Tag Archives: Pat Dowling

Nine towns and villages in Clare have been allocated grants totalling €944,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A figure of €200,000 will be provided under the scheme for Tradaree Food Hub in Newmarket- on- Fergus. A sum of €100,000 each in funding will be given towards building conversions for digital hubs in Kilrush and Kilkee, the multi-service innovation centrein Ennistymon, the streetscape rejuvenation in Clarecastle, the Cnoc na Gaoithe expansion in Tulla, the community centre refurbishment in Miltown Malbay and the economic gateway project in Scarriff/Tuamgraney. Furthermore, €80,000 is nbeing provided for the pier and camping area in Kildysart and €64,000 for the development of two walks in Doonbeg. The scheme, which was launched in April, focuses on projects which can help to enhancen and develop rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development. “A particular emphasis has been placed on projects which have the capacity to support the economic development of rural town …

Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis in memory of the victims of Sunday night’s attack in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Councillor Tom McNamara, council chairman, and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, have signed the book, which is available for members of the public to sign in the foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis. On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare, Councillor McNamara extended his deepest sympathies and condolences to the friends and families of the victims of this attack. “I wish the people of the United States of America strength as they seek to overcome such a brutal and indiscriminate attack.” “The appalling massacre of music lovers of different generations, at a public event in Las Vegas has shocked people all over the world,” he said. On behalf of the people of Ireland, President Michael D Higgins also expressed his …

  Clare County Council today (Monday) hosted a delegation from Rhode Island, USA, at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis. The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, comprising business, tourism and government representatives, was led by Mayor Scott Avedisian, City of Warwick. Warwick is the second largest city in the State of Rhode Island and is home to T F Green Airport which is served from Shannon Airport by Norwegian Air. The delegation was welcomed to Ennis by Councillor Tom McNamara (Mayor of Clare), Pat Dowling,Chief Executive, Clare County Council and Padraic McElwee, head of enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare). A function attended by the delegation and community, business, Government, local government and tourism representatives from throughout County Clare was hosted in Durty Nelly’s, Bunratty, last night (Sunday).

WORK is underway in Lisdoonvarna on creating a historical exhibition in the ballroom of the Spa Wells. The aim is to show how the town developed from the discovery of the different wells in the mid-1700s right up to modern times. Lisdoonvarna Historical Society is behind the project and will be using photographs, prints and arterfacts to try and bring history to life. Pat Dowling is chairman of the group and he said, “It’s a work in progress at the moment. We got a small grant from Leader so we decided we will put up 20 roll-up banners, put on some of the high-resolution photographs. There are some super photographs, both in the National Library and some of the ones we have ourselves. We’re going to have some display trays and a bit of memorabilia in general from the Spa Wells and the town as well.” The group already has a fair bit of work done and Pat is hopeful …

The Rural Development Directorate of Clare County Council is inviting expressions of interest from new and established business and community groups across the county in relation to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2017. An initiative under the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development ‘Realising our Rural Potential’, funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the primary aim of the €20 million scheme is to enhance and develop towns and villages socially, economically and culturally. Up to 300 towns and villages across Ireland will benefit from funding under the scheme, which will be made available locally through Clare County Council to support rural regeneration.  The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000. Chief executive of Clare County Council Pat Dowling said, “The scheme will allow local business and community groups to fund projects that can …

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys has joined with Pat Dowling, CEO, of Clare County Council to encourage everyone in Clare to take part in the first Cruinniú na Cásca, a new national day of culture and creativity. It will take place on Easter Monday as part of the Creative Ireland programme. Cruinniú na Cásca is a day-long national celebration of culture and creativity, which will take place in Dublin city centre and around the country. From live music and dance, to coding, theatre, art and music workshops, talks and tastings, readings and screenings, for the first time this year, special Cruinniú na Cásca events will take place in each of the 31 local authorities across the country. Admission is free (although tickets are required for some events with limited capacity) and there is a special focus on events for families and children.

THE CEO of Clare County Council has vowed to “pursue with venom” funding needed for a number of key roads projects in the county with Transport Infrastructure Ireland [TII], including improving the road to Shannon Airport and Blake’s Corner. Pat Dowling has confirmed that there are ongoing discussions between Clare County Council and TII in relation to “a small number of key critical projects”, saying that the council will continue to pursue these projects with the national roads authority. He was speaking at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council where the importance of funding to extend and upgrade the N19 road to Shannon Airport was highlighted. Councillor John Crowe, who raised the issue, insisted, “By extending this small section of road, access to the airport would be enhanced and it would make easier access for traffic and pedestrians”. He stressed the importance of improving the route. “For people travelling from the south or west, they are driving on first-class …

HOUSEHOLDS in Clare will be paying more in Local Property Tax for next year than they have in the past two years. Members of Clare County Council have voted not to reduce the tax as they have done in previous years, meaning a 15% increase for households. The decision to collect the property tax at the full rate will result in €1.5 million in income for the local authority. Clare County Council CEO Pat Dowling commented that the people of County Clare will see “clear evidence” of the added value generated by the decision not to reduce the tax. Over a third of all properties in Clare, 36.5%, are in the lowest valuation band for the tax, with a 15% change resulting in an increase in their tax by €13.50 per year, or 26c a week. The next two valuation bands account for over a half of all properties with the change impacting these bands by €33.75 per year or …