Tag Archives: Pat Dowling

ONE OF Golf’s most prestigious tournaments will come to North Clare in 2026, it was revealed this week.  On Monday afternoon (July 10), as members gathered for the last County Council meeting of the year, Chief Executive Pat Dowling broke the news, which had been confirmed just an hour before the gathering.  “One of the oldest and most prestigious event in the world of golf, the Walker Cup will take place in Lahinch in 2026,” Mr Dowling said. “The tournament will take place on the first weekeend in September. This is only the third time for the tournament to be held in Ireland in 100 years. Limerick can have the Ryder Cup, Clare will take the Walker Cup. The even will be live on TV in US and Europe and Clare County Council will be fully supportive of it. Lahinch will continue to build on its already strong reputation. This is a worldwide golfing event and securing it is another …

CLARE County Council this week signed a contract with Lambert Smith Hampton to undertake an in-depth review of the Clare-based assets of Shannon Heritage. The property condition survey of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle and Gardens, and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience will guide all future investment in maintenance, remedial and conservation works at the sites. The results of the technical audit will be presented to the local authority before the end of the year. “In order to commence our programme of investment in the assets, it is of critical importance that a detailed technical audit be carried out to determine the scale and nature of appropriate repairs and retrofitting measures that may be required,” said Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council. “Clare County Council is committed to investing in the future development of these sites for the benefit of the tourism sector and the wider economy, as …

A BRIEFING on the impact that new planning laws might have on the powers of local authority members is to be organised, the head of the Council has said.  Mr Pat Dowling was responding, at the January meeting of the authority, to concerns voiced by Councillor Cillian Murphy. The Loop Head man raised the topic of the Planning and Development Act, which was signed into law last month. He noted correspondence from Cork County Council members who have forwarded their concerns to Minister Darragh O’Brien and to associations representing councillors. They said that the law will “limit local Councillors’ powers” and that a ten-year proposed life span for county development plans is “far too long”.  Addressing Clare County Council, Councillor Murphy asked for a briefing on how the new legislation will impact local authority members. “It is only a notice of motion that was passed by the council in Cork, but if there is something there and if it is …

CLARE County Council being named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards was an honour and a humbling experience, said the Council CEO. The Council was also named overall winner in the ‘Festival of the Year’ (for Ennis Mela Festival) and ‘Sustaining the Arts’ award (for House! Open Air Aerial Dance Spectacle with Fidget Feet). At the Council’s budget meeting, its Chief Executive Pat Dowling said, “It was an honour and a humbling experience last night to be chosen amongst our peers. “Morevoer I think it’s important that these awards are endorsed by the business community, as overseen by various chambers of commerce across the country.” He added, “The two other authorities that we competed with for the overall award were Limerick City & County and South Dublin, two very large urban-based authorities. I take particular pleasure that we did come out on top.” Mr Dowling said the Council staff and the councillors …

THERE were bitter exchanges at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, with accusations of grandstanding and seeking to muzzle debate thrown around. The row began after a proposal from Councillor Gerry Flynn to suspend standing orders in order to discuss the taking over by Clare County Council of Shannon Heritage sites. His proposal also requested that CEO Pat Dowling take out a loan to fund the transfer, if such was required. The proposal was seconded by his fellow independent, PJ Ryan. However Councillor PJ Kelly said that the proposal could seriously damage the Council’s prospects of getting the funding it requires for the takeover. “We’re in a most difficult and sensitive situation in the negotiations here. Either the Government will give us €15 million or they won’t. We, here, are at risk of causing some self harm and defeating our objective of getting the maximum assistance from the Government.” He said the proposal amounted to “a classic example of foot …

INTENSIVE efforts to ensure consultation on the new defective concrete blocks grant, which is to cover this county, have resulted in an agreement to hear from affected homeowners before legislation is finalised. The announcement from the Housing Committee falls short of full pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS), which had been sought by campaign groups, including that in Clare. However, it will mean that members of Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) are likely to get the opportunity to address the committee next week. It also means the legislation can be fast-tracked. The move follows a request by Deputy Joe Carey and two party colleagues to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing to engage in a PLS process. “With Deputy Kieran O’Donnell from Limerick and Deputy Joe McHugh from Donegal, I have written to the Chair of the Housing Committee seeking PLS,” Deputy Carey confirmed. “I have also asked Minister Darragh O’Brien to facilitate a full briefing for the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) …

ANNOYANCE at the exclusion of local authority chiefs from the new Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, was expressed in no uncertain terms at this month’s County Council meeting.  Strong concern was expressed that the Chief Executive of Clare County Council has not been included on the group, and that his counterparts in Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary have also been snubbed.  Chief Executive Pat Dowling told councillors that he had gone so far as to formally apply for a place on the taskforce, but that his application had been rejected. That is despite the fact that local authorities have been identified as key stakeholders in the development of the Estuary.  In a joint motion, Councillors Ian Lynch, Cillian Murphy and Johnny Flynn called on the Tánaiste to include local authority heads. A separate motion from Councillor Flynn also asked that the potential of the Fergus Estuary be included under its remit.  Councillor Murphy said there were several concerns over the taskforce. “The …

AN impatient response given by the Taoiseach when asked about the transfer of Shannon Heritage was criticised at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, with members of Fianna Fáil as critical of the Taoiseach as anyone. Some weeks ago Mr Martin told the Dáil that Clare County Council “should get on with it” regarding taking over the Shannon Heritage tourist attractions, comments that were very unfavourably received in Clare. At the March meeting Councillor PJ Ryan put forward a motion asking that the Council would seek a meeting between the Taoiseach and Council CEO Pat Dowling, to discuss the financial implications of the proposed transfer. Councillor Ryan said the staff of Shannon Heritage are anxious about the situation. He also said that financial support is required for the take over, and that it will be profitable, but that could take some time. In the Dáil, the Taoiseach had compared the proposed take over with Cork County Council taking over Spike …