Regional

AN application for planning permission for 28 houses at Station Road, Lahinch has been refused by Clare County Council. Victoria Cross Retail Limited had made the application for the development, which was met by a number of objections. Refusing the application, the Chief Executive’s Order made reference to the inadequate sewerage facilities in Lahinch and stated the development would be premature. This constraint is unlikely to be overcome in the immediate future. The order stated, “It is further considered that the proposed development of 28 houses to be serves by means of an on site wastewater treatment would set an undesirable precedent for development of further housing estates served by such ad hoc treatment systems. “Taken in conjunction with the level of existing and approved development in the vicinity (it) would result in a risk of pollution and would be prejudicial to public health.” The report also said the Council was not satisfied that the proposed use of an on-site …

LESS than a year after receiving formal approval from the Department of Rural and Community Development, the River Fergus walkway is proving one of the most popular recreational amenities in the Ennis area. In fact, the positive public reaction to the paved cycling and walking route from the Quin Road to Clareabbey has prompted a move to extend it to the Quay in Clarecastle where a trailhead development is being planned. Local Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says that proposals for a walking and cycling route linking Clarecastle to Ennis and on to the proposed West Clare Greenway have been under active consideration for several years. “The extensive engineering work on the Ennis South drainage scheme provided the opportunity to develop a walkway alongside the 1.5 kilometre length of the embankment. Because some of the groundwork and infrastructure was already in place, a high standard walkway could be delivered at a very competitive price,” Deputy Carey explained.  “Last March, Rural …

PUBLIC consultation is underway in East Clare in relation to the enhancement of the heart of Scariff, as the town gets set for major regeneration.  Almost one-third of people who have already given feedback on the ongoing project favour the removal of the area’s traditional cobblestones, while a significant number believe more parking is also needed.  The town is set for major rejuvenation following the awarding of €524,000 by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The allocation will go towards the provision of a long-awaited new public car park, an enterprise hub and the enhancement of the Market Square. The current consultation process, which will run until April 4, will feed into the the future of the historic Square and the works to be delivered under the current tranche of funding.   Last year, a number of enhancement options were commissioned by Scariff Town Team in partnership with Scariff Community Council, and funded by Clare County County, Clare Local …

EXPANDING the benefits of the West Clare Railway across North Clare is the aim of a motion tabled by Councillor Joe Garrihy at the local municipal district earlier this month.  The Lisdoonvarna man called for plan to link Corofin, Carron, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Liscannor and Lahinch with a greater range of walking and cycle routes “to ensure these settlements and communities have appropriate attractive and safe linkage to the overall West Clare Greenway in progress and the Green Road to the Burren, Fanore and Ballyvaughan”. Councillor Garrihy also asked that cycle and walking connectivity from from North Clare to County Galway through Bellharbour, New Quay to Kinvara and Boston/Tubber area to Gort be progressed. “Cycling and walking amenities are among our most successful tourism offerings,” he told the meeting.  The motion was backed by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Cillian Murphy who agreed with the potential that connectivity to the West Clare Greenway offered.  Councillor Joe Killeen agreed with the huge benefits of …

MEMBERS of the public are encouraged to attend an information evening on the next phase of the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration this week. The information meeting will be hosted by Clare County Council on Thursday, March 31. The next phase of the regeneration of the Ennis Public Realm will involve major construction works at O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Barrack Street, O’Connell Square and Barrack Square. According to a spokesperson for Clare County Council, “The Public Realm Regeneration will significantly improve accessibility for pedestrians through the introduction of shared surface arrangements and by increasing footpath widths where possible. “Advance enabling works involving the replacement of water mains by Irish Water and the upgrading of ESB underground cables are scheduled to commence in May 2022. “The Public Realm Regeneration project works will follow thereafter. It is unavoidable that road closures will be necessary during construction. “The Squares (Barrack Square and O’Connell Square) will be significantly enhanced to improve their amenity …

A REDEVELOPED astroturf facility was officially opened last week at St Patrick’s Comprehensive, with much praise for the generosity of Ei Electronics, who funded it. Ei Electronics has made substantial contributions to numerous local organisations over the years, doing a huge amount to improve the social fabric of Shannon and the wider region. St Patrick’s Comprehensive principal Mary Costello said the school community was very grateful for the support. “Ei Electronics are market leaders in fire and gas detection but they are also world leaders in their incredible social consciousness and community efforts,” she said. “Ei is renowned for their vision and commitment to their local community and we are humbled that we were chosen to benefit from that generosity.” Speaking about the development of Shannon, the Comprehensive and Ei Electronics, Ms Costello said, “St Patrick’s Comprehensive school was the first comprehensive school in the country, established in 1966 and like Ei has committed to quality, innovation and partnership. “The …

RECRUITS about to finish their training as part of the Shannon Airport Fire Service/Police climbed Croagh Patrick recently while wearing full fire kit, to raise money for Milford Care Centre. Nine people took part including Mark Kirwan, who said several of the group had an attachment to the chosen charity. “As a group we decided to do something for charity and we chose Milford Care Centre because a number of us would have had someone who went through there at some point. “The transport and food was organised by the airport itself, we left the airport at around 7am and arrived up there around 10am. It took us about two hours to get to the top.” While the weather was quite good, it was a very tough challenge. “It was pretty tough with the fire gear and the boots, but there was an awful lot of support from other people going up and down. In total it would have taken …

United Airlines has resumed its daily nonstop seasonal service between Shannon and New York/Newark for the first time since October 2019. The service is set to operate until October 29 2022 and departs daily at 12.30pm. Welcoming the restart of the New York/Newark service, Mary Considine, CEO of Shannon Group said: “United Airlines is a very valued airline partner of Shannon, and we are delighted to welcome them back to our airport as they restore this vital transatlantic service. “With its hub status and onward connections, the Newark service is extremely important for our business passengers and is a key component of our transatlantic connectivity for our region and the broader west of Ireland.” “We are delighted to return to Shannon Airport in 2022 and resume nonstop services to the United States,” said Martina Coogan, United’s Sales Manager Ireland. “With the return of service to New York/Newark, our customers in the west of Ireland can take advantage of a direct …