Tag Archives: clare county council

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

ENNIS 2040 developments are predicted to create over 200 long term jobs and result in €3.5 million of new economic activity in the Clare economy annually. The Ennis 2040 DAC, in collaboration with Clare County Council, has released details of an Economic Impact Assessment examining the transformative potential of a proposed €48 million investment in four strategic town centre sites – Abbey Street Car Park, Harvey’s Quay, Post Office Field, and a brownfield site on Francis Street. The economic impact analysis was undertaken by AECOM and according to Kevin Corrigan, COO, Ennis 2040 DAC the study, “showcases the tremendous potential and wide-ranging benefits” of the proposed developments with “far reaching positive effects” for the town and county. The construction phase is projected to create 526 short term jobs, “providing a substantial and immediate boost” to the local job market.  Beyond construction, the completed projects are expected to generate over 200 long term jobs, contributing an additional €3.5 million annually to the Clare economy.  The proposed …

Clare’s longstanding record of success in the IPB Pride of Place competition has continued this year with the announcement that Tourism East Clare and the Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills in Ennistymon have been named winners at an awards ceremony held in the Armagh City Hotel. Three Clare community projects were bidding for national glory in the all-island competition, which is organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance, to showcase and celebrate exceptional community development efforts. Nominated by Clare County Council, Tourism East Clare was named overall winner in Community Tourism Initiative category for its efforts to promote sustainable tourism development in the region by fostering relationships among local providers and offering unique tourism products and packages. The Common Knowledge project “Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills” received a Special Award in recognition of its dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for joyful and sustainable living. Meanwhile, Ennis Men’s Shed was named as …

Met Éireann is warning that Storm Debi will sweep across Ireland on Sunday night and Monday morning. The national forecaster has issued a Status Orange wind warning for County Clare valid from 02:00 to 10:00, and a Status Red wind warning for County Clare valid from 03:00 to 05:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023. There is also a Status Yellow Wind & Rain warning for Ireland valid from 00:00 to 15:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023 Met Éireann has warned that it will be extremely gusty on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life. Possible impacts include: damage to exposed and vulnerable structures; disruption to services and transport; significant power outages; and fallen trees/branches. Clare County Council has made preparations in advance of Storm Debi and its associated windand rain warnings. Crews will be on standby and will assess and respond to the effects of the storm. The Council is advising members of the public to exercise caution …