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Tag Archives: scariff

Late Fr Leo remembered for decades of service

WARM tributes have been paid to Scariff native, Fr Michael (Leo) Long, who was laid to rest on Saturday last in the grounds of the Scared Heart Church. At the concelebrated funeral mass, Fr Leo was recalled by the Bishop of Killaloe as “certainly his own man” with a warm and outgoing personality.  Born in 1929, he studied at St Flannan’s College in Ennis from 1941 to 1946. He undertook studies for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Carlow from 1946 to 1952. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Rodgers on June 8, 1952, alongside his brother Fr Jackie. Fr Leo was ordained for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and ministered in Australia for many years, before returning to Ireland in 1991. He then ministered in Kilmurry McMahon for a year before serving in Silvermines and Templederry, retiring to Nenagh in 2017. He spent his final months at Carrigoran Nursing Home in Newmarket-on-Fergus and died at University Hospital …

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GALLERY: Scariff social enterprise credited for contribution to cultural heritage

THE invaluable work that an East Clare social enterprise is doing to conserve Ireland’s plant genetic resources as well as the agricultural and social heritage associated with them is celebrated in a new book, which was launched last week in Scariff.  Irish Seed Savers Association was the venue for the latest in-person launch of Other Stories, Cultural Heritage & Society. Seed Saver’s Scarriff hub at Capparoe was a hive of activity as the local group gathered with representatives of International Council on Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS) Ireland and many others who contributed to the beautifully-crafted publication. ICOMOS Ireland funded the free book which showcases the work and importance of 15 culture, heritage and society projects on the island of Ireland and gives a voice to those involved in the form of personal reflections. Also included is the X-PO in Kilnaboy.    At the East Clare launch, Fidelma Mullane, President of ICOMOS Ireland, was among those in attendance. “The Faro Convention emphasises the …

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Controversial east Clare mast plan back on the agenda

CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace an existing telecoms mast in Scariff with a much higher structure have resurfaced, now that the developers have lodged an appeal.  While the Council rejected permission for a 21m structure in the town, Eir have now told An Bord Pleanála they are willing to reduce the height of the mast to 18m, if necessary. Making the offer to reduce the height, the appeal document warns that refusal “will reduce the quality of service to the wider area” and “result in a reduction for other digital coverage providers to gain representation on it”.  In documents submitted by agents Towercom, Eircom Ltd, trading as Eir, acknowledges the Council’s refusal of planning permission on the grounds of mast’s visual impact on the town and a scenic East Clare route. However, the appellant “respectfully disagrees” with the local authority’s rationale.  Documents submitted to An Bord Pleanála describe the proposed new mast, at the Eir exchanfe at the Connacht Road, as …

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Vote on Scariff car park ‘before Santa arrives’

HOPES are high that a new car park for Scariff will go through the planning process before the end of the year.  Pressure has been growing on public representatives to progress the issue, as the business community, shoppers and other stakeholders continue to voice concern over the lack of local parking. The matter was raised once again at a meeting Killaloe Municipal District, when Councillor Joe Cooney sought an update. Members had previously been told that efforts to accelerate progress had been made, after the car park element was separated out of a bigger project which will also see the development of a multi-service centre and improvements to the town centre. At the September meeting, Councillor Cooney asked district officials where matters currently stand.  Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Morgan Lahiffe assured members that work is ongoing. “We have now engaged with all stakeholders, councillors, Scariff Community Council and Scariff Town Team,” he said. “The acquisition of land has been agreed. …

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Building to begin this year on east Clare social housing estate

CONSTRUCTION on a new social housing development in an east Clare town is due to start before the end of the year, a Senior Engineer has confirmed.  Plans for 18 homes on a site at the Feakle Road in Ballyminoge, Scariff, were lodged by Clare County Council in November 2021. Last July, the authority was granted just over €6.09 million for the development, which is to be named ‘Droichead Nua’.  Last week’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District heard an update on the scheme, following a question from Councillor Joe Cooney. The Fine Gael member welcomed a progress report from Senior Executive Engineer in Housing, Niamh Madden. He noted that there are 140 people on the housing waiting list in the area, and expressed the hope some might be looked after with the new development.  Ms Madden’s response outlined that funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) had been granted “with an all-in budget of €6,093,289 …

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Plenty more Heritage Week events to enjoy in Clare

THERE are many Heritage Week events still to enjoy in county Clare over the coming four days, a selection of which we will round up here. In Scariff, Irish Seed Savers will host an exciting ‘Food Heritage for Biodiversity’ event on Sunday (August 21), from 11am to 5pm. ‘Sustainable Heritage’ and ‘Biodiversity’ are the themes for this year’s National Heritage Week and in exploring this further Irish Seed Savers have lined up a series of talks, tours and tastings which aim to deepen our connection with Ireland’s food crop heritage, natural environment and biodiversity. A Biodiversity Treasure Hunt for children will take place at 1pm and 3pm and live traditional music throughout day to accompany the schedule of events: 11am Seed Saving Demonstration with Deirdre Morrissey, Seed Curator at Irish Seed Savers 12am Guided Orchard, Log Bee Hive Tour & Heritage Apple Tasting 1pm Growing & Saving Seed for Biodiversity Walking Tour with Tristan Lienhard, Head Gardener at Irish Seed …

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Eir defends controversial mast as ‘futureproofing area’s needs’

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to install a 21-metre mast in the centre of Scariff has been defended by its developers, on the basis that it will future proof the area’s communications needs.  Proposals lodged by Eir at the end of last year, sparked considerable local alarm over moves to replace a 12m pole at the exchange of The Connacht Road with a much larger structure. A total of ten objections were lodged, including one with a petition containing 48 signatures.  Against that backdrop, County Planners contacted Eir in February seeking Further Information (FI) on a number of of aspects of the mast plan. The company has now responded.  Planners had raised concerns over the proposed location of the mast, which would be just 15m from a number of local homes and the potential for “an over-bearing, imposing effect”. They also said the proposed mast would be “highly visible” from locations including the R352, a designated scenic route.  In its recent response …

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Parking the hot topic as councillors come under pressure

PRESSURE is mounting on public representatives in East Clare to show that a recent major funding investment will pay off soon for the town of Scariff.  That was the view of two members of the Killaloe Municipal District committee when the group held their July meeting. Both Councillor Joe Cooney and Pat Burke sought an update on progress with the Scariff Rural Regeneration Project, particularly the car park element.  Last January, an allocation of just over half a million Euro was made by The Rural and Community Development towards a multi-service centre, improvements to the centre of the town and the development of a town car park.  “There is a lot of concern in Scariff over the lack of parking,” Councillor Cooney said. “The main one is that if we leave it until the regeneration project, it could be a long way down the road.” Councillor Burke agreed that the issue of parking is a challenge. “Pressure is really coming …

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