West Clare

Since Loop Head Lighthouse was opened to the public on July 18, 12,000 people have visited the 341-year-old lighthouse in Kilbaha. Such has been the public interest in visiting the iconic building, Clare County Council has extended what they term “visitor access trial” at Loop Head until Sunday, October 3. Since the lighthouse opened, visitors have often had to wait for up to an hour, given the visitor numbers. The short tour involves a small group climbing to the top of the lighthouse and viewing the spectacular vista. The lighthouse will remain open seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm throughout the remainder of August and all through September. This Sunday, an open day will be held from 10am to 4pm of the lighthouse keeper’s house, which is operated by The Irish Landmark Trust. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the restored property. Chairman of the West Clare Task Force, Councillor Oliver Garry, said the decision to …

KILMIHIL couple, Michael and Maureen Mescall are looking for four teachers to help with their charitable work in Tanzania from next January.The couple run a registered charity, Tanzania Village Renewal, which carries out small jobs in villages in Tanzania, mainly in regard to educational matters. In November 2010, 16 builders travelled to Tanzania for two weeks and built an extension to a school in a village called Suji, which is situated in the Paré Mountains. It is about an hour from the airport at Kilimanjaro and near to the Serengeti and Ngorogoro game parks. The team of builders was led by John Clancy from Corofin and they were assisted by locals from Suji.“Five graduates of NUI Galway also accompanied us and have been teaching in Suji Malindi secondary school and will remain there until December 2011,” Maureen Mescall told The Clare Champion.“Prior to their arrival, the school had two teachers for the 450 pupils. These teachers have been a wonderful …

THE Marian Hall in Cooraclare is no more. The scene of many entertaining nights was demolished recently. However, on the site of the old hall, there is a brand new well-equipped children’s playground, which will continue to give entertainment and joy to the young people of the area.The site was first developed in 1846 when what was to be a very famous schoolhouse was officially opened. The first principal was Conor McDermott, who established one of the most important seats of learning in the West of Ireland. The report made by James Stuart Lawrie, assistant commissioner of the Royal Commission of Enquiry into Primary Education in Ireland 1869 highlights Mr McDermot’s achievements.“The best ordinary school visited by me was that of Cooraclare. The master of this secluded village school has earned the highest rewards granted, not alone by the board but also by the Science of Art Department, the number of his successful candidates at the last examination being in …

TOURISM in West and North Clare would benefit from the provision of a new looped walk from Loop Head to Black Head, according to Councillor Gabriel Keating.Speaking at a recent Kilrush Electoral Area meeting, Councillor Keating said walking is becoming a very popular recreational activity and has huge spin-offs for tourism once it is properly promoted.Councillor Keating proposed the provision of a walking route from Loop Head to Black Head should be developed to boost tourism in West Clare.Following the opening of Loop Head Lighthouse for the first time in 351 years, he explained this provided the council with an ideal opportunity to develop the tourism product in the area. Two years ago, he recalled the possibility of developing these walking trails was identified at a meeting in Kilkee and he suggested a lot could be learned from the way walks are developed in England.Councillor Pat Keane said a lot of work has been completed concerning the promotion of walks …

CLARE County Council director of services, Ger Dollard has not ruled out keeping Loop Head Lighthouse open to visitors for weekends during September. Mr Dollard was contacted by Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey, who suggested that the lighthouse remain open for longer than the trial period of July and August.“The September opening has already been raised with us and we are assessing same,” Mr Dollard replied. “At best it will be weekends only but I am not in a position to make a definitive call on it just yet. If it can be accommodated we certainly will but there are a number of issues to be resolved, including staffing issues,” he explained.“A number of constituents have been in touch with me asking if the trial period could be extended throughout September,” Deputy Carey said in his email to Mr Dollard. “Perhaps Clare County Council, together with your partners in Shannon Development and Loop Head Tourism, could re-evaluate your original position …

Kilrush Town Council has applied to the Department of Transport, Sport and Tourism to secure a grant for a sport facility in the West Clare capital town.

A West Clare councillor has added his voice to concerns raised last week that the designation of the Shannon Estuary as a Special Protection Area (SPA) to protect wildlife habitat could prevent a major development from going ahead.Councillor PJ Kelly told a recent Kilrush Electoral Area meeting that a large company in the United States was considering a new marine related enterprise on the estuary. However, Councillor Kelly warned the company is reluctant to make any decision until fully satisfied this enterprise wouldn’t be affected by the proposed SPA designation.Director of service, Nora Kaye, outlined a scoping report for a new tender brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary that has been completed.The consultants will be required to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and a Habitats Directive Assessment (HAD) to guide the plan.Ms Kaye stated tenders for the appointment of consultants are due back to the council …

THE marketing and promotion of tourism trips to 16 islands on the Shannon Estuary has been proposed as a job creation initiative by the new Kilrush Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Oliver Garry.