Tag Archives: Councillor Joe Garrihy

THE establishment of the North Burren Community Group has been hailed as an example of what small rural communities can achieve when they unite under a new umbrella organisation. Niamh Wiley, Rural and Community Development Officer (RCDO) provided an example of a “partnering of parishes” approach operating in North Clare at a recent West Clare Municipal District (MD) meeting. The setup and growth of the group was aided through the work of the RCDOs. Following a series of local consultation and engagement, the North Burren Community Group was formed last year, consisting of active stakeholders from all the various parishes, selected with specific skill sets. The group represents the parishes of Carron and Noughaval, Belharbour, New Quay, Finavarra Peninsula and Aughinish Island, spanning a radius of 30km, to include approximately 1,000 residents. This partnership of parishes model was adapted by the group because of the need to address the lack of shared community and enterprise space in this area of …

SEVERAL roads on the Wild Atlantic Way are “not fit for purpose” due to the increasing number of coach tours and vehicles using these routes, a local councillor has claimed. In light of the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and in particular the ever-increasing popularity of the route along the West Coast of Clare, improvement funding has been sought. Councillor Joe Garrihy has called on The West Clare MD to write to Fáilte Ireland, and the ministers for Tourism and Transport to seek appropriate ring-fenced and increased allocation of funding to upgrade, maintain and bring to appropriate standard the road surface, markings, lay-bys and roadside boundaries along this route. “The international marketing and resulting increased traffic along with ever increasing numbers of large coach tours on this route is bringing a usage and scale of wear and tear at a level, which requires ring-fenced funding over and above the standard roads allocation to ensure a quality product and experience …

CLARE County Council has pledged to lend community development assistance to any local voluntary group that establishes a proposed new meals on wheels service for elderly people in West and North Clare. This follows a call from Councillor Cillian Murphy and Councillor Joe Garrihy for the West Clare MD, Age Friendly Clare, and the Rural Development Directorate to support local community groups, the HSE and OBAIR Newmarket in the establishment of a meals on wheels and odd job service for West and North Clare. In the context of the population, over 65, living in North and West Clare, many in rural and isolated areas, they pointed out this would enable older people to live healthier and longer in their own communities and to have a consistent regular contact linking them to locally delivered services. Responding to their joint motion at a West Clare Municipal District (MD) meeting on Tuesday, acting Rural Development Senior Executive Officer, Bernie Haugh, said the Directorate …

FAKE news and rumours pose a huge threat to the stability of communities hosting those fleeing Ukraine and other war-torn regions, a number of Clare councillors have warned. The issue of far right propaganda and its impact on communities accommodating refugees and asylum seekers was raised by North Clare’s Councillor Joe Garrihy during a discussion of supports for rural Ireland. The Lisdoonvarna man described as “very worrying” the gap between communities on the ground who are the “frontline”, and the supports being provided by government. The Fine Gael member described the impact of the pandemic as “seismic” and that communities were now being called on in another crisis situation.  “Now, we’re affected and responding to the largest humanitarian response that the country has ever seen in the history of the State,” he said. He added that while all of the community development guidelines advised working from the ground up, this was a challenge in the current situation. “Through the humanitarian …

CONSTRUCTING something like the Lahinch Leisure Centre on a new green field site would cost between €17 and €18 million compared to the €6 million it cost to refurbish the existing facility, according to a former manager. Councillor Joe Garrihy said the new revamp, which was done at about 30% of the cost of a new building, represents great value for money. Urging community groups in towns to look at what has been achieved in Lahinch, Councillor Garrihy said a new leisure centre, public toilets, rescue centre, public realm works and upgraded Lahinch Sportsfield are now all within walking distance. “When community, state agencies and stakeholders work together collectively, you can achieve a lot more. We now have a centre that will generate year-round business with tourism providing the cherry on top.” Councillor Garrihy said a state-of-the-art facility had to be provided when the roof started leaking years ago and was close to blowing away. When the Fine Gael councillor …

HOUSING in rural areas was the focus debate at the July meeting of Clare County Council, with a call for all stakeholders to be brought together on the issue.  The issue was raised by Councillor Joe Garrihy who described rural housing as “one of the major challenges of our time”. He thanked Director of Service, Anne Haugh and Leonard Cleary for their “very progressive view” and expressed the hope that “an unprecedented investment in rural areas … will result in reversal in decline in West Clare”.  “This challenge merits a very specific focus and engagement with key stakeholders,” Councillor Garrihy said. “Unless we tackle the ability and capacity of people to live in the areas we’re investing in, there’s a danger that that investment will be undermined. The progressive nature and approach of the Council is to be commended, but maybe we could convene a specific group. We have a rural pillar and director who does extraordinary work. “Encouraging and …

THE man who died in this week’s drowning accident at Fanore has been named locally as Patrick McCarthy. Patrick, who had worked at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, is survived by his wife Christina and four children. Local councillor Joe Garrihy said that the family lived between Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan and are very well regarded in the area. “They’re involved in everything in the community and they’re involved in everything that we do. It’s devastating to be honest to you, we see it all the time, the worst things happen to the nicest of people. They’re so nice and they give to the things and help with a heart and a half.” He said that the death has caused huge sadness in the area. “The place is devastated. This is a young person, a young family, they know everyone and are involved in everything. “In small communities like ours, it’s like an extended family. Especially when kids are growing up …

“WHO will you save?” a member of the Council asked, during a discussion on which Clare village will be put forward first tor a slice of a €50 million fund for wastewater infrastructure.  Councillor Gerry Flynn was speaking in support of a motion from Councillors Joe Garrihy, Shane Talty and Bill Chambers. The three West Clare members asked for clarity on the funding criteria.  Councillor Garrihy welcomed the national funding allocation “as a first effort to address lack of provision of waste water treatment in rural areas”. “I commended the Chief Executive and Council staff for pushing this,” he said. “We are now looking for the criteria, targets and the bar that towns and villages have to meet to put themselves in the frame for this funding. Has there been a town or village in Clare selected? There are four in Clare waiting: Doolin, Carrigaholt, Broadford and Cooraclare.” The Lisdoonvarna said Doolin’s economic development is held back due to lack …