Home » Tag Archives: clare county council

Tag Archives: clare county council

Ennis relief road could cost €10 million

MORE than €10 million is needed to complete the Ennis Northern Inner Relief Road, Clare County Council has confirmed. Clare’s Oireachtas members are now set to be invited to a special meeting of the Ennis Municipal District to hear first hand about the need for funding for projects in the county capital including the completion of a route connecting the Gort and Tulla roads. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Mary Howard (FG) described the link as a “necessary piece of infrastructure” for the development of the town and alleviating traffic issues. The councillor pointed out that, over the last number of years, the council has been planning for the future of the town including the upcoming introduction of a town bus service, cycle lanes and other projects. She requested an update on the status of the road planned through the grounds adjacent to Our Lady’s Hospital, linking the Gort Road with the Tulla Road. …

Read More »

Council grilled on €10 million load to Ennis 2040

Clare County Council has been asked for answers to a number of questions in relation to its approval in June 2021 of a €10 million loan for Ennis 2040, with the council confirming a total of €2.2m has so far been advanced to Ennis 2040 to fund the work programme underway. At the March meeting of the local authority, Councillor Tom O’Callaghan (FF) called for a discussion to be allowed in relation to the council’s approval of a loan for €10 million. The details he requested were to include the cost of the loan and it’s duration, the schedule of loan repayments by the DAC, the list of assets owned by DAC currently, as well as the purpose of loans and if the council has guaranteed all liabilities. He also questioned whether the council is financially liable in any event of unfortunate financial misadventure. Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling, said he was concerned about the public focus …

Read More »

Ennis councillor Johnny Flynn to leave politics and will not contest the local election in June.

Ennis councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) has made the surprise announcement he is to leave the political arena and will not contest the local election in June. “Coming up to an election, all politicians have to consider their position and with the election looming I had to consider it, and decided to give other candidates an opportunity.” He contacted his fellow councillors to tell them his decision over the weekend. And now he has made the announcement, many members of the public have thanked him for his service over the last after 20 years. “It is all about the constituents rather than the politicians really,” he said. Councillor Flynn has been interested in, and involved with environmental issues over his tenure at Clare County Council, and said there is “satisfaction” in leaving after the recent Clare Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029 was adopted. “I am delighted with the final plan,” he said highlighting that the work done over the last …

Read More »

Craggaunowen set for €1m makeover

The popular East Clare visitor attraction of Craggaunowen is set to undergo a significant upgrade during 2024. Clare County Council has announced a €1m investment in the popular East Clare visitor attraction, which reopens to the public for the 2024 season on St. Patrick’s Day. Centred around a 16th century castle, the 20-acre site recreates what life would have been like for the Bronze Age inhabitants of Ireland and features reconstructions of ancient Irish architecture, including a dolmen, crannógs and the original ‘Brendan Boat’ used by Tim Severin during his 1973 recreation of the transatlantic voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot. Amongst the works earmarked for completion during 2024 is the upgrade of Craggaunowen’s signature crannógs and woven hut lake dwellings, along with the bridge that connects them to the remainder of the site. A new playground themed on St. Brendan’s Voyage will be developed, while significant upgrades to the public carpark, public toilet facilities, fencing and pathways will be …

Read More »

Clare County Council to launch Climate Action Plan next week

Clare County Council is set to launch its Climate Action Plan on Wednesday, February 21, at the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis. Described as a ‘roadmap’ for the local authority’s commitment to sustainability and environmental sustainability, the plan aims to set out a “pathway towards positive change”, according to Clare County Council’s Climate Action Coordinator, Morgan Lahiffe. Mr Lahiffe will join a panel of speakers from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and ESB Networks, to discuss renewable energy, the future of the electricity grid and home energy upgrades and grants. The event will also host exhibitors, including energy consultants, solar panel experts and Ennis Credit Union. Attendees will hear about the various grants and incentives available to homeowners and businesses to make energy-efficient upgrades. “This Climate Action Plan is a pivotal roadmap for Clare County Council’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said …

Read More »

Pyrite affected homeowners struggle with grant application

NO CLARE home owner affected by the scourge of pyrite has received any Government funds under the Enhanced Defective Block Grant Scheme up until January 23 last, new figures have revealed. Sinn Féin Deputy Eoin O’Broin asked Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien for a breakdown of the number of new applications to the Enhanced Defective Block Redress Scheme; the number who have drawn down funds to date; and the number who have drawn down their full grant. The official figures show there were 49 Clare applicants to the scheme compared to 1,456 in Donegal, 357 in Mayo and 18 in Limerick. According to these statistics, no Clare homeowner affected by pyrite has submitted remedial plans, which is in sharp contrast to 127 in Donegal and 140 in Mayo. No Clare resident has commenced remedial works unlike 96 in Donegal and 132 in Mayo. Zero is also the figure for the number of Clare homeowners who have completed works or drawn down …

Read More »

Councillors warn of ‘necklace’ of windfarms

A CHAIN of windfarm developments is on the way to East Clare, with turbines up to 180 metres in height, unless An Bord Pleanála makes appropriate decisions, members of Clare County Council warned this week. At Monday’s council meeting they discussed the development of a windfarm at Oatfield, which the council executive are making a submission to An Bord Pleanála on, while the Killaloe area councillors are making a separate submission. Killaloe councillor Tony O’Brien (FF) said there could be “a proliferation of massive, industrial size wind turbines stretching from Bodyke and Ogonnelloe right down across Broadford, the 12 O’Clock Hills, Sliabh Bernagh, right down into Meelick and all areas in between.” A number of East Clare residents were at the meeting and he said the councillors fully understand their opposition to having huge turbines built close to their homes. “Your concerns are our concerns,” he said. Councillor Gerry Flynn (Ind) also said the Oatfield development is just the start. …

Read More »

Funding Programme Opens For Clare Communities

A SERIES of walk-in clinics to support communities in preparing their applications for schemes that are presently open, including the Local Area Grant Scheme 2024, are taking place across Clare this week. Community, group and club representatives will be able to discuss their projects with the local authority’s four Rural and Community Development Officers, namely Grainne McCormack (Shannon), Seamus Murrihy (West Clare), Niamh Wiley (North Clare & Ennis) and Darren Carroll (Killaloe). The events take place at: at Doonbeg Community Centre (10am-1pm) and Miltown Malbay Community Centre (2pm-5pm) on Tuesday, January 30; Clarecare, Killaloe (10am-1pm) and Killaloe Municipal District Office, Scariff (2pm-5pm) on Wednesday, January 31; and at Treacy’s Oakwood Arms, Shannon (10am-1pm), The Bridge Complex, Sixmilebridge (2pm-4pm) and Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis (4.30pm-7pm) on Thursday, February 1. Earlier this week, events were also held at Teach Ceoil Corofin and An Teach Ceoil, Ennistymon. Anne Haugh, Director of Rural and Community Development with Clare County Council commented, “Our four Rural …

Read More »