Tag Archives: Bridgetown

A former first citizen has criticised the government decision to establish Uisce Éireann due to the lack of information for householders in two neighbouring communities in South-East Clare who are subject to a boil notice. Almost 1,000 consumers in O’Brien’s Bridge and Bridgetown are affected by a boil notice, which was issued on August 25. Last Friday, almost 1,800 residents in Killaloe, which is in the same parish as O’Brien’s Bridge for GAA purposes, were hit by a similar notice. Councillor Tony O’Brien (FF) has claimed public representatives and consumers received a better service when Clare County Council was managing the public water supply, before this function was taken over by Irish Water, now Uisce Éireann. In an email to Uisce Éireann on Tuesday, Councillor O’Brien stated he was inundated with queries regarding the boil notices issued to consumers in the O’Brien’s Bridge and Killaloe public water supply. “In the case of the O Brien’s Bridge supply the boil notice …

CLOSER links between the villages of Bridgetown and O’Brien’s Bridge could be on the horizon, after a well-received motion from Councillor Tony O’Brien. The Fianna Fáil member, who is also Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, has proposed the installation of a footpath, incorporating a cycle lane, from the village of Bridgetown to O’Brien’s Bridge and Upper Ardnataggle on the R463. “This necessary piece of infrastructure would enable the community to access their local amenities such as the church, school, public houses and community playing pitch,” a motion before the Killaloe Municipal District outlined. “In the case of the primary school alone, it would cut down on a huge amount of private cars using the area on a daily basis as students cannot walk or cycle to school because of road safety concerns.” The Killaloe man told the end-of-year district meeting that the area in question is “very large and highly populated”. “This is very necessary infrastructure,” he said. “The area …

PRIZE money totalling €20,000 is up for grabs for competitors in the South-East Clare Show in Bridgetown on Sunday, July 24. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the show will attract thousands of people for more than 2,500 equestrian, cattle and horticultural entries, feature classes, a pet farm spectacle, children amusements and face-painting. This year, there will be a new focus on farm safety for children using some toy-size farm machinery to demonstrate what can be done to stay safe. A focus is towards providing Farm Safety for children, using some toy-size farm machinery to demonstrate. The announcement of Show 2022 details has kicked off with the sale of raffle tickets for an amazing prize – a Purebred Charolais Weanling Heifer. This animal was kindly sponsored by Limkiln Pedigree Herd. Tickets have been selling fast, allowing people the opportunity to support this annual event together with being in with a chance to win an amazing prize. The South-East Clare Show have again …

MOTOR and tractor enthusiasts are revving up for the return of the Tony Horan Memorial Tractor Run in Bridgetown on Sunday, October 24. This eagerly-awaited social event, which is run in memory of popular Bridgetown publican Tony Horan, is expected to attract up to 100 trucks, tractors, motor bikes and vintage cars. Starting at 1am, the tractor run goes from Bridgetown to Broadford, onto Ardnacrusha and Bridgetown for the pig on a spit at 4.30pm. It has been organised by Rosemarie Stuart, who now runs Tony’s Bar, Bridgetown. “It is a great day in the village, and everyone is looking forward to it. In view of Covid-19, everyone needs a lift,” she said. An auction and raffle will be held in the pub after the tractor run. A mini tractor run takes place for children in the back yard early in the morning. Families can look forward to availing of a face painter for children, pig on a spit and …

PRE-PLANNING consultation has begun in South East Clare as a German renewable energy company prepares to lodge an application for an eight-turbine windfarm, early next year. RWE Renewables Ireland Limited (RWE), which describes itself as one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, launched an eight-week pre-planning consultation exercise at the start of this month. It says that feedback received from residents and stakeholders – whom it aims to meet virtually while Level 5 restrictions continue – will inform the design of the windfarm, proposed for a 320-hectare site 6km south west of Killaloe and 1.5km north of Bridgetown. As a mandatory element of windfarm projects, RWE will administer a community fund in the event of securing planning permission from Clare County Council, a figure which could range from €168,000 to €288,000 per annum for 15 years. A brochure on the project also outlines the potential for community shared ownership. It details the creation of up to 70 jobs during …

A BRIDGETOWN technology and engineering teacher put his skills to good use during the Covid-19 lockdown by making and distributing protective about 2,400 visors for frontline staff in health care facilities and hospitals. Tom English teaches in St Clements school in Limerick. Using a 3D printer from his home, he supplied vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge when it was in extremely short supply. The visor includes a strong plastic band with a shield that drops down to protect a person’s face. The main benefit of a visor is to prevent fluid transmission between people. “I had the machinery in school and before the schools closed down and took home three of my own 3D printers. “In the first week of April, I test printed five or six different designs to see what would be suitable. There were loads of different designs available on line. “It was more a case of curiosity more than anything else. By the …

By Fiona McGarry A SOUTH-East Clare woman, living in Northern Italy, has pleaded with the Irish people to take Government guidelines on social distancing seriously in order to contain the spread of Covid-19. Rachel Turner, originally from Bridgetown, has been living in Milan for more than a decade and said people here should be taking every possible precaution to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus. As the death toll in Italy surpasses that of China, Rachel told The Clare Champion the mood is very low and people are desperately missing their normal lifestyles, after more than a month of severe restrictions on movement. Earlier this month, Italy put around 16 million people into lockdown. Under the measures, people are forbidden to enter or leave the region of Lombardy, where Milan is the main city. “We had a neighbour taken away in an ambulance this morning and the apartment block disinfected,” Ruth said. “The death toll is very high for Milan …

Water disruption, which caused problems for some householders in South East Clare yesterday, continues this Wednesday. Limerick County Council has advised that the water supply will be switched off  at O’Briensbridge and Bridgetown and Montpelier The disruption is expected to run from 10 am until 2pm.