CLARE County Council has signed a contract for a new €8.7 million County Library in Ennis with Galway-based firm Coolsivna taking over construction of the building. The contract signed on Friday in the Council Chamber at Áras Contae an Chláir by Patrick Gardiner of Coolsivna and Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling, in the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor PJ Ryan. The development had been on hold following the liquidation of initial tenderer Kilmihil-based Keating Construction. Coolsivna’s work is known to those in Ennis as the company has recently completed the Ennis Community College project, a 4,200-square-metre three-storey extension to the existing school. As a medium-sized company, Coolsivna has completed projects in residential and healthcare settings and has also won the contract for the construction of the new Craughwell National School in County Galway. The County Library project consists of a 2,321-square-metre building on the glór site comprising two public floors of library space …
Read More »County manager to be pressed for answers on Pakey contract
CHIEF Executive of Clare County Council Tom Coughlan is set to come under pressure for answers about the non-renewal of Neil Pakey’s contract at Shannon Group and the non-progression of the Lynx Cargo facility at the airport. Mr Coughlan is a member of the board of Shannon Group and at next Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, the six Shannon councillors will look for standing orders to be suspended for a discussion of the two issues. Just before Christmas it was announced that Mr Pakey’s contract would not be extended beyond next June. Also, in a letter to Clare County Council last month, Shannon Group confirmed that the Lynx Cargo project, which it was once claimed could deliver a huge amount of local jobs, is not going to proceed. On Wednesday, Independent Councillor PJ Ryan, who is chair of the Shannon Municipal District, said there is a need for information on why Mr Pakey is not being retained. “What we …
Read More »Barking mad over county pound contract
CLARE County Council is barking up the wrong tree if they take the operation of the county’s dog pound away from the ISPCA, animal welfare groups have warned. The county pound, located at the Gort Road Industrial Estate in Ennis, is currently being run by the ISPCA, with Frankie Coote as dog warden. However Clare County Council has put the operation of the pound out to tender. In just 24 hours, an online petition organised by the group Protecting Pound Dogs in Ennis County Clare has gained 1,000 signatures, with that figure continuing to grow. The petition is calling for the pound to remain in the hands of the ISPCA. Cork-based company Four Seasons Promotions Ltd, trading as ACS, is understood to be in the running for the tender to operate the county pound. However, Clare County Council insists that no decision has been made on the contract. A spokesperson for the council stated, “The tendering process has not yet …
Read More »Shannon Heritage wins €7m Easter Rising contract
SHANNON Heritage has been appointed to operate and manage the €7 million GPO Witness History Interpretive Exhibition Centre. It’s a major coup for Shannon Heritage, which is part of the newly established Shannon Group, also encompassing Shannon Airport and Shannon Commercial Properties. It already operates attractions in Clare like Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process, while the visitor centre is now under construction at the GPO. It is expected to attract up to 300,000 people a year following its opening at Easter 1916. Speaking about the contract award, Shannon Heritage CEO John Ruddle said, “Shannon Heritage is delighted to be involved with this nationally important project at the iconic GPO location. We have been managing visitor attractions for over 50 years and this new visitor attraction provides the company with a great opportunity to expand in the capital city and also play a vital role in the celebrations of the …
Read More »Kinvara sewage plant ‘almost there’
THE long-awaited sewage treatment plant planned for Kinvara is a step closer to becoming a reality after Irish Water confirmed in the past week that it has begun the tendering process for it and also a new sewage pipe network to serve the town. For decades, locals and public representatives have campaigned for a sewage treatment plant for the village. On hearing the news, Fine Gael Deputy Ciarán Cannon said, “We’re almost there and I’m delighted to have received this news from Irish Water. The tendering process for both the new plant and new network has finally begun and Irish Water will be seeking tenders from a preferred panel of contractors, who have already been through a serious process of scrutiny to determine that they are capable of delivering on such a contract. “The people of Kinvara have been very patient while witnessing raw sewage pouring into their beautiful bay on a regular basis. I know that at times they …
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