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Tag Archives: clare county council

Giant luminarium to light up the Fleadh

The Mirazozo luminarium, a giant art installation featuring caverns for members of the public to explore, will be a colorful focal point on the Ennis landscape during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The structure, designed by Alan Parkinson of the company Architects of Air, is being brought to Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park by Clare County Council. The structures designed by Alan having been visited by more than two million people in 43 countries around the world at iconic locations such as the Guggenheim in Spain and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Inspired by Islamic architecture and natural geometry, Mirazozo features winding passages of small domes inspired by repeat forms found in the bazaars of Iran. Inside the spaceship-shaped structure is a multi-coloured world of bright luminous green, red and blue stripes of light forming bouncing patterns of colour on the walls of five interlinked domes. Monica Meehan, Community and Tourism, Clare County Council said the 158 ft. by 94 …

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Visitor numbers up in Loop Head lighthouse

Visitor figures at Loop Head Lighthouse are up almost 5% in 2016. Clare County Council, which manages the facility in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), says 7,129 people visited the West Clare landmark between April and June compared to 6,806 people during the same period in 2015. June was the busiest month at the Lighthouse with 3,202 visitors recorded during the period. The total visitor numbers at Loop Head Lighthouse from March 18 last to July 15 was 9,440. Approximately 22% or 2,072 of these visitors were children. The nationalities of visitors to Loop Head Lighthouse during the same period were Irish (39%), German (27%), American/Canadian (10%), British (6%), Italy (2%) and other (16%). Loop Head Lighthouse is a landmark location on the Loop Head Heritage Trail which was named winner of the ‘Culture and Heritage’ category of the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards. It is also one of 12 lighthouses which make up Great Lighthouses of …

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Council attends celebrations at French Embassy

Clare County Council was represented by Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Paul Murphy at the French Embassy in Ireland’s Bastille Day celebration in Dublin. The celebrations complemented the 1916 commemoration with re-enactments depicting various episodes in Ireland’s long and shared history with France including Hoche and Tone’s Bantry Bay expedition of 1796, French General Humberts expedition to County Mayo in 1798, the 1916 Rising and Ireland’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme during Wold War 1. The celebrations had concluded before word of the Nice tragedy became known on Thursday night. Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence in memory of the victims of the attack. Members of the public are being invited to sign the Book during opening hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at the corporate headquarters of Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis. The book is available until Friday after which it will be delivered to the French Embassy in Dublin.

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Call for moratorium on evictions

THE plight of those evicted from their homes was highlighted at this week’s meeting of Clare County Council, with one councillor voicing fears that someone could take the law into their own hands. Calls were made for the Government to introduce a moratorium on evictions until the social housing crisis has been resolved. Councillor PJ Ryan commented, “One of these days I can see somebody taking the law into their own hands if the situation is not rectified. The banks are 95% the cause of the problem and they need to take a reality check.” Councillor Mike McKee raised the issue with the local authority where he outlined increases in the numbers of people evicted across the country, those in mortgage arrears and families being made homeless. “Hard-working families are being dragged through the courts by the banks, the very same banks that were bailed out,” he stated. “There is a crisis in social housing at the moment and until …

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Book of Condolence for victims of Nice attack

Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis in memory of the victims of last night’s attack in Nice, France. Councillor Bill Chambers, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council said, “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the friends and families of the victims of this attack.” “I wish the people of France strength as they seek to overcome yet another senseless attack but I am confident that the abiding principals of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité will never be diminished by those who oppose them,” he said. Ennis is twinned with the southern French town of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, which is located west of Nice on the Mediterranean coast. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton said, “On behalf of my colleagues in the Municipal District of Ennis, I wish to extend our sympathy and support to the people of Saint-Paul de Fenouillet …

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No to Clarecastle motorway plaza

AN Bord Pleanála has rejected plans for a Barack Obama-style motorway plaza just outside Clarecastle. Earlier this year, Supermac’s Owner Pat McDonagh was granted planning permission by Clare County Council for a rest stop and drive thru on the Limerick – Gort motorway but the decision has been overturned on appeal.Supermac’s has a very successful plaza at Moneygall in County Offaly and another near the M6 at Loughrea. The planning permission in respect of the Clarecastle project was appealed by service stop rival, Applegreen, which has its own plans for a service area, 8km south of the Supermacs site. Later, however, Applegreen and Claureen Service Station withdrew their appeals and local man, Shane Brigdale was the only remaining opposition. The rejection of the plan represents a blow to the prospects of up to 100 jobs during the operation phase and up to 80 jobs during the construction phase. The appeal board refused planning on three grounds, including that it would …

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Council seeking housing schemes and sites

Clare County Council is inviting tenders for the supply of completed housing schemes that are fit for purpose for social housing in  towns and villages where a housing need exists. The local authority is also seeking tenders for land banks and development sites. The council says the move is aimed at increasing the number of accommodation units being brought into use across County Clare, as part of the implementation in Clare of the National Social Housing Strategy. Leonard Cleary, acting director of service, housing, said, “Clare County Council has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of appropriate social housing within its functional area. Each year Clare County Council is involved in the lease, purchase, construction and financing of social housing and is seeking to increase the number of accommodation units being brought into use by various means available under the Social Housing Strategy 2020.” “It is intended that part of the housing need in County Clare will be addressed by …

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Pay and display at Doolin Pier

THREE pay and display parking meters have been installed at Doolin Pier car park. This is in accordance with the Doolin Pier (Parking Places) Bylaws 2016, which came into effect in early June, following their adoption by members of the West Clare Municipal District.The new bylaws have been introduced to regulate parking at one of the primary access points between the mainland and the Aran Islands. Clare County Council says income from the newly introduced parking metres will be used for the implementation of the proposed shoreline facilities at Doolin Pier, including a new visitor facility. Parking for vehicles at Doolin Pier car park will be free for vehicles with the capacity to carry more than 7 passengers. One of the newly installed pay and display machines accept all major credit cards, as well as Debit and Laser cards, as well as coins. The proposed visitor facility at Doolin Pier will replace existing temporary structures and will be part of a …

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