Tag Archives: clare

A FAMILY of four and their two dogs were rescued by the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat after their speedboat suffered engine failure on Tuesday evening. At 7.05pm the lifeboat Jean Spier launched following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to help the family on a 12ft speedboat adrift in open water south of Garrykennedy. The lifeboat, with helm crew Owen Cavanagh, crew Steve Smyth, Chris Parker and Tom Hayes on board, arrived on scene at 7.15pm. The family and dogs were safe and unharmed. Given their proximity to Garrykennedy Harbour, the closest safe harbour, and the hour, the helm decided that the safest option was to set up an astern tow and take the vessel with her passengers and an RNLI volunteer on board, to Garrykennedy, where the boat was tied alongside at 7.45pm. At 7.50pm lifeboat departed the scene and was back at Station at 8.05pm. Jeremy Freeman, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI, advises water users to …

THE next stage in the transformation of Ennis’ town centre has moved a step forward with Part 8 planning lodged by Clare County Council for the re-vamping of O’Connell Street. The plans, part of the overall Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project, include an upgrade of the public realm of O’Connell Street, with the one-way traffic flow retained. There will also be the creation of a new civic space outside the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, including shared surfacing in natural stone materials; street furniture; replacement street lighting; signage; tree planting and rain gardens; and all ancillary works; together with changing Barrack Street (east) from raised kerbs to flush shared surface. According to a design report the result of the works “will be a safer and more attractive pedestrian environment and spaces for all sectors of the community, facilitating the Town Centre as a destination for visitors, improving its vitality and enabling Ennis to capitalise on its unique …

CLARE GAA is planning on turning the Cloister car park in Ennis’s town centre into a permanent parking facility. An application for planning permission for the change of use of the site on Lower Abbey Street has been lodged with Clare County Council. The location currently has planning permission to provide spaces for vehicles before and after GAA matches and authorised events at Cusack Park. The planning application seeks a change of use from a private car park with this limited to a commercial car park for use as a both long term and short term stay for members of the public. The application also seeks permission for the completion of associated site drainage surface dressing, landscaping works and the site entrance, which were previously granted permission.

A RE-DESIGN of an entire development proposed for an historic area of Ennis’ town centre has been sought by the planning authority who have voiced “serious concerns” about the visual impact. Clare County Council have sought further information on the plans by Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the Drumbiggle area, with the local authority highlighting issues including that the height, massing and scale is “not acceptable” as currently proposed. Eko Integrated Services Ltd lodged the application for the development at Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane which if given the green light will see the construction of 46 residential units, a digital hub and cafe. The further information request states, “While a contemporary approach may be considered by the planning authority, this design ethos must have regard to the existing urban fabric in the vicinity of the site, the location of the site within the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and the adjoining hitoric buildings”. The developers have been asked …

WITH the pandemic having caused all sorts of upheaval, suicide prevention charity Pieta has recorded a 22% increase in demand for its services, and Clare based Tom McEvoy, who is its fundraising and advocacy manager for much of the country, says the distress is being seen in this county too. “It’s affecting everywhere, demand for all our services have increased significantly, so the growth has been seen all over, including in Clare and the surrounding counties,” he said. While the overall growth in demand for one of the country’s top suicide prevention charities is disturbing, the fact that far more younger people want its help is another concern. “In July of last year 15% of our clients were 18 and under. In July just gone that figure was up to 32%. It has increased hugely. “It is a concern obviously that more people underage are reaching out, we can cope with it, but if the trend continues that way it …

CAMPAIGNERS against plans for a €1.2 billion Ennis data centre have gathered hundreds of signatures from people supporting an objection to the development. Meanwhile, close to 50 submissions have been made to Clare County Council in relation to the planning application lodged by Art Data Centres Ltd. An objection to the plan made by Future Proof Clare includes the signatures of 250 people, the majority of which the organisation say were gathered within seven hours in Ennis’ town centre. Concerns have been raised about the planned development by politicians, individuals and groups with Future Proof Clare, Extinction Rebellion Clare and the Clare Environment Network joining forces in their opposition to the plans. Friends of the Irish Environment, Environmental Trust Ireland and Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe are also among those who lodged submissions. In their objection to the planning authority, Future Proof Clare have argued that the “extremely high electricity consumption will increase Ireland’s carbon emissions at a time when …

THE weather was wet and miserable last Saturday afternoon, but it didn’t stop more than 40 people turning out for a Heritage Week event at Hasting’s Cottage in Shannon. One of the most historic sites in the country’s newest town, Hastings Cottage is where the British Army’s General Lucas was held for part of his time in captivity, during the War of Independence. A group of musicians from the Sixmilebridge Folk Club provided music on the day, it being their first live performance in almost 18 months. Following this there were some short talks on the history of the site and its inhabitants. Hastings Cottage has been in the care of heritage group Dúchas na Sionna for the last ten years and its secretary Olive Carey outlined the progress that is being made in preparation for the complete restoration of the farmhouse barn, as a community, cultural and heritage facility. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council PJ Ryan spoke at the …

AN attempt will be made in Clare this month to carve a replica of a recently discovered wooden pagan idol. The 2.5m oak carved idol, which is over 1,600 years old, was unearthed by archaeologists with Clare-based firm AMS (Archaeological Management Solutions). On Saturday, August 28, AMS staff, members UCD’s Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture and the Pallasboy Vessel Project (UCC) will endeavour to carve a replica of the Gortnacrannagh Idol at Craggaunowen’s Living Past Experience. Work on the replica will start at 10am and continue throughout the day with visitors to the site able to watch the progress. Dr Ros Ó Maoldúin of AMS explained, “Since the Gortnacrannagh Idol is such a unique and significant find, we are making a replica to help us understand the idol better and appreciate how it was made. “It will be possible for people to see this in action at the Craggaunowen Archaeology Park in County Clare during the last weekend …