GARDAÍ in Clare are urging people to stay cautious on their staycation. With holiday makers looking forward to a summer break at home, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have launched a campaign urging road users to ensure that they stay safe on the road. “We want people to enjoy their summer holidays. If you are planning a staycation, please ensure you plan your journey in advance, take frequent breaks and do not allow any distractions while driving. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their safety belt and make sure all children are in a suitable safety seat,” says Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. “Be mindful of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and motor cyclists. Park safely and legally when visiting beaches, beauty spots as well as other public amenities. Parking illegally can lead to unnecessary risk and dangers such as forcing pedestrians to walk on busy roads. It is important …
Read More »Heritage group revives legend of Newhall Lake Mermaid
THE Ennistymon Púca may have been hitting the headlines all over the world, but Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage & Wildlife Group believes it has fished out a magical tale to rival that. The local group has been compiling information about the once famous Mermaid of Newhall Lake, with the aim of bringing the mystical figure back into the public consciousness. As part of this members have gathered stories from various sources over centuries about the mermaid and made them available on the group’s website. There has also been a watercolour painting of the mermaid completed, and local composer Seán Lyons has recorded a song inspired by the legend. Eric Shaw of Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage & Wildlife Group said, “Reading through the Clare section of the 1937 Schools’ Project now held in Dúchas, there are 92 stories of mermaids and 26 of these relate to our Mermaid of Newhall. “In the 1930s, most school children in Clare knew of the …
Read More »Podium finish for Ennis man after 31 hours in saddle
AN Ennis man has completed a mammoth ultra-cycling race of 804km, taking second place after a gruelling 31 hours non-stop in the saddle. Noel Cusack took part in the Joe Barr 500, an 800km race around Donegal and Northern Ireland with a three-person crew following behind to give him food and hep with navigation along the way. He described the race as an “epic battle”, which saw him break his previous 800km record by more than six hours. The race started in Derry at 9.23am on Saturday, June 12, with each competitor leaving at three minute intervals. “We raced over to Donegal before tackling all the coast line and mountains areas before finally sprinting through Sperrin mountains in Derry to finish,” Noel told The Champion. “The riders cannot race together, we have to be a certain distance apart from each other until you make your move to overtake or pull away if possible,” he said. His support crew kept him …
Read More »Pharmacies give vaccine rollout a shot in the arm
PHARMACIES in Clare have been helping to give a shot in the arm to the national vaccine roll out effort. A number of pharmacies throughout the county have recently started administering the Covid-19 vaccines as part of the national programme. A total of 17 pharmacies spanning across the entire county from Kilkee to Corbally have begun offering the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, also known as Janssen. Among them is Rochford’s Pharmacies with branches in Ennis and Corofin. Pharmacist Brendan Rochford said there has already been a lot of interest from the public in getting the jab. He says that the vaccination service was quick to take off at the pharmacy. “We already had a list of people who booked their appointment before we even received the vaccines last Thursday evening, so we started our first administrations as soon as possible on Friday morning.” He added, “We are delighted to be able to play our small part in the rollout …
Read More »St Clare’s to open two more classes
SAINT Clare’s school in Ennis has been given the go-ahead to open two additional classes in September 2021 and again in 2022. Principal John Murphy has said this is “wonderful news” for the school. “The ongoing engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Department of Education has been very positive and confirms that St Clare’s school remains a first choice of parents for children with additional needs,” he said. St Clare’s school has grown and developed significantly in the last two years increasing the roll from 54 two years ago to 83 in September 2021 and is projected to hit 100 learners in 2022. Mr Murphy said that this “is a great tribute to the staff at school who are touching the future everyday and dealing with young people’s dreams”. “This welcome news arrived at the same time as the award of the school’s Amber Flag, Active Flag and a forth Green Flag rounding off a …
Read More »Green light for Ennis traffic calming works
THE green light has been given for traffic calming measures to be introduced in Ennis at a location where cars are travelling at speeds “way past any acceptable level”. A special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard details of the proposed works at Cappahard on the Tulla Road and a local route known as The Lane. The project involves the construction of a new footpath from Cappahard Lane to where it meets the Tulla Road. Works will include the installation of kerbing and tarmac footpath, dished kerbing, tactile paving, signage, road gullies and the installation of drainage pipes. The plans also include road markings, and additional ducts for eight lighting lamp standards. The project went out to public consultation and four submissions were received. Among the submissions there were calls for signage to denote ‘Children at Play’ with one stating, “There are some cars which travel at speed which would be way past any acceptable level.” Councillor Johnny Flynn …
Read More »Keep our coasts clean urge Clare communities
A VIDEO project made in conjunction with community groups Clare has been premiered by Clean Coasts to raise awareness about the issue of marine litter. Both local people and visitors are being asked to enjoy this part of the coast but also to take personal responsibility for the waste that comes from outdoor activities. As the Covid restriction eased in early May, more people started visiting the magnificent coastal area in Clare. A number of Clean Coasts community groups reached out to Clean Coasts, expressing significant concerns relating to the environmental impact of tourists in the upcoming season. The absence of foreign travel, huge growth in take-out food and outdoor socialising had already begun to increase coastal litter. Coastal communities were nervous about what would happen when the season really begins. One group, suggested creating a video about Lahinch to raise awareness about this issue. Clean Coasts Development Officer Ray Ó Foghlu worked with Spanish Point Community Group to source …
Read More »Expressway late Galway-Limerick service to be reinstated confirm Bus Éireann
BUS Éireann has confirmed that from this Friday, June 25 the last daily departure from Galway to Limerick on Expressway Route 51 will be at 7.05pm. This service had been temporarily suspended from May 15. “As demand increases with the reopening of society, and with greater opportunities to work and socialise, we know this late service from Galway is important particularly to people in south Galway and Clare. We have worked with the National Transport Authority and are glad to reinstate this trip as the safe reopening of society continues,” said Brian Connolly, Western Region Operations Manager, Bus Éireann. “It was always the case that these necessary temporary suspensions would be reviewed subject to demand.” Currently and as a result of the severe impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers, Bus Éireann operates Expressway routes under contract to the National Transport Authority. Route 51 operates from Galway to Limerick and on to Cork. There are 23 trips a day between Galway …
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