South Clare

Additional information concerning a controversial marina development in Killaloe has been sought by Clare County Council, amid concern from local residents about compliance for existing planning permission.The local planning department has requested Ian Symington, c/o Neil Bennett MRAI, 3 Riverfront, Howley’s, to submit revised plans for the retention of nine existing berths at the marina at Harbour Village, Scariff Road, Killaloe, in accordance with plans submitted last September. It expressed concern that the site layout plan as received was not an accurate illustration of the existing marina layout at the site.An application submitted by the same applicant last year to reorganise a previously permitted inland marina, provide 48 new berths within the marina and retain nine existing berths at Harbour Village was refused by the county council.On inspection of the marina, the council claimed that the site layout plan differs from the actual situation on site, which has a wooden walkway at the side of one of the berths proposed …

For years, Matthew Corry has harboured a desire to visit the Great Wall of China but his commitments on the family farm at Tyreda invariably saw travel put on the back burner. However, he never gave up hope that some day it might eventually come to pass. Recently, a window of opportunity presented itself when, as he leafed through the pages of The Farmer’s Journal, he stumbled on an article looking for volunteers to undertake a 60km trek in China next October. But it wasn’t that straightforward. There was an in-built condition as he had to raise a minimum of €5,000 for the beneficiary of the sponsored walk, the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght.Matthew was immediately sold on the idea because a few years ago he experienced first-hand the dedication and professionalism of the staff when his son, Calum, was a patient in the children’s hospital. He always wanted to show his appreciation in some tangible way and he now …

CLONLARA looks set to experience significant growth over the coming years once new sanitary services schemes, totalling €9.1 million, are fully completed.Lack of adequate sewerage facilities is one of the major stumbling blocks that developers of housing schemes have to overcome before Clare County Council grants planning permission.It has been cited as one of the reasons why planning permissions for numerous developments in Killaloe have been turned down in recent years.However, this issue will not be a problem in Clonlara after Clare County Council signed a contract worth almost €1.6 million with Carty Contractors Ltd, of Ballisodare, County Sligo to provide new sewerage facilities for the sprawling South-East Clare village.County manager, Tom Coughlan predicted Clonlara would be very well served for its water and wastewater requirements as a result of the new sewerage project and the completion of the €7.5 million Gillogue Serviced Land Initiative Water Supply Improvements Contract in 2007.“Completion of this scheme will ensure that capacity is provided …

THOUSANDS of people living in South-East Clare will benefit from reduced waiting times following the opening of a new primary health centre in the heart of Westbury.That’s according to Clare health manager, Dr Fergal Flynn, who explained that more primary care services such as physiotherapy and speech therapy services would be made available to residents at the new centre, which was officially opened last week.“Previously, patients would have to travel to Shannon, Ennis or other centres for such services. If you also consider the travel time, how the patients and their families/carers may have to organise their lives around appointments, having these services available locally is very significant.  “Clients are seen in a more timely fashion by healthcare professionals whom they are familiar with, thereby often resulting in a more satisfactory outcome for both client and healthcare worker,” he said.Primary care development officer, Alice McGinley, said one of the major problems in the past with primary care was the fragmentation …

OVER two decades of hard work and innovation paved the way for an Ardnacrusha businessman to scoop the top gong at the country’s largest retail sector awards last weekend. Instore managing director, Oliver Moloney was the toast of the retail sector after his furniture outlet at Stillorgan, Dublin was named National Store of the Year 2009 at the FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards.He was presented with his award by Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan at a gala event held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on Saturday night. Hosted by RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan, the awards ceremony was attended by 500 representatives of the retail industry in Ireland. Instore was one of 13 recipients from across the country to scoop an award at the annual event, which seeks to recognise and reward high standards of excellence across the entire retail industry. In addition to being judged Best Extra Large Store of the Year, Instore beat off stiff competition from Meteor, which …

SHANNON Town Council presented its Liosta na Laochra awards and distributed its community grants last week, with a number of national title winners honoured.

AN €8,000 cut in the town council’s budget is an “insult” to the people of Shannon, according to Councillor Gerry Flynn.

A FORMER Ardnacrusha-based garda has revealed the circumstances surrounding his inclusion in an award-winning photograph, which hangs in the National Garda Museum over 28 years since it was first taken.