Permission sought for war memorial

AN application by Clare Peace Park Initiative for permission to erect a World War I memorial in honour of the 7,000 or so Clare men who enlisted and the estimated 700 who lost their lives, has been submitted to Clare County Council by the chairperson of the group, Dr Keir McNamara.
The proposed development is on 0.1 hectares of land at Causeway Link, across the road from Glór, and the application is for the erection of three standing stones with inscriptions. The stones will be surrounded by about 100m² of paving, with pathways in and out of the memorial site.
Parking is expected to be at the existing Glór car park. There will be minimal surface run-off and existing drainage and soakage incorporated should suffice, the application states.
In a submission to the planning officials, Clare County Council states that it has no objection to the monument being erected. A decision is due by June 8 and the group’s chairperson would welcome businesses’ support to ensure the project can get off the ground as quickly as possible.
Dr McNamara said people can donate directly to the The Clare Peace Park Initiative account, while they can also help at committee level.
He said, “If you would like to get involved or wish to get more information, feel free to make contact. We are on facebook as Clarepeaceparkinitiative. The friends of The Clare Peace Park Initiative are needed to help with and support fundraising efforts. The more people that get involved, the better the chance of making this project a reality.
“We have gone for a design that hopefully will carry great impact and symbolism but one also within a realistic budget. The committee have estimated that the memorial could be erected for as little as €25,000 and that this figure could be greatly reduced by individuals and groups donating their skills and expertise.
“There are plans for a privately-funded South-East Asia memorial in the same green area as our planned memorial to remember all those from Ireland who died in the Vietnam War. This memorial was put out to tender last year for €130,000. From what we understand, no Clare person, thankfully, died in this conflict. It would be a great pity if we miss this opportunity to give so many Clare people their rightful place in our county’s history,” Dr McNamara said.
“The Clare Peace Park would be a focal point for the existing commemoration ceremony that takes place on November 11 each year. It would help secure the memory and recognise the sacrifice that these people made. The centenary of WW1I is upon us and it would be a fitting addition to the current national climate of peace and reconciliation with Britain.
“For the town of Ennis, it could be a great addition to the built and cultural heritage of the town and form part of the Ennis Sculpture Initiative. It would be a focus for learning for history students and afford current and future generations the opportunity to remember a very important and expensive time in our county’s history.
“Hopefully, now after so many years, we can remember this part of our county’s and country’s history with a permanent memorial. For 100 years we have relied on people in other countries to maintain the graves and memorials that contain the remains and the names of Clare men and women. It is time to bring all the names together in our county in one place and include those that have not until now had any memorial,” Dr McNamara said.
Ron Kirwan