West Clare

KILKEE Community College hosted a conference of teachers from three European schools, Vlaardingen, Holland; Saarbrucken, Germany and Nantes, France as part of the Comenius Teachers’ Exchange Programme. Nine visiting teachers spent four days in Kilkee and they included two French teachers, three Dutch teachers and four German teachers. The exchange programme focused on the teaching of languages and a review of a selected aspect of life in the host school, Critical Friends Review. The European teachers spent time in some language classes and also had a formal meeting with parents, students and teachers in the school. Mrs Theresa O’Donnellan, principal Kilkee Community College, greatly appreciates the co-operation of students, parents and staff that contributed to the success of the conference. Niall Williams, author and teacher of English at Kilkee Community College, conducted a workshop with the language group in the school. The French teachers availed of the fine weather on the Tuesday to spend time on the Cliff Road and …

CAPPA playground in Kilrush had to be closed for a few days from last Friday due to safety concerns.At last Thursday night’s meeting of the town council, Councillor Paul Moroney produced pictures showing the playground in a state of some disrepair and he was critical of how expenditure on the playground had been used. Councillor Moroney put forward a motion requesting a breakdown on how much was spent on upgrade works at the playground. In the report from clerk, John Corry, it showed that a total of €45,124.96 had been spent, with the largest payment of €19,550 going to Cavanagh Playground Equipment.Councillor Moroney said he was “staggered” that so much had been spent on playground equipment, as the pictures he presented showed a number of serious faults.He said that the state of the playground was “absolutely disgraceful” and he asked if there had been any proper monitoring of the work. “Did anyone go out and view it after it was …

THE already competitive Kilrush retail market welcomed another multi-national retailer last Thursday morning when the new Aldi supermarket in the town opened for business.The German discount supermarket will be managed by Knockerra man Ger Power, who is the son of Tommy and Tess Power. The new supermarket will create 15 jobs in the town.The supermarket is located on the Ennis Road in Kilrush and is the second major retailer to open in West Clare inside 18 months. Tesco Kilrush opened in February 2008 and is also located on the Ennis Road.Queally’s SuperValu supermarket is located on the opposite side of Kilrush in lower Frances Street.Kilrush Chamber of Commerce president, Mark Reidy told The Clare Champion that the arrival of another supermarket in the town will benefit the area.“We welcome all business to Kilrush and we’re delighted that it is creating employment in the town,” he commented.At present, Kilrush town centre businesses are at somewhat of a disadvantage, as customers have …

THE West Clare Mini Marathon Cancer Centre in Kilkee will be opened on Sunday, November 15 at 6pm. The official opening will be performed by Kilkee parish priest, Fr Gerry Kenny, along with Fr Michael Casey and Fr Pat Culligan.

THE Sydney-based parents of three-year-old Bella O’Brien, whose father Noel is from Cooraclare, have expressed both amazement and gratitude for the help and support afforded to them by the people of Cooraclare and the greater West Clare area during the time that Bella was treated for leukaemia.

Bishop of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh has announced the re-organisation of the nine parishes included in the West Clare cluster of parishes. Four parish priests will now be responsible for two parishes each.

Kilrush-based solicitor Joe Considine believes West Clare farmers and landowners might not be aware of the value of their land, which renewable energy companies may be seeking to rent or buy off them.

THE October meeting of Kilrush Town Council, which was held last Thursday, heard that there are 112 applicants for social housing on Kilrush Town Council’s housing list. Six families have been allocated tenancies so far in 2009 and three transfers have taken place to facilitate growing families.