Tag Archives: Gerard Dollard

The new CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Bord na gCon, is Gerard Dollard, currently assistant chief executive and director of economic development with Clare County Council. Next September, he will take over as head of the Irish semi-state body, which is responsible for regulating and promoting greyhound racing in Ireland since 1958. Having spent the past 35 years with the local authority, he is stepping down from his Clare County Council position, which includes responsibility for economic development, tourism and planning in the municipal district of Ennis. A native of Limerick city, Mr Dollard has close connections with Clare, as both his parents, now deceased, were from the county. His father, Patrick, was from Erinagh, Fountain, and his mother was Mary Murphy from The Hand. He was also related to the late Sean Ó Murchú, the widely-known county council planning officer officer for many years. Mr Dollard commenced his local authority career with Limerick Corporation and, after 15 years, …

Ennis was represented at the funeral of Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, on Friday by Councillor Pat Daly, outgoing Mayor of Ennis and Gerard Dollard, interim chief executive of Clare County Council. During his visit to the Clare County Capital in September 2009, Muhammad Ali was named the first Honorary Freeman of Ennis in recognition of his career achievements and his ancestral links with the Clare county capital. Thousands of people filled the streets of the town during the visit. Ali’s ancestor Abe Grady emigrated from County Clare to the United States in the 1860s. He eventually settled in Kentucky, where he married an African-American woman. Their son also married an African-American and one of the daughters of that union was Ali’s mother, named Odessa Lee Grady. She married Cassius Clay, senior, and they settled in Louisville, where their son was initially given his father’s name on his birth in 1942. During Friday’s memorial service, Mr Dollard and Councillor …

The historic Loop Head Lighthouse is to reopen to the public on Good Friday. The 19th century West Clare landmark will be looking to capitalise on its designation as a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way by exceeding the 20,368 visitors it recorded during its six-month opening period during 2014. Clare County Council, which manages Loop Head Lighthouse, in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, says the facility will remain open daily (10am-6pm) until October 4. “2014, which was the lighthouse’s fourth year of operation as a visitor attraction, saw visitor figures buoyed by the development of new services at Shannon Airport, favourable weather conditions and the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way,” said Gerard Dollard, director of services, Tourism & Community, Clare County Council. “We are confident that its status as one of Clare’s most popular visitor attractions as well as a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way will garner further interest from domestic …

Visitors to Loop Head Lighthouse increased by 7.5% during the West Clare landmark’s six-month opening period up to Sunday, October 5. Figures released by Clare County Council, which manages the facility in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), reveal that a record 20,368 people visited the historic lighthouse. Just over 60% of visitors were Irish visitors, with North America, the United Kingdom and Germany each accounting for 8% of the overall figure. Italian and French visitors represented just over 5% of the total figure. Gerard Dollard, director of services, tourism and Community, Clare County Council, said visitor numbers at the lighthouse were buoyed by the development of new services at Shannon Airport, favourable weather conditions during September, and the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way. “Loop Head Lighthouse is now finishing its fourth year of operation as a visitor attraction. During this time, it has become firmly established as one of Clare’s most popular visitor attractions,” he said. Mr …

Clare County Council has taken in charge 29 housing developments comprising hundreds of residential and other properties throughout the county since the beginning of 2013. The council has confirmed it  is making “steady progress” in addressing difficulties at 180 developments around Clare brought about through the collapse of many companies in the building sector. In 2013, a total of 14 developments were formally taken in charge by the local authority, while an additional 15 developments have been fully taking in charge during 2014. “Each taking in charge involves a complex process culminating in a public consultation and a resolution of the elected members,” said Gerard Dollard, director of services, Clare County Council. The council has made a comprehensive submission to the department on the issue and has secured funding under the Special Resolutions Fund for two developments at Aisling on the Shanaway Road, Ennis and Bruachlan Grianán on the Westbury development in South East Clare, according to Mr Dollard. Meanwhile, Mr. Dollard said the council also …