Tag Archives: clare county council

A BRAND identity for the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience was unveiled this week as the landmark projects continues to advance. At the end of next month, a further funding application will be made to progress the project beyond the design stage. The work of consultants, Design Works, was showcased at a presentation on Monday last (March 14). The brand identity focuses on the symbolism of the archways of the island’s ecclesiastical buildings and highlights the theme of transformation linked with stepping through these portals. At the briefing, chaired by Tourism Officer Joan Tarmey, Project Manager Tom MacKey, from Tobin Consulting Engineers briefly outlined some of the work to-date. Mr MacKey coordinates a team that includes Design Works, McCullough Mulvin Architects and Tandem Partners. “We’re currently focusing on on detailed design for the re-purposing of The Old Rectory building,” he said. “In general, we’re hoping to be in a position to have a contractor on site mid-summer to start working with …

  PEOPLE in Lahinch are mourning the loss of a community leader following the passing of Tomsie O’Sullivan. The long serving community activist died at his residence in Doonboy, Station Road, Lahinch, on St Patrick’s Day. After reposing in Lahinch Church on Friday, his Funeral Mass took place on Saturday morning before burial afterwards in the Old Cemetery, Ennistymon. While Tomsie was involved with numerous community organisations for decades, he is synonymous with the RNLI, who presented him with a Long Service Award for reaching 58 years with the organisation last September. The RNLI was very much a family affair as Tomsie’s children used to help him with church gate collections and flag days.   In an interview with the Clare Champion last year, Tomsie estimated the Lahinch branch used to raise between €6,000 to €8,000 annually over a 28-year period. Born in Main Street, Tomsie’s father, Thomas, who was a carpenter fell off a roof in the early fifties …

CONCERN has been voiced by several West Clare councillors about the lost opportunity to change the charging structure for parking in seaside towns, as a way of resourcing local facilities. Progress with the updating of parking bye-laws, which could see changes to the current charging policy, was outlined at a district meeting last week. Several members voiced frustration that the status quo will remain in place this summer, while the area’s Director of Services said charges will ultimately have to be considered for facilities which have previously been free. The matter was raised by Councillor Shane Talty who tabled a motion asking about extra staff resources for 2022. He also asked for an update on the county-wide review of parking systems. The Ennistymon man welcomed the fact that facilities will be available for the upcoming four-day Bank Holiday weekend. However, he expressed concern that there will be no change to parking bye-laws this year. “There is money escaping that should …

AT its monthly meeting, Clare County Council condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while it expressed its willingness to do what it can for the refugees now fleeing the country, writes Owen Ryan. Monday’s meeting saw a minute’s silence observed, while Cathaoirleach of the Council PJ Ryan said that Clare stands with Ukraine. “Clare County Council condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is in gross violation of international law and human rights. “This Council stands in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The thoughts of the elected members and staff of Clare County Council are with the people of Ukraine and with the Ukrainian community in Clare and Ireland. “As a demonstration of solidarity Áras Contae an Chláir is lit up nightly in the Ukrainian colours and the Ukrainian and Clare flags are being flown outside the building.” Councillor Ryan added, “Clare County Council supports Ireland’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine in their time …

CLARITY is being sought on the impact of wastewater plants on the county’s Blue Flag beaches, after a councillor claimed bathers are getting sick because of untreated effluent, writes Fiona McGarry. The Green Party’s Liam Grant hit out, at a recent meeting of West Clare councillors, at the suggestion that raised bacteria levels at beaches are caused primarily by heavy rain. A motion tabled by Councillor Grant called on the Council “to examine the daily discharge of wastewater treatment facilities for the last two years in Lahinch, Ennistymon and Kilkee with the intention of comparing this data with closures of nearby blue flag beaches to see if there’s any correlation between the two”. The motion noted water quality issues at several Blue Flag facilities. “I believe this has a lot to do with wastewater treatment facilities not being fit for purpose,” Councillor Grant stated. Addressing the meeting, the Lahinch native was sharply critical of Irish Water: “I’m worried about elevated …

OVER 1,100 homes could benefit from high grade heat generated as part of the planned €1.2 billion data centre campus in Ennis. It has been proposed to allow for homes or businesses to connect and make use of this heat within a 5km radius of the data centre site, a response to further information on the plans confirms. A decision on the controversial plan is due to be made in the coming weeks. Art Data Centres Ltd submitted a response to a further information request on the plans to Clare County Council. The developers’ response also contends an existing flood risk “will not be impacted” by the installation of a proposed new watermain as part of the plans. In its further information request the planning authority noted that excess heat from the proposal “may provide an opportunity for the provision of a district heating system” for the local area. A statement on whether full and comprehensive consideration has been given …

COUNCILLOR Cillian Murphy has called for a report on the impact of short term lets on communities across Clare to be commissioned by the County Council. In response to his proposal, a written report prepared by Direct of Services Liam Conneally said it was recognised that an over-concentration of holiday homes and short term lets in an area can create a high level of vacancy outside of the main tourism season. This, he said, can have a negative effect on the sustainable development of rural settlements and areas and their communities. Mr Conneally’s response stated, “It is therefore essential to achieve a balance between the tourism needs of the county and the need to support the permanent population of settlements and rural areas. “The provision and distribution of holiday homes in settlements and rural areas throughout the county, particularly along the Atlantic Coast is monitored through the development management process to ensure that the overall vision of sustainable communities is …

A MEMBER of the local authority has pledged to make his views known on the performance of Irish Water when representatives of the utility attend a public meeting of Clare County Council tomorrow (Thursday).   Councillor Pat Hayes was among a number of members to express annoyance at the manner in which Irish Water treated the authority over an online briefing last month. He welcomed the fact that representatives have finally agreed to the in-person meeting this week. However, he said he would not hold back in telling Irish Water what he thought of the process to-date of consultation with the Council. “It’s just deplorable that we have to go through all this effort to try to get a public body to come to talk to us, when it’s trying to promote a scheme that is proposing to take water from the Shannon to supply the other side of the country,” he said.  Councillor Hayes explained that his understanding is …