Tag Archives: Clarecastle

By Peter O’Connell A FORMER Clare IFA chairman said “nothing has been achieved” to date, with regard to the installation of flood defences along the banks of the Shannon Estuary and on to Doonbeg. At a meeting of Clare County Council’s Environmental and Water Services Strategic Policy Committee on Wednesday, Seamus Murphy claimed Clare farmers have been “abandoned and let down by the State”. He also revealed that Clare IFA-generated professional assessments of flood damage was deemed not acceptable by the Office of Public Works (OPW), who had been forwarded the reports by Clare County Council. “The county council staff in this section were overwhelmed with other storm damage work of a higher priority and could not undertake further work. They suggested farmers hire private engineers to undertake the assessment work,” Mr Murphy explained. “Officials from the OPW met with the IFA last week and, in the course of discussions, it was revealed that they would not act on the …

THE children of Clarecastle came together last weekend to prepare the ground for the new playground in the heart of the village. They agreed that many hands make light work and that they would do what they could to get things moving in advance of the big machinery arriving on-site on Monday. It has been a long road but Clarecastle Community Development Ltd (CCDL) is delighted to see the physical work on the Clarecastle community playground commence at last. “There were a number of unforeseen problems with the project, which caused major delays,” said Marie Clare Gorman, spokeswoman for CCDL, “but with the support of Clare County Council, Leader and the local community, we have overcome the difficulties and a playground is in sight.” The playground is expected to be completed and in full use in June, just in time for the school summer holidays. Most of the finance required from the community has been raised and it is hoped …

by Seamus Hayes Clarecastle’s Jonathan Clancy has called time on his inter-county hurling career. A member of the squad since 2005 when he was included by the then manager, Anthony Daly, the midfielder was retained by subsequent managers, Tony Considine, Mike McNamara, Ger O’Loughlin and Fitzgerald. He is the second member of the All-Ireland winning squad to retire from inter-county hurling. Fergal Lynch from Clooney-Quin, who is now part of the backroom team, having been appointed by manager Davy Fitzgerald as a forwards’ coach, announced his retirement the week after the All-Ireland final. That success last September was “the highlight” of Clancy’s eight-year inter-county career he told The Clare Champion this week. “Prior to that, there wasn’t much silverware but I wouldn’t change anything. They were great times but very tough, particularly when one was trying to work also,” Clancy added, confirming that he will continue to play with his club. Clancy played two years with the Clare minors and …

By Jessica Quin WITH the 200th anniversary of the quay in Clarecastle approaching next year, its potential for attracting tourism to the region has been recognised. The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary has highlighted that Clarecastle has “plentiful opportunity” to raise its tourism profile. Preparation of the SIFP was commissioned by Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company. Responding to a motion at a recent meeting of Ennis East electoral area councillors, senior planner, Gordon Daly stated, “The SIFP for the Shannon Estuary published in November 2013 recognises that the village of Clarecastle with “its rich heritage and historical importance as a military base, commercial port and fishing village, provide plentiful opportunity to raise its tourism profile.” “The SIFP is a high level plan that it is intended will be incorporated into the Clare County Development Plan 2011 – 2017 by variation in 2014. Clarecastle …

As County Clare took a battering from storm-force winds last night and in the early hours of this morning, the roof of a stable in Clarecastle was blown off. Two horses in the stables of Carole McLaughlin escaped injury. A few miles away, at St Flannan’s College a mature tree was toppled along with heavy branches from other trees. Around the county, there were other reports of some trees down but there were no reports of serious damage.   Met Éireann has downgraded the red and orange weather alerts to moderate winds and rain.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-20 Inagh/Kilnamona 0-16   Newmarket-on-Fergus completed the first three-in-a-row in the Clare Champion Cup for over 30 years on Saturday, their club pocketing the €3,500 winners prize in the process. The Blues were without doubt the better side and as early as the ninth minute, when Shane Liddy had their second goal, it was hard to see them being beaten at a Clarecastle venue that was in great condition for the time of year. Inagh/Kilnamona trailed for nearly 90% of the game, but they fought as best they could and did mange to cut an eight-point half-time deficit to four but, crucially, they never brought the gap back to a single score, which could have really tested Bob Enright’s men. The early goals were crucial and the Blues had clearly decided to focus on green flags. After seven minutes they trailed 0-3 to 0-2, but had already gone for majors on three occasions when points were there for the …

Despite the cold weather conditions, there were big entries for competitions at Lahinch over the Easter period.