Tag Archives: Ballyalla lake

THE land, water and sky at Ballyalla Lake on the outskirts of Ennis provide the inspiration for the latest solo exhibition by local artist Evelyn Sorohan. Change of Climate is the title of the body of work which is on view at glór until Thursday next, April 25. “My exhibition is mixed media and it explores the climate emergency and biodiversity loss and I aim is to challenge viewers to understand why we must take stock of what we stand to lose unless we act now. If we don’t take corrective measures right now, species that are under serious threat will disappear completely,” warned the environmental artist. While recovering from illness, swimming in the natural ecosystem of Ballyalla Lake was her go to by way of therapy. The flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, swans, birds, and geese that she saw gave her a lift and she thought deeply about their status in the ecosystem. She undertook research through the National Biodiversity Data …

MEMBERS of the public are being urged to have their say on plans aimed at enhancing a popular local beauty spot. A public consultation will be held in Barefield Community Centre this Thursday, September 8 from 5pm to 8pm to review the proposed design of works for Ballyalla Lake which are being developed by Clare County Council. According to the local authority the designs aim to “sensitively enhance this lakeside amenity, whilst also considering the wider environment of the lake”. Ballyalla Lake is located on the river Fergus north of Ennis, covering an area of 308 hectares, and it has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for bird species in addition to being a proposed Natural Heritage Area. The designs build on the  ‘Amenity Enhancement Plan for Ballyallia Lake’ which was commissioned by Barefield Tidy Towns, supported by Clare County Council …

FAMILY and friends of an Ennis-based man, who tragically lost his life at the weekend after getting into difficulty at a popular swimming spot, gathered together for an emotional funeral service on Thursday. Samir Kaul, who was originally from New Delhi in India and lived on the Kilrush Road in Ennis, died on Saturday evening while visiting Ballyalla Lake with friends. The funeral service for Mr Kaul was held on Thursday at the Foundation Ministries Pentecostal Church in Ennis, which he had been involved with for nearly a decade. In a fitting tribute to the 49-year-old who has been fondly remembered this week for his love of dance, the church held a Service of Song in his memory. A video showing images of Mr Kaul’s happy times with his friends in the church was also played to those gathered to say their goodbyes. Speaking to the Clare Champion Reverend Albert Obadeyi of Foundation Ministries described Mr Kaul as “a man …

EXTREME thunder showers last Monday evening have prompted a ban on swimming in Ballyalla Lake, because of a spike in bacteria levels. Clare County Council and the HSE have issued the temporary swimming ban, which will remain in place until levels of bacteria drop. “The situation is being monitored regularly,” a council statement said. “The probation on swimming will be removed when the bacterial levels recede to acceptable levels. The elevated bacterial levels are as result of the extreme thunder showers which took place on Monday evening last.”

Nine prestigious International Blue Flag status has been awarded to Clare beaches, including Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggeran, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Green Coast Awards were also awarded to the beaches at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan), Seafield (Quilty) and for the first time, Ballyalla Lake. An Taisce’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards were accepted on behalf of Clare County Council by Councillor Paul Murphy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, and Claire McGrath, Clare Water Safety development officer, at a ceremony held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, County Cork today (Monday) The Blue Flag is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to over 4000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The award, which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) – represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental …

Environmental Protection Agency testing over the past three years has found that bathing waters in Clare are “excellent”. The EPA report Bathing Water Quality in Ireland – A Report for the Year 2015 published this week states that 93 per cent of Irish bathing waters meet minimum EU Standards and three quarters of bathing waters continue to be of Excellent quality for the second-year running. Fresh water bathing waters at Ballyalla Lake, Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon (Lough Derg) were found to be excellent in terms of their E. coli, intestinal enterococci and overall status as were Bishopsquarter, Cappagh Pier in Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Spanish Point, White Strand Doonbeg and Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay. Traught in Kinvara was also found to be excellent for the three years between 2012 and 2015. “Despite a cool and, at times, wet and windy summer, the overall quality of Ireland’s bathing waters continues to be extremely good with the stricter standards providing a high level of …

THE National Aquathon Championship was held in Galway last weekend and two of the Ennis Triathlon Club athletes came out on top in their respective age categories. Ray Hynes took the national title in the long distance competition in the 40 to 44 age group and Pat Rutherford took the over-70s title. This event featured a 2km swim in Galway Bay, followed by a 10km run. This national success coincides with Ennis Triathlon Club’s hosting of their inaugural triathlon this Saturday at Ballyalla Lake. The event is sponsored by Pat Keogh Construction. Speaking after last week’s win, Ray Hynes said he was absolutely delighted with his Galway success and that it provided the best possible encouragement and motivation for him in his preparation for his first Ironman competition in Barcelona in October. Pat Rutherford was equally elated but admitted he was very glad to put his foot down on Grattan beach at the end of the swim. There are a …

IN one of the final acts of Ennis Town Council, funding has been arranged for an amenity scheme for the Rocky Road and water-based leisure facilities at Ballyalla, both a couple of miles on either side of the town. The council, in its last financial statement, has recommended that credits available in its current account be assigned to a number of areas, including specific funding of €22,697 for the Rocky Road and €25,765 for Ballyalla. The statement recommends that development contributions paid and due for recreation and amenity projects be assigned to recreation and amenity improvements, open space redevelopment and development at Ballyalla. The allocation of funding to the Rocky Road and Ballyalla was welcomed by all councillors. Other recommendations in the annual financial statement include that tenant purchase redemptions be assigned to improvement works on the housing stock of Ennis Town Council; that development contributions paid and due for car parks be assigned to the acquisition and improvement of …