West Clare

The gauntlet has been thrown down to Shannon Development to stimulate the economic revival of Kilrush by playing a proactive role in the creation of new job opportunities.Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has hatched an action plan for the town, which it says if implemented in the Kilrush Creek Marina and landbank areas “would result in new and increased commercial activities and the provision of new skilled jobs in greater Kilrush”.Already the report has been forwarded to Shannon Development chief executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane, for his consideration and Kilrush Chamber admits that the town, because of its size and geographic location, is unlikely to be a prominent forerunner in the garnering of new international or national-based industries.“Kilrush must therefore look into itself for its own salvation. Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has identified the Shannon Development-owned and operated Kilrush Creek Marina facility as presenting an excellent location for the creation of a mixed commercial, tourism, educational and social development.“The facility contains large …

The developers of a proposed six-turbine windfarm near Kilmaley have confirmed that 26,704m3 of soil will be extracted to facilitate the development.Clare County Council requested Seahound Wind Energy Developments Limited to address a number of concerns and issues concerning the construction of six wind turbines with a maximum hub height of 90m, maximum blade diameter of 93m, one permanent meteorological mast, access road and internal side tracks, electricity sub-station, underground cabling and all associated site works.In its further information request the council expressed concern about conflicting statements concerning the total volume of excavated material and noted this is as high as 46,350m3 in Section 10.311 of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and 26,704m3 in another section.The planning authority noted some slight discrepancies between the stated peat depths and slopes having regard to the peat probe tests, gouge core tests and trial pits.It expressed concerns about the potential of land slippage around the location of turbine six and in ­particular the …

ON Saturday night, November 26, 11 West Clare dancing couples will take to the dance floor in the Armada Hotel in aid of the Doonbeg charity Help the Cherven Orphans. The event will be along the lines of Strictly Come Dancing. Headed up by Edel Smith from Doonbeg, who is a primary school teacher at Carrigaholt National School, the charity is aiming to build a halfway house for teenagers and young adults in Belarus. Each couple will represent a West Clare parish and while some of those due to take to the dance floor are noted dancers, a few have yet to be lauded for their dancing skills. The couples are Marianne Hackney and Michael Liddane (Cross); Biddy and Fintan Ryan (Carrigaholt); Dermot Tubridy and Marie Galvin (Cooraclare); Joe Garry and Bernie Kelly (Cree); Caroline Kennedy and Conor Whelan (Doonbeg); Carmel Muldoon and David Russell (Kilkee); Conor Crowley and Eimear Considine (Kilmihil); Eamon and Mary Keane (Kilmurry McMahon); Tara Flynn …

Star of the Sea Church in Quilty will this week celebrate its centenary with a series of events. Just over 100 years ago it was decided to build a church in the village and money was donated by local people and their friends in other parts of Ireland, England and the United States of America. In addition, the French government made a small donation available for those who engaged in the rescue of the French ship Leon XIII, which occurred in October 1907 when a raging storm hit the Clare coast, causing the ship to be swept on the reefs near Quilty. Using only their currachs, the fishermen of Quilty braved the terrible conditions and made several attempts to rescue the crew of the stricken ship and managed to bring ashore 13 of the 22 sailors. By the following day, the wind had calmed slightly and a British steamer arrived on the scene, resulting in the rescue of the remaining …

The 12th annual Willie Keane Memorial Weekend will be held in Doonbeg from Friday to Monday. The weekend of music will start on Friday at 10pm in both The Igoe Inn and Comerford’s, with separate sessions of music and singing. Saturday will feature a sean nós workshop in Doonbeg hall from 2 to 5pm, while a céilí for children and teens will be held in Doonbeg National School from 5pm to 7pm on the same day. On Saturday evening, Doonbeg hall will host a traditional concert featuring Seán Keane from 8pm. Doors will open at 7.15pm. The concert will also feature Andrew MacNamara, Orla Harrington and Jimmy Higgins and Kate Purcell accompanied by Yuki Nishioka. Sunday will start with a traditional breakfast in Tubridy’s from 10am to 1pm. All proceeds will be donated to Help the Cherven Orphans. Bernadette Níc Gabhann, John, Ciara and Eilis Murphy will provide the music. A mass in memory of Willie Keane will he held …

KILRUSH Town Council has confirmed that an application for funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been made for the first phase of an integrated sports facility in Kilrush. The estimated cost of phase one is €500,000.Last week’s Kilrush Town Council meeting heard that phase one will include an artificial pitch, grass pitches, which will include a full-size playing pitch and two training pitches, fencing and lighting. Phase two will incorporate dressing rooms, car parking and footpaths.The town council is hopeful that they will receive 90% of the total costs of phase one, as the location lies in a designated CLAR area. The complex is to be located where the current ESB Moneypoint sports facilities are situated.“The council currently awaits a decision from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the funding application for phase one. The development is expected to commence in late October, subject to grant funding being approved,” Kilrush town clerk, …

THE West Clare Family Resource Centre is to host an information workshop called Are You Minding Yourself? which will focus on mental health for older people and their families.The workshop will be held on Monday, November 7 from 11.30am in the Youth Centre, Fahy’s Road, Kilrush. The main purpose of the workshop is to encourage a positive approach to ageing and being older by promoting a healthy attitude towards mental health and other issues.In these tough economic times people need to look after themselves and their families, so it is vital that the community responds to the stress people are facing today. The workshop will be facilitated by Johanna Treacy, who has expertise in the areas of mental health, personal and community development. She will work with people to look at the various aspects of mental health that older people may have concerns with.A speaker from SHINE, which is a national organisation dedicated to upholding the rights and addressing the …

WEST Clare-based company, Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited will shortly be lodging planning permission for the development of a 45-turbine windfarm at Shragh and Mountrivers in Doonbeg. Following lengthy consultations with An Bord Pleanála, the company has been advised that the proposed development is of strategic importance and that the planning application must be lodged directly to An Bord Pleanála. The planning application will include permission for a 360˚ viewing platform at the top of one of the turbines. This would be the first viewing tower of its type in Ireland and one of only six worldwide at present. It is hoped that this would become a major tourist attraction in West Clare. The company also has plans to develop an interpretative centre in Doonbeg on the generation of wind energy and the history of energy generation in County Clare from peat to hydro to fossil to wind. This facility would be open to tourists and educational groups.     It is …