West Clare

FOLLOWING Eddie Lenihan sharing the story of his rental nightmare in Kilkee, local councillor Cillian Murphy says it illustrates a wider problem in the seaside town. “There’s no getting away from the fact that people who want to live permanently in the town can’t get long term rentals. “Eddie isn’t the only one that we know of, I think it really crystallises what we’re losing. Here’s a guy with a job who can work remotely, can elect to live in Kilkee, they have a family and it’s a loss to the community, the kids are a loss to our schools and sporting organisations. “Eddie would have been very involved with Foróige, with the football clubs and sporting organizations, as would his wife. The social capital that that family unit brought to the town is gone. “It just shows in one family the loss to our community of not having long term rentals available and affordable housing.” Councillor Murphy said that …

THE prospect that Clare may not have the infrastructure in place to take on offshore windfarm contracts was raised at the most recent West Clare Municipal District meeting. Councillor Ian Lynch proposed on May 3 that West Clare MD invite developers such as Simplify Blue Group to give a presentation to the members on the anticipated infrastructural requirements. There should, he said, be a specific focus on harbour developments, for maximisation of the project’s potential in the community. Councillor Lynch went against his own motion to illustrate that Clare is moving towards the possibility of these contracts at a far slower rate than needed, which will send investors to Kerry or Galway. He continued that he believes the starting point for moving forward with Clare’s offshore potential is to put the question out to the public, not discussing it as though the contracts are already set in stone while no preparation is done. He said: “You can see it from …

WEST Clare has another feather in its tourism cap now a pathway improving access to Carrigaholt Castle has been opened. In glorious, sunshine last Saturday, during the annual May Weekend Oyster and Trad Festival Pat Dowling, CEO of Clare County Council cut the ribbon on the pathway gate leading to the iconic Castle. Among the group of locals and visitors gathered at the official opening were some of the Ukrainians staying in Kilkee. Mr Dowling made the observation that the Ukrainians relish their freedom and we are reminded of how important our freedom is. The opening of the pathway to the castle is symbolic, he said, of the freedoms we enjoy here. Also knows as MacMahon Tower House, the castle was built in 1480 and home to last Gaelic chieftain to rule on the Loop Head Peninsula. This new attraction for Carrigaholt, the Loop Head Peninsula and the county has been opened up for all to stroll down to the …

A PACKED Cooraclare Hall witnessed renowned historian and author, Eoin Shanahan, formally launch the booklet on the War of Independence in West Clare last week. Mr Shanahan described the booklet as a lasting tribute to the men and women who had made a significant contribution to sovereign independence. He praised the members of the area committees who had organised commemoration events in 2021 and had contributed articles to the booklet. The launch had a very poignant moment when two young boys, Rory Shanahan, great grandnephew of activist Willie Shanahan, and Conor Larkin, grandson of JT Larkin, lit the commemoration candle to the memory of all volunteers from every townland and district in west Clare. A minute’s silence was observed and this was followed by a moving rendition of ‘Mise Éire’ by Conor and Gráinne Fennell. A well-deserved standing ovation was accorded to the commemoration chairman, JT Larkin, for overseeing 16 separate commemoration events across west Clare. Mr Larkin said that …

THE decision not to include any representatives of Clare County Council to the new Shannon Estuary Economic Task Force has been criticised by Clare Senator Timmy Dooley, who said he is “shocked and frankly very disappointed”. Ten people are included on the Task Force, including Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine and Ennis-based business consultant Siobhan Dolan Clancy.  However there is no representative from Clare County Council, or indeed from the local authorities in Limerick and Kerry. The full membership of the taskforce is as follows: • Barry O’Sullivan (Chairperson) – formerly of J&J and current IDA Board Member • Mary Considine – CEO Shannon Group • Siobhan Dolan Clancy – Managing Director – SDC Business Consulting Ltd • Seán Hegarty – ESB Generation and Trading • Seamus Hoyne – Dean of Flexible and Work Place Learning – Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest • Pat Keating – CEO Shannon Foynes Port Company • Professor Eamonn Murphy – University of …

ASPECTS of the forthcoming new development plan for Clare will be revisited now that wastewater facilities are to be upgraded in the village of Kilmihil. It follows a call from Councillor Cillian Murphy who told the April meeting of the local authority that the zoning map, and population and housing allocation, for the village must now be revised. “Kilmihil is a progressive place and I would describe the People’s Park there as world class,” he said. “The area has suffered from stymied growth due to the lack of wastewater services, but now that is to change and that should be acknowledged in the plan.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Ian Lynch, who agreed that the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 must be looked at once again for the Kilmihil area.  “This needs a lot more work and debate,” added Councillor Gerry Flynn. The Independent member paid tribute to Director of Services Liam Conneally and his team for their …

SPECIALIST ‘Bat Tiles’ have been put in place in the roof of Kilrush Courthouse to allow Natterer bats to continue to live in their Maternity Bat roost there. The spend on the ‘Bat Tiles’ is part of an estimated €198,000 remedial works to the building that is now once more staging courts after a gap of eight months. Welcoming the return of court sittings to Kilrush, a spokesman for the Courts Service said last week, “The protection of this roost will ensure that the Natterer Bats and their pups can continue to reside there.” At the first sitting of the court since last July, Judge Mary Larkin told the court, “I hope the bats are happy upstairs and they are adequately provided as we are here”. Judge Larkin said that she was “delighted” that court sittings have resumed in Kilrush. Judge Larkin said, “Justice needs to operate locally and be seen to operate locally.” She added, “It is terribly important …

SCIENCE loving pupils at St Cuan’s National School, Kilbaha, are enjoying the breakfast of champions after success in a national competition, with popular morning foodstuffs playing a key role in their entry. A group of fourth to sixth class students at the school achieved the Sustainability award at the Intel Mini-Scientist Competition, in which 4,000 students from 18 counties competed. The students developed a project which explored “Natural Glue vs Synthetic Glue” with porridge and Weetabix among the ingredients they used as possible glue alternatives. Teacher Sarah Cunningham told The Clare Champion, “We are so delighted to receive one of the top prizes on grand final day, national champions for sustainability. “The grand final took place via Zoom. The students were both shocked and delighted to have their names called out over the live Zoom event. “They received a beautiful glass trophy, Grand Final Medals and a STEM kit to keep and bring home.” The national competition is open to …