Shannon

SHANNON suffered a double whammy on the jobs front this week with the shedding of 75 jobs at the technology support company, Sykes Enterprises and the closure of the discount retailer, BuyLo in the town centre.

This Sunday, St John’s National School in Shannon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation and Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert, Trevor Williams, will come to the school for a special service.School principal Tina Noone said the school was set up to cater for the population of what was then an emerging town. “The school was set up in 1961 to meet the needs of the international community in Shannon because a lot of people were coming in from abroad to the industrial area. The numbers have fluctuated over the years and now we have a two-teacher school with a shared learning support. We get people from Quin down to Cratloe and into Shannon.”She said the school had received an Active Schools flag from the Department of Education in January and is very grateful for all the support it has received from the local community over the last half-century. It is a two-teacher co-educational school. …

Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes recently officially opened a new compost demonstration site at the allotments in Shannon and presented Master Composters volunteers with their graduation certificates.The compost demonstration site is open to the public to visit and includes turning units, leaf mould and composting bins. The compost demonstration site has been supported by Clare County Council and the Stop Food Waste Initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency. Councillor Hayes paid tribute to those receiving certificates. “Food waste prevention is a very important issue and I wish to applaud the Master Composters here today, who have put great effort into learning about techniques for prevention and composting of food and garden waste. We are lucky to have such fine volunteers available to us and Clare County Council is proud to be associated with this programme.”The Master Composters volunteers are available to offer advice to members of the public on food waste prevention and composting. Donal O’Leary of the Stop Food …

SHANNON’S Kieran McCarthy is going to take on a unique challenge to raise funds for cystic fibrosis next month. The 32-year-old is going to swim three kilometres at Shannon pool, hop on his bike and cycle over 200km to Dublin and then run 26.2 miles in the Dublin City Marathon.Clearly, it will take an immense effort but Kieran says he has been working hard and knows what he’s letting himself in for.“I’ve done four marathons and I’ve done a couple of triathlons so I’ve a fair idea what I’m letting myself in for. I’ve been training for the last year and people who’ve done Iron Mans have given me a few tips. The lads in the leisure centre have given me a nutrition plan as well.”He will begin the swimming at 7.30pm on October 30 and he says the challenge is in keeping with the cause he is working for. “For CF patients exercise is very good and swimming, cycling …

CLARE VEC has been granted planning permission for a temporary change of use of an existing house to office and educational use at Smithstown.Permission was also given to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment system to a proprietary waste treatment system with percolation area and associated site works.The decision to grant planning came despite an objection from Councillor Patricia McCarthy, while her colleague on Shannon Town Council and Clare County Council, Gerry Flynn, made a representation in favour of the application.In her objection, Councillor McCarthy stated, “I have serious reservations in respect of this change of use planning application given the current position whereby there are a large number of business premises vacant throughout Shannon, in the town and in the industrial areas, the majority of which would be suitable for the proposed development.“Further I have concerns that there is a proposal to upgrade an existing waste treatment system, when there is an existing mains system in close proximity and to …

THERE will be no more antenatal classes at Shannon Health Centre after the end of this month.

SECOND Chance Animal Rescue, a voluntary group based in Shannon, has opened a charity shop in Shannon Town Centre.

IT looks as if there will be no inquiry into the long running saga surrounding the controversial housing development at Cluain Airne.