West Clare

THE creative talents of two pupils from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Spanish Point have put them and their school in the running for national honours.

Much of West Clare, including the towns of Kilkee and Cross, had no water supply for several days during the Christmas period. The cut-off of the water supply occurred when pipes burst on Blackweir Bridge, which is located between Moyasta and Kilkee, near Poulnashsherry Bay.“As far as can be ascertained at present, this burst was not directly related to the weather conditions,” Clare County Council explained. The council added that the local authority is hopeful that reservoir levels in West Clare will be fully restored soon. “The burst mains was replaced by a smaller-sized pipe, which restored supply slowly to the peninsula. We are looking at options to increase the capacity of the new pipe so as to ensure quicker recovery of reservoir levels in the peninsula. We have also brought the Lislanaghan (Kilkee) water treatment plant, which is usually used as a back-up for increased demand in the summer, back into operation to supply Kilkee town,” the statement said. …

Shannon Development, who are responsible for the operation of the seasonal tourist office in Kilkee, will make a decision by the end of the month with regard to relocating the branch.If the office is moved, it may operate from Kilkee library or from an existing business in the town. The office opens during the summer months and provides visitors with tourist information to Kilkee and the peninsula area from May until September. A meeting on the issue will be held in Kilkee on Thursday, which will be attended by John Quinlivan, Shannon Development, Fine Gael TD Pat Breen and Mayor of Kilkee, Lily Marrinan Sullivan. “I understand Shannon Development are looking at the library as one possible alternative location for the tourism office,” Deputy Breen told The Clare Champion. “Obviously if you put it into an existing business the cost won’t be as high and also you could have longer opening hours. Shannon Development have said that they have problems …

KILRUSH Chamber president Mark Reidy would not comment this week on reports that a number of small businesses in

ReviewIT was an interesting year in local politics, with the obliteration of Fianna Fáil in the Shannon Town Council election a big talking point.

Review ON the morning of June 5, 2009, Kilrush was represented in the Clare County Council chamber by Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Prendeville.

STUDENTS at St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil have again collected a huge amount of food and toys in aid of the annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. Ruth Morrissey, a teacher of Irish and English at the school organised the collection. Everything collected will be distributed in the greater West Clare area.“The message we want to relay to the students is that we, by our contributions, can make a real difference in these people’s lives,” Ruth said. “This year, more than ever, contributions are needed, in light of the recession and the recent flooding. The food and toys collected in the school will be given to the local branch of St Vincent de Paul which is in Kilrush. It will then be distributed locally in the West Clare area. Each year, I am overwhelmed at the students’ generosity and spirit to help those less fortunate. They have an innate sense of compassion and a desire to help others, …

THE Kilkee Town Council budget, which was adopted at the December monthly meeting, will result in a reduction of €3,164.96 on 2010 expenditure when compared to 2009 figures. However, rates have not been increased.The total estimated expenditure for 2010 amounts to €79,133.76.  The estimated income, excluding town charges, is €6,518.4. The balance of €72,615.36 is to be recouped by way of town charges. However, there will be no increase in the town rate, which remains at 4.61% as in 2009. The figure demanded from Clare County Council shows a decrease of €3,614.96 from that sought in 2009. A 15% reduction has been applied where possible to all non-pay-related expenditure other than statutory or fixed expenditure, which cannot be reduced.Meanwhile, the Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances has informed Kilkee Town Council that the cost of insurance premiums will decrease by 10% on that paid in 2009. A sum of €44,400 will be spent on salaries and wages, which shows a reduction …