South Clare

CHILDREN in Cratloe and the surrounding areas could be playing in a new playground at Cratloe Woods, costing in the region of €180,000, by the end of the summer.Galway-based Nordon Landscape Limited recently started construction work at Spraoi Sa Choill, which is expected to take between six to eight weeks.The landscaping company signed a contract with the Cratloe Community Playground Committee a few months ago. Children from Cratloe National School gave their suggestions for the new name, which translates into fun in the woods.Clare County Council granted planning permission for the new playground at the entrance to Cratloe Woods from the Gallows Hill Road last year. The planning authority gave the green light despite a strong objection signed by 86 residents, who claimed the site was unsuitable, as it attracted a large amount of anti-social behaviour in the past.While some residents were concerned about the possibility of anti-social behaviour, playground committee chairperson, Mary Foley told The Clare Champion she hadn’t …

Not content with mounting their successful campaign against a change in the South-East Clare boundary, a lobby group has sets its sights on ensuring all Clare people can vote for local general election candidates.Clare Against the Boundary Extension (CABE) could have folded its tent after Environment Minister Phil Hogan turned down the proposed transfer of over 3,000 people from Westbury, Shannon Banks and parts of Clonlara to the jurisdiction of a new Limerick authority, as recommended in the Limerick Local Government Report.CABE has consistently lobbied Government ministers and deputies opposing the extension of the Limerick City boundary into South-East Clare, which was actively sought by Limerick City Council in a number of submissions dating back to 1995.While some people may have expected this group to disband following Minister Hogan’s pledge that his decision will not be revisited in the foreseeable future, it has now turned its sights to a new challenge – the return of an estimated 5,000 people living …

Improving the access to the Clare campus of the University of Limerick would make South-East Clare even more attractive as a place of residence for students and staff, according to Labour Party TD Michael McNamara.Deputy McNamara has asked Clare County Council to implement one of the key recommendations of the new  2011 to 2017 Clare County Development Plan concerning access to the university from the Clare side.A key objective of the County Development Plan is to “support and encourage the further expansion onto the north side of the River Shannon of the University of Limerick campus and increase access from County Clare”.“The university, catering for approximately 14,000 students, has developed significantly in recent years on the Clare side of the River Shannon and now boasts two residential villages, a road and pedestrian bridge, the health sciences and World Academy of Music and Dance buildings, a medical school, sports pitches and recreational facilities.“Clare County Council and the university will continue to …

History hung heavily in the Meelick air last Sunday at the commemorative celebrations honouring the 90th anniversary of a local ambush.Members of the Meelick Ambush Committee were rewarded for their months of hard work when a number of events to mark the death of two members of the IRA’s East Clare Brigade went off without a hitch. Even the gods smiled kindly on the committee, as the sun shone throughout the proceedings.Christopher McCarthy and Michael Gleeson were shot dead by British soldiers during the War of Independence when an IRA plan to raid the Limerick to Ennis train went awry on June 15, 1921.Just before the new monument was being unveiled honouring the deceased duo near the railway bridge on the Woodcock Hill Road, Meelick, the Limerick to Ennis train flew past and the driver blew the horn.Michael Gleeson’s grand-nephew, Tom Gleeson turned to the re-enactment group and joked, “Don’t attack this train today”. Three generations of the Gleeson and …

OVER 60 businesses in the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe have supported the biggest line-up of family fun-filled events for the eagerly-awaited Féile Brian Boru Festival.Local traders are anticipating a major boost in their tills over the coming days as people from the Mid-West flock to the lakeside town for an action-packed programme.Speaking at the official launch of the festival in the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina, Killaloe on Thursday night, committee chairman, John Grimes confirmed the support they received on a local level was phenomenal.“The 2011 programme of events is the biggest yet. Féile Brian Boru 2011 is another milestone on the road to the build-up to the millennium celebrations in 2014,” he said.Speaking to The Clare Champion, Mr Grimes said over 100 young Irish dancers took part in the feis in the Lakeside Hotel on Sunday. They included entrants from Cork, Dublin and one from the United States of America.He said initiatives such as the Arts Trail brought a …

SIX potential routes for a major new €40 million ring road around Limerick City have been unveiled by local authorities.Clare County Council, in conjunction with Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council, has commenced the planning process to advance the development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road and associated infrastructure from a location on the eastern end of the proposed Coonagh-Knockalisheen Strategic Route to a tie-in with the R445 (old N7) in County Limerick.The scheme will comprise the design and construction of approximately10km of road, which will include a crossing of the Ardnacrusha Tailrace and the River Shannon, together with possible crossings of the Blackwater and Mulkear Rivers.It has emerged that there will be only one crossing of the Head Race Canal at the Tail Race between Parteen village and the ESB Station in Ardnacrusha. It is understood the ESB ruled out other crossings in the area due to costs.Four possible crossing points coinciding with roundabouts on the Dublin side …

BRENDAN Cooney will be hoping for calm conditions when he starts a 123km kayak trip from Athlone Weir, County Westmeath to Two Mile Gate in Killaloe on Thursday.If the going gets tough, the 52-year-old Quin man will draw inspiration from the memory of his late mother, Nancy, who died with Alzheimer’s in September 1999.Even though he hasn’t set any monetary target for the demanding challenge, he hopes it will increase awareness for Alzheimer’s and the need to support services.After developing Alzheimer’s in 1996, Nancy received great support from the Clarecastle and District Day Care Centre, which also helped to provide some respite for her sister-in-law, Helen Cooney who was taking care of her until she died.The Inspector of Navigation in Waterways Ireland, Charlie Lawn has been a great help to Brendan, while his brother, Austin has helped him out with his training over the last few months and will also provide shore support during the challenge. As part of his …

The dramatic collapse in new housing construction in Ballina and Killaloe has resulted in unused sewage capacity that could cater for over 280 people, a local engineer has claimed.Civil engineer Michael G O’Brien has provided an analysis on the capacity of the sewage treatment facility at Ballina in a recent submission to Clare County Council planning department, concerning Smith O’Brien’s GAA Club’s application for a replacement dressing room and clubhouse.Mr O’Brien stated people are aware that the treatment system at Ballina was closed to additional discharge from Killaloe following the granting of a number of planning permissions in the area between 1998 and 2004.He estimates at least 87 houses and 14 three-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom apartments approved for planning permission before the “planning freeze” was put in place against extra development have not been completed.He pointed out the 87 houses were granted permission in 2004, which expired in April 2010. “To date, only 30 of these houses have been started, …