applicant’s own lands, which adjoin the existing park and the extension will accommodate an additional 20 serviced mobile home sites. “All 20 sites will be for static mobile homes and will be sold individually to private clients as is the case with the existing park.” An objection made by a number of residents of Dunlickey Road stated, “There are too many mobile homes in Kilkee at present, more mobile homes than residents. “These mobiles are unoccupied for most of …

LOCALS and visitors to Ennis and Clarecastle can enjoy walking and cycling on a new riverside route thanks to the collaborative approach taken by Clare County Council and community groups. Last week Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened the River Fergus Walk and Cycleway, which came about after it was necessary to build an access road for a flood relief scheme. This new route runs from the R469 Quin Road in Ennis to the N85 Roundabout at Clareabbey along an area of significant recreational and visual amenity value. The paved walkway along the river is approximately 1.5km and provides a link between the two roads, resulting in a looped walk of 5.5km. The area is rich in heritage and biodiversity and the project is expected to generate significant tourism and educational benefits. Minister Humphreys also met representatives of Clarecastle Tidy Towns where she reviewed the streetscape enhancements that was funded by the Town and Villages Renewal funding from the …

RESIDENTS of an East Clare housing estate who have spent almost two decades with unfinished roads and kerbs are to have their situation addressed before the end of the year.  Councillor Alan O’Callaghan confirmed that Clare County Council has pledged to carry out works at Maigh Dara in Quin, including a final overlay of tar, as well as repairs to kerbs and paths. Close to €200,000 has been sourced by the local authority to tackle the long-standing problem which has affected the 45-home estate since the estate was built around 17 years ago.  “There are fairly extensive works to be done and I’m delighted that the Council has been able to sources the funds needed,” said Councillor O’Callaghan. “The money will come from a number of different pots and will run to more than €190,000. Many residents have been living with this since the estate was built and having man holes protruding and other issues has been a big inconvenience …