The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
AN iconic 4ft high rock, which has been used as a diving platform by generations of swimmers in Cappa, Kilrush has disappeared. The fate of The Rock, as it is known, was discussed at a recent meeting of Kilrush Town Council.
Councillor Liam O’Looney requested his council colleagues support for his motion, asking Clare County Council “to replace the rock at the bathing area in Aylevarroo, known as ‘The Rock’, before the coming summer season”.
In advance of the meeting, Councillor O’Looney told The Clare Champion he is not sure how the rock went missing.
“It could have been a really big burst of a wave that unsettled it and washed it away. We don’t know where it is, although it’s probably not gone too far,” the Kilrush publican speculated.
“Originally, there was another rock there, going back a long time. That was washed away but the council, 30 or 40 years ago I’m led to believe, put a bit of concrete (The Rock) together to replace it. I’m hoping that Clare County Council might do the same thing again. It’s synonymous as a bathing area and a lot of locals would like to see The Rock being replaced,” he maintained.
Councillor O’Looney feels something is missing in the picturesque swimming spot, which has scenic views of Scattery Island in the Shannon Estuary.
“It’s still going to be a bathing area but it’s now The Rock without The Rock. People have asked can we get it replaced? I’m hoping that Clare County Council might do a bit of work on it. It wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s more to do with local feelings than anything else.
“I don’t know exactly when it went but I’d say it’s gone since last autumn. I would say it was erosion that brought it, although it didn’t look to be very insecure the last time I saw it. A few people have asked me about it,” Councillor O’Looney said.
“I bring my kids there every summer. My young fella is seven and he was diving in off the rock the whole time. It didn’t look insecure to me but I’d say it could be the severe weather we have been getting,” he said.
