Tag Archives: Clarecastle

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 …

Clare County Council consultants have completed investigations at Latoon Creek Bridge, which has been the subject of a weight restriction since late 2015. The local authority said it anticipates that repair work to the bridge, which is located between Newmarket-on-Fergus and Clarecastle on the old Ennis/Limerick road, will begin next month and will be completed during November. Tom Tiernan, senior engineer, Clare County Council explained, “Due to the complex nature of the construction of the bridge, specialist contractors with experience in investigation of similar structures conducted additional structural investigations, load assessments and sensitivity analysis. The result of their investigations, recently completed, is that the 3.5-tonne weight restriction can now be eased to 18 tonnes. This amended restriction, however, must remain in place until the repairs are carried out.” “The new restriction will be less onerous than that which has existed up to now,” he added. “From today (Monday) vehicles of up to 18 tonnes will be free to use the …

Hundreds of workers in a Clarecastle pharmaceutical manufacturing facility have been left reeling after talks to copperfasten an expected takeover by another global giant ended unsuccessfully. Roche Ireland has confirmed that negotiations for the transfer of the Clarecastle manufacturing site to a global pharma services company have ended without an agreement following a rigorous examination. As announced in November 2015, production at Clarecastle will cease in a phased approach currently estimated to be completed between 2018 and 2019 when the company will exit the site. Roche will now enter into formal consultation with employees and their representatives about the planned closure of the site. Barring a new deal with another global giant, the closure will cost the local economy an estimated €20 million in direct and indirect jobs. Workers were informed about the unsuccessful end to negotiations at a meeting in the Clarecastle facility on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the company said it is …

AN appeal against Clare County Council’s refusal of planning permission for the redevelopment of a filling station in Clarecastle has been withdrawn. Plans for the redevelopment of the existing Maxol filling station on the Ennis Road were earlier this year refused permission by Clare County Council, who found that the proposal could “endanger public safety” and have an “adverse impact” on the vitality of Ennis and Clarecastle. Maxol Ltd had looked to redevelop its existing filling station on the Ennis Road in Clarecastle, which they said would lead to the creation of 12 to 15 jobs. While the appeal has been withdrawn, Maxol are open to submitting a new development proposal for consideration by the planning authority. The original proposed development would have included the demolition of the existing forecourt building, canopy, fuel tanks and all associated structures at the station. It was also proposed to demolish an adjoining disused dwelling, associated sheds, boundary walls and structures. Under the plans, …

A BUS route running from Clarecastle to Ennis could be worth €200,000 a year to an operator, it has been claimed as the pedal is being put back on efforts to initiate a service. Councillor Johnny Flynn, at this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, urged that the Minister for Transport and the National Transport Agency support any licence application to initiate a trial bus route from Clarecastle through Ennis and on to the Gort Road Business Park. According to Councillor Flynn, this could have the potential to become phase one of “an important transport option” for students, residents, visitors and workers in Ennis. He outlined that a feasibility study had been carried out by Ennis Town Council into the possibility of running a service. “The work was done but the collapse of the economy put a stop to it,” he said. According to the councillor, the proposed route has 1,300 students and 1,695 workers living and potentially travelling …

A Clarecastle woman has danced her way to the top of the world. Zoe Griffin has been named senior ladies champion at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow. “I’m delighted, this is always something that I wanted to do and I couldn’t believe it when it happened. When I went to the competition I was aiming for top five but to win, I’m just delighted,” the 21-year-old told The Clare Champion. Zoe was just three-weeks-old when she first visited Scoil Uí Ruairc School of Irish Dancing accompanying her older sister Sonya. “I’m part of the furniture now,” she laughs. She explains, “My sister was a dancer so I just went with her. She was eight and I was only a baby then, I suppose I was born into it.” Zoe was among the 14 solo qualifiers and a céilí team from Scoil Uí Ruairc to compete in Glasgow. Collectively, the dance school have brought home a world championship, two …

CLARE County Council has put the brakes on plans to redevelop a filling station in Clarecastle, saying the proposal could “endanger public safety” and have an “adverse impact” on the vitality of Ennis and Clarecastle. Maxol Ltd had looked to redevelop its existing filling station on the Ennis Road in Clarecastle, which they said would include the creation of 12 to 15 jobs. Plans included the demolition of the existing forecourt building, canopy, fuel tanks and all associated structures at the station. It was also proposed to demolish an adjoining disused dwelling, associated sheds, boundary walls and structures. Under the plans, a new forecourt would have been provided with a 100m2 shop, including off licence. It was also proposed to have a self-service food and seating area. However, the plans have been refused by Clare County Council. The planning authority stated, “It is considered that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Ennis …

Clare County Council has formally asked Grant Thornton, the receivers of the unfinished development at Cois Fhorgais in Clarecastle village, to furnish their plans for the site. The development, which is known locally as Devine’s Field, has been in a state of disrepair for several years. Local Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey has been advised by the council’s planning department that they recently carried out an inspection of the unfinished development at Cois Fhorgais, Clarecastle and had written to the receivers, Grant Thornton, with reference to the long-term resolution of the site and current issues therein which require immediate attention. “As you are aware, the above site is listed on the Register of Unfinished Housing Developments and it is noted that little or no recent works have been carried out on the site to rectify the situation. There is currently a live extension of planning permission on the site, which will expire in April 2016. Consequently, the planning authority has requested the …