Tag Archives: clare champion

Split decision by Council denies Braids development permission to increase size THE developers of a primary health care facility in Ennis have been refused planning permission to increase its size. Concerns the proposal would “endanger public safety” and “seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity”, have lead to a split decision by Clare County Council. The local authority approved some aspects and refused others in the planning application made by Philip Doyle, on behalf of Valley Healthcare Fund Infrastructure Investment Fund ICAV, to revise and amend planning permission already granted for a mixed use development at the former Braids factory site on Station Road. The new proposals were the subject of a number of objections from local residents voicing concern about the size of the development among other issues. The application had sought to increase the floor area of the four-storey primary care health facility and ancillary commercial units from 7,250sqm to 8,008sqm with the provision of an …

THE RNLI helped five people in difficulty in two back-to-back calls on Lough Derg this week. The first incident saw Valentia Coast Guard request Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist a person on a 30ft cruiser reported aground close to Mountshannon Harbour at the south-west of Lough Derg. At 11.40am the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Owen Cavanagh, Joe O’Donoghue and Chris Parker on board. Shortly afterwards the lifeboat was in sight of the casualty vessel which was aground on a sandbar in the bay east of Mountshannon Harbour. The lifeboat took frequent soundings on a cautious approach to the casualty vessel, located in an area known for its sudden shallows. At 12.11pm the lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel and the skipper was found to be safe and unharmed and wearing his lifejacket. An RNLI volunteer was transferred across to the cruiser. Given the location of the boat close to a navigation channel …

GLÓR is continuing to put its best foot forward since reopening, with plans in place for some ‘air’ raising events in the near future. Fidget Feet Aerial Dance, in partnership with Clare Arts Office, are bringing the In the Open arts programme to Ennis with a series of outdoor events planned over the coming months. The first event will be Fidget Feet’s brand new outdoor show,  A Handful of Dreams, currently touring nationwide, which is coming to glór’s car park from August 20 to 22. The free ticketed family event will be accompanied by a complimentary performance of traditional Irish music and dance, featuring local musicians and set dancers. “A Handful of Dreams is an awe-inspiring and heart-warming outdoor show that combines aerial and circus arts with live Irish traditional music and dance. Infusing a specially designed outdoor rig with an ancient magic, this beautiful celebration will connect to the hearts of each audience member while restoring the joy of …

A KILLALOE woman has taken on an incredible challenge of completing a 250km triathlon within 24 hours in aid of two charities. On August 28, 27-year-old Jade Hoynes will be embark on the gruelling test which will consist of a 4km swim of Lough Derg, a 200km cycle, finally finishing off with a 46km run. The demanding undertaking is to raise funds and awareness for two charities that are incredibly important to both Jade and her family, Samaritans Ireland and Sejare Adult Respite House, Limerick. Jade, who works within her family business Palm Free Irish Soap had previously taken part in RTÉ’s Iron Mind series with Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin. The series enlisted the help of experts in everything from psychology to nutrition as four ordinary people with their own mental health challenges took on the task of competing in a half-Ironman event. It was this event that encouraged her to take on this newest triathlon challenge. Jade recalls her first …

CLARE Youth Service launched QQI Level 4 Creative Media Technology Awards this week during their virtual annual Awards Ceremony. Leaving Certificate Applied Learners were also awarded on the successful completion of the programme. After almost two years of blended learning and a challenging learning environment for all young people, 20 new graduates celebrated their achievements and resilience which were recognised at the virtual awards ceremony. This has been a unique journey as each of the graduates were compelled to spend many hours on screens in their homes due to the pandemic. However, they persevered to complete their programme, and this perseverance was lauded by Edel McDonough, Manager of the Community Training Centre who thanked all staff and learners for their hard work and creativity throughout the past two years, “This certification both in Creative Media Technology and Leaving Cert Applied opens up exciting pathways into the future for each young person and this celebration marks the end of a journey …

TRAFFIC counts are to be carried out on the Ballybeg Road and details forwarded to the gardaí, the local authority have confirmed, amidst concerns about speeding cars described as “absolutely flying” in the area. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, sought an update on actions being taken by the council to address the “ongoing speeding” on the Ballybeg Road. The motion was seconded by Councillor Pat Murphy, who commented “there is an issue with speed there.” Councillor Pat Daly also voiced his support saying, “ Ballybeg is a very popular walking area for older people. There is no doubt there is speeding, I regularly see cars absolutely flying it on the road.” Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, responding to the motion stated, “The Ennis Municipal District will carry out further traffic counts on the Ballybeg Road and details will be forwarded to An Garda Siochana. The Section 38 traffic calming public consultation process …

TWO Clare women have described the failure to set a date ahead of the Dáil summer recess for a Citizens’ Assembly on the biodiversity crisis as “hugely disappointing”. As the Dáil rose, Emma Karran from Doonbeg and Emanuela Ferrari from Ennis were among those supporting the Climate Case Ireland (CCI) group in writing to the Taoiseach to outline their frustration. Last month CCI and more than 20 other civil society organisations wrote to the government calling on it to treat the biodiversity crisis like a real emergency and announce the date for the long-promised Citizens’ Assembly before the beginning of the summer recess. “The Citizens’ Assembly on the Biodiversity Crisis was promised over two years ago,” Emma and Emanuela said, “yet the government still has not set a date for it to convene. The Dáil declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency on May 9, 2019, so the pandemic can’t even be used as an excuse. Declaring an emergency and then …

A DIGITAL hub, cafe and 46 residential units are planned as part of a proposed transformation of an historic area of Ennis, which the developers say will offer “an opportunity to bring a new vibrancy to this community”. Eko Integrated Services Ltd have lodged an application for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. The former Buttermarket building, a protected structure dating from 1862 is located on the opposite side of Simm’s Lane, and according to the developer’s the name ‘Buttermarket Development’ has been chosen “in recognition of the area’s heritage and connection to the former Buttermarket”. In more recent times a flats complex was located on the site which has been demolished. The site is currently unused with four vacant terraced cottages to the north on Buttermarket Street, which the developers are seeking to demolish as part of the plans. If given the green …