Tag Archives: North Clare

Fears bureaucracy may scupper €7m Ennistymon retirement development Fears have been expressed that North Clare will lose the opportunity to develop an approved €7 million purpose built supported retirement complex in Ennistymon unless the national funding criteria is changed to facilitate ambitious plans from a voluntary housing organisation. Inagh Voluntary Housing Association (IVHA) has secured an agreement with Banna Developments to redvelop the old convent site in Ennistymon into a sheltered retirement village with 30 accommodation units, subject to state funding. However, this major elderly housing scheme hangs in the balance over Department of Housing criteria for the administration of government funded projects. Banna Developments, c/o Áine Hussey and Thomas Fitzgerald, Quin, was granted planning permission on December 20, 2019, to refurbish the existing convent building and an extension to include 12 two-bedroom apartments with a doctor’s room, day room and laundry facilities; the construction of a new three-storey building to the rear of the existing building consiting of 18 …

A WELL known North Clare hotel is facing closure for a temporary period due to chronic staff shortages, it emerged this week. Staff shortages in the hospitality sector in the Burren could hamper Autumn bookings, following one of the busiest summers in the region in recent years in terms of Irish visitors. Hotels and self-catering accommodation providers have reported bookings are up on last year, due to a combination of recent fine weather and the desire to holiday at home due to coronavirus restrictions, abroad. Despite Ireland’s vaccine roll out success many people are still putting off taking international holidays until next year. But an exodus of staff from the sector is proving to be a major hurdle for many businesses in the Burren region. One of the businesses badly affected by staff shortages is Gregans Castle Hotel in Ballyvaughan. Simon Haden, owner of Gregans Castle said the hotel are extremely busy up to the end of October. However, he …

FARMERS, food producers and artisans in the Burren are reaping the benefits of agritourism initiatives this summer as visitors flock to try unique food experiences in the region. As people holiday at home this year, experiences such as food trails, foraging walks, food visitor experiences and farm stays have all become popular, according to Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network, which represents over 70 diverse businesses in the region. “For farmers, agritourism offers an opportunity to diversify and create supplementary income,” he said. “Many enjoy the social aspect of meeting people and share their special stories about the food, agriculture and biodiversity of the region. “For visitors, it allows them to connect with the land, the people, the animals and learn more about where their food comes from while enjoying beautiful landscapes of the Burren. “There really is no better place for visitors to learn about the region than from those who have farmed the land for generations.” …

EFFORTS are getting underway in Kilfenora to restore a flower bed and signage on one of the main approach roads to the historic village, after they were struck by a car at the weekend. The incident, which happened on Sunday night, involved the vehicle veering into recently-planted flower bed and hitting one of the only signs welcoming visitors to Kilfenora. It is understood nobody was injured and Gardaí, who removed the car on Monday evening, are continuing to investigate. While relieved that the accident hadn’t been a more serious one, local people have been expressing annoyance at the fact the car was abandoned at the scene, and at the amount of damage done. “We have a great Tidy Towns group who work really hard on keeping the village looking good,” said Andy Lambert, Secretary of Kilfenora Development. “That flower bed was put in six weeks ago and the sign is the only identification on that approach road to the village. …

THREE Ennistymon area councillors have raised concerns about the adequacy of resources in the local authority’s Planning Department, citing a backlog with access to pre-planning advice. In a joint, cross-party, motion tabled before the July meeting of the local authority, Councillors Shane Talty, Joe Killeen and Joe Garrihy described the pre-planning function as being “bedevilled by delays”. “Pre-planning should be the cornerstone of building a house,” Councillor Talty told the meeting. “Planning staff now appear to be swamped with full planning applications. Those have to get priority. This is not a criticism of the Planning Department, but there are delays, in getting pre-planning meetings, in some cases of four or five months and that’s not serving anyone. People are getting frustrated with the wait and they’re firing in their applications and then getting into conflict.” The Fianna Fáil member also described a “geographical lottery” for those looking for pre-planning advice. “There are huge build-ups in some areas and a long …

GARDAÍ are appealing to motorists accessing the county’s beauty spots to show consideration for residents and other road users, with the mercury soaring to 30 degrees this week. Staycationers, in unprecedented numbers, have brought a welcome boost to Clare’s tourism economy and created a festival atmosphere in conditions that have been more or less idyllic all week. The only down side the authorities have reported is significant traffic congestion at locations in the North and West of the county. Spanish Point, Seafield and Doolin were highlighted as particular areas of concern with heavy traffic and parking issues causing chaos. “The Garda message is that the roads, and the facilities, are there for everyone,” said Superintendent John Galvin of the Killrush Garda District. “We’re appealing to people to obey the traffic regulations because everyone wants to enjoy the summer safely.” Hot today and dry with hazy sunshine. ☀️Highs of 26 to 30 degrees🌡️, with slightly lower temperatures along southern and eastern …

KINVARA Area Visual Artists (KAVA) is opening the doors of the Courthouse for an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Terri Kelleher, which contemplate the concept of home. The Ballinderreen-based artist and children’s book illustrator created most the pieces this year and last, and the exhibition, entitled ‘Home’, will run from July 23 to 30. “Most of us have spent so much time at home over the last year-and-a-half and it’s something that we have almost taken for granted,” Terri said. “The exhibition looks at how important this space is to us. It’s somewhere that we should have a sense of safety and be free to find ourselves. Home is usually the place where our loved ones are. It could be linked to our ancestral story and should be our anchor in this world. The drawings and paintings in this exhibition touch on the idea of our connection to familiar places and we often think of home as being a …

Engineer says that a centralised plant for problem areas would be more efficient THE development of single waste water treatment systems for four North Clare locations is a “waste of resources”, according to a local civil engineer. Irish Water has confirmed works to end the long-running practice of discharging raw sewage into Liscannor Bay are due to get underway in the coming months following the appointment of a contractor to construct a new wastewater treatment plant. However, Mick Duffy believes the development of a central treatment plant to deal with waste water issues in Kilfenora, Ennistymon, Lahinch and Liscannor would be far more cost efficient for the taxpayer. “Kilfenora, Ennistymon, Lahinch and Liscannor all have issues with under capacity or dysfunctional wastewater systems,” Mr Duffy told The Champion. “It seems to me a pity and a waste of resources that these are treated individually instead of in combination with one appropriate plant treating all. “Nobody has costed such a solution …