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Tag Archives: clare county council

Poulnasherry Bay subject of educational initiative

Five West Clare schools and volunteers from Kilrush Tidy Towns are participating in an environmental education initiative focusing on the aquatic and biodiversity resources of Poulnasherry Bay and its neighbouring Wood river catchment Poulnasherry Bay, a designated shellfish water on the Shannon Estuary, is located close to Querrin, Lisdeen and Moyasta. Utilising the award-winning ‘StreamScapes’ programme, Clare County Council and the Cork-based Coomhola Salmon Trust will host a series of field studies and theory sessions, backed up by a dedicated local environmental booklet that will be widely and freely distributed throughout the community. Kilrush Tidy Towns members and students from the five participating schools, namely Moyasta NS, Querrin NS, Gaelscoil Uí Choimín, St. Senan’s NS and Kilrush Community College, will be engaged in catchment studies and project work. “In hosting this programme, Clare County Council is giving people in the vicinity of Poulnasherry Bay and Kilrush the opportunity to learn about the important links between high status local water quality …

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Ennis Market officially opened

Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton cut the tape today to officially open the new €1.75 million covered building for market traders in Ennis town centre. Councillor Norton completed the formalities in the presence of Clare County Council, CEO, Past Dowling; Mayor of Clare, Councillor Bill Chambers; President of Ennis Chamberof Commerce, Jean McCabe and street trader, Gobnait Kelly. The ceremony marked the completion of phase one of the redevelopment of the market at Garraunakilla, the site of the Farmers’ Market. Councillor Ann Norton said, “This very significant investment by Clare County Council in the heart of Ennis will enhance the market to standards expected in the modern age. It will provide traders with a quality and convenient location to promote their locally-sourced and produced goods. We will continue to enhance the facility over the coming months so that its use can be maximised for the town.” “In developing this project, Clare County Council, supported by the elected members, local …

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Council spent more that €500,000 on the Fleadh

CLARE County Council spent more than half a million euro on the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis, it has been confirmed. The local authority spent €560,000 on the Fleadh, in addition to the council’s direct financial contribution of €75,000 to the event. The estimated spend by Comhaltas on the Fleadh was in excess of €1.1 million. According to Ger Dollard, interim chief executive of Clare County Council, the local authority’s contribution was used to pay for promotional activities, improvements to infrastructure and enhancements to the town. Outlining a report on the aftermath of the festival to members of the Ennis Municipal District this week, Mr Dollard stated that the benefit to the county from the Fleadh was “overwhelmingly positive”. He said, “The overall perspective is that Ennis was presented very well and performed very well.” A number of debriefs are currently underway among the various agencies involved with the Fleadh. However, Mr Dollard said that, overall, it …

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New council CEO sets 4,000 jobs target

CREATING the environment to deliver an additional 4,000 jobs in Clare over the next five years is one of the ambitious targets set by the Clare County Council chief, Pat Dowling. Next Monday, Mr Dowling officially starts his seven-year term, with the possibility of a three-year extension, as the council’s new chief executive officer. In an exclusive interview with The Clare Champion, Mr Dowling has outlined a number of key economic objectives, which will help to transform the county, if they are successfully implemented during his term of office. Asked if he feels the target of 4,000 is achievable, Mr Dowling said that, while it is ambitious, “If you don’t go for it, you don’t get there.” He added, “Tipperary thought that Kilkenny were favourites to win the All-Ireland title but they annihilated them. Clare has to do the same. Clare has to show it can punch above its weight in the region. Instead of saying Clare is not getting …

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Council replaces bridge destroyed by storm

Work to replace a West Clare bridge destroyed during flooding late last year has been completed. Located close to Doolough Water Treatment Plant at Cloonlaheen, Creevagh Bridge is located along the L62642-01 over the Annageeragh River. The original structure was demolished by floodwaters in December 2015. Five households were affected by the subsequent road closure. Before construction work commenced in early summer 2016, the Road Design Office of Clare County Council carried out a topographical survey and site investigation. An Appropriate Assessment screening was also undertaken to determine the potential for significant impacts of the work on the natural environment, while the Road Design Office obtained the necessary licences from Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW). In recent months, new culverts and wingwalls were installed and new blockwork and dry stone boundary walls were reconstructed to match the destroyed bridge. The existing local road has been realigned and reconstructed over a length of 40 metres. The …

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Cliffs of Moher’ visitors rise

For the third year in a row, numbers at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience have passed the one million mark within a calendar year. The award-winning attraction reached the figure on August 22, three weeks ahead of the date the milestone was reached in 2015 and seven weeks earlier than the same point in 2014. It is now on track to exceed its record visitor total of 1,251,574 people in 2015. The Clare County Council owned attraction has undergone substantial investment in product and facilities in recent years, while its position as a signature point along the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way has contributed to its growing popularity. “These significant visitor numbers are fantastic for the local tourism sector and the wider West of Ireland economy,” said centre director, Katherine Webster.

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Kilkee population halved in 10 years

PRELIMINARY census figures, which have been issued in recent weeks, have revealed that the permanent population of Kilkee has fallen by exactly 500 people since 2006. Ten years ago, the population was 1,414, while the 2016 census figures indicate that the current population stands at 914. That is a fall of 123 people since the last census in 2011. In the late 1950s, Kilkee was the third largest town in Clare but it is now the 16th largest. Ironically, the town is currently experiencing its busiest time of the year but on census night, 1,115 houses were unoccupied, which is 72% of the total housing numbers. Loop Head Tourism chairman and Kilkee businessman Cillian Murphy said Clare County Council has not supported its own development plan, which had sought a population of 1,800 in Kilkee come 2017. “I’m in shock. This is a result of 20 years of poor planning. There is lots of holiday accommodation but no commitment to …

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Status yellow weather warning

MET Éireann has issued a nationwide status yellow weather warning, while Clare County Council is advising the public to exercise caution if visiting exposed coastal areas over the weekend due to high spring tides, aggressive sea conditions and strong winds. High spring tides are expected each morning and evening over the next few days. MET Éireann has forecast blustery showers this afternoon with a few bright intervals. Some of the showers will possibly be heavy at times. Winds will be fresh to strong and gusty south to southeast in direction but very strong along the south and southwest coast. Temperatures will reach highs of 18 or 20 degrees Celsius. Tonight there will be further outbreaks of showery rain, with a risk of some heavy bursts and some spot flooding. Lowest temperatures will be around 14 degrees Celsius. Winds will become strong to very strong and gusty southwesterly overnight but reaching gale force along the south coast.

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