Tag Archives: clare county council

ENNIS’ success in this year’s Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey along with other recent successes has highlighted the town’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit. That’s according to Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy, one of a number who welcomed this week’s announcement that the county capital had achieved the highest cleanliness level in the most recent IBAL nationwide litter survey. Eight out of 10 sites surveyed in the town by An Taisce were awarded the top litter grade with the town found to be “cleaner than European norms”. The first nationwide litter survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) since the Covid-19 crisis shows Ennis to be again ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ climbing to sixth spot in the ranking of 40 towns and cities nationwide. The county capital has bucked the trend with a nationwide dramatic fall in the number of towns and cities deemed to be ‘clean’ in the survey, its lowest …

ÁRAS Contae an Chláir will light up in the colours of pink and blue for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day this Thursday. Gemma O’Gorman, from Kilmurry McMahon, is raising awareness of the cause and the need for supports for families affected by miscarriage and infant death. Ms O’Gorman said, “In lighting up its headquarters, Clare County Council, in my opinion, is creating a platform for those who wish to acknowledge their loss and show a sense of solidarity with each other and that they are not alone. It may also encourage those who wish to gather and talk.” Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard added, “Clare County Council is pleased to support Gemma in raising awareness of the issues around miscarriage and infant death. We will be lighting up Áras Contae an Chláir on October 15 in sympathy with those who have experienced a loss and to mark this important day of remembrance.”

A “huge opportunity” to boost visitor numbers to Ennis with the plans for a Greenway from the county capital to West Clare has been highlighted by local councillors, with calls being made on landowners to get behind the proposal. Ennis councillors Johnny Flynn, Ann Norton and Pat Daly alongside Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, at a meeting of Clare County Council, sought an update on the likely completion dates for sections of the previously commenced portion of the West Clare Greenway from Ennis to Lahinch. The councillors pointed out that there has been “significant increased Government funding announced for Greenways.” Councillor Flynn outlined that the plans had been proposed back in 2006 as he sought clarification on the progression of the Greenway from Ennis outwards. Councillor Norton stated, “After this length of time why hasn’t our Greenway come about? We hear so much about what others in other counties have to offer.” She continued, “it would be fantastic if we had another …

EAST Clare tourism interests have warmly welcomed progress with the long-awaited project to develop a visitor centre for Inis Cealtra. Clare County Council announced this week that consultants, McCullough Mulvin Architects, Tandem Partners Ltd and Tobin Consulting Engineers, have signed a contract for the design of the Visitor Experience centre. The council is leading the project, along with a wide range of partners. Chairperson of East Clare Tourism, Arlene White welcomed a number of aspects of the plans to further the next stage of the project. “It is very encouraging to see the emphasis on sustainability and connections with the local community,” she said. “We want to avoid a situation where there are buses of visitors flocking and just barely touching down in the area. I think lessons have been learned, in that respect, from the situation at The Cliffs of Moher.” Ms White added that the challenge would be to ensure real benefits to the wider East Clare region. …

The importance of having working smoke alarms installed in the home is the key message of National Fire Safety Week 2020. National Fire Safety Week, jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, is about enhancing fire safety, particularly in the home. This year’s theme is ‘Smoke Alarms Save Lives’, or ‘Sábhálann aláraim deataigh beathaí’. The campaign will focus on fire safety in the home as the public continues to spend a greater amount of time at home during the current public health situation. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard, said, “National Fire Safety Week provides a timely reminder that there are steps we can all take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our homes from fire. Remember the STOP acronym: ‘S’ is for Smoke alarms – make sure you have at least one on every floor. ‘T’ is for Test your smoke alarm weekly, or ask someone to check it for you. ‘O’ is …

LIBRARIES will operate a call and collect while parks and playgrounds will remain open as part of changes announced to Clare County Council’s services as the county entered Level 3 restrictions this week. The Government announced that, from midnight on Tuesday all counties including Clare would be placed on Level 3 under the Plan for Living with Covid-19. This action is based on a review of the current public health advice and is in response to the deteriorating situation with the virus across the country. All counties will be at Level 3 for a period of three weeks until midnight on October, 27, at which point the situation will be reviewed by the Government, based on the status of the virus and public health advice. According to a spokesperson for the local authority, “Clare County Council will continue to provide services in accordance with public health guidelines during this period.” Members of the public are requested to note that where …

CLARE County Council has been urged to introduce traffic calming at a “very dangerous” crossroads near O’Brien’ s Bridge to avert a potential fatality. The call was made this week by O’Brien’s Bridge Community Group chairperson, Margaret O’Connor, who said it is essential this crossroads is made safe. The crossroads serves motorists travelling from Limerick to Killaloe and O’Brien’s Bridge to Bridgetown and Broadford. Ms O’Connor outlined this junction can be blind for any motorist exiting from O’Brien’ s Bridge, particularly if they are travelling to Bridgetown because they have to travel far out in the middle of the road with the risk of being hit by a car travelling at speed from the Killaloe or Limerick direction. She pointed out some motorists drive at high speed travelling from Killaloe to Limerick because they view it as a straight road. “From day one, I felt it was not safe. If you were a pedestrian or on a bike, you wouldn’t …

THE Clareabbey Roundabout is “a death trap” for cyclists and pedestrians and the notorious blackspot must be made safe as soon as possible before lives are lost, a Clare TD has said. Deputy Joe Carey spoke out after Clare County Council confirmed it is currently finalising a “feasibility and options report” for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the roundabout. The local Fine Gael TD has written to the local authority and TII for a progress update in which he outlined the serious danger the roundabout currently poses to cyclists and pedestrians. Deputy Carey said, “The extremely dangerous situation we have at Clareabbey Roundabout has dragged on for years and it’s vital that this death trap for pedestrians and cyclists is finally made safe as soon as possible before more accidents occur. “Transport Infrastructure Ireland are awaiting a feasibility report from Clare County Council and I look forward to the local authority making their submission in due course so …