Tag Archives: scariff

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 …

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 …

A STORY exchange and art-making workshop for adults takes place at Scariff Library on Saturday, July 23, as a way of reuniting East Clare communities after the pandemic. ‘Sharing Ground’ is a participatory art project that responds to the divisions that arose during the lockdowns. It will examine ways to meet each other with understanding, even when we hold divergent views. Story Exchange is a process of sharing short stories from participants’ lives, and includes participation through active listening. Its purpose is to create a space where people can see and acknowledge each others’ differences and, on a human level by sharing stories, build understanding through empathy. The project is being organised by artist Nathalie El Baba, who has trained under Narrative 4 as a Story Exchange facilitator. It is funded by the Arts Council and will be visually documented by West Clare-based photographic artist, Myriam Riand. A publication about the exchange will be produced. An information session takes place …

INVESTMENT of €3 to €4 million will be made in Scariff in the coming years, a meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District has heard.  The busy East Clare market town was allocated more than half-a-million Euros to-date, under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). The use of that tranche of funding was explained by Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Morgan Lahiffe, in response to a question from Councillor Joe Cooney.  The Killaloe Cathaoirleach sought an update on progress with the project. “There has been a lot of concern about parking in Scariff again recently,” Councillor Cooney said. “People have been looking for updates. The fact is that the funding will only cover Step One. We need to be clear about what we will be able to do with this funding.” Mr Lahiffe outlined that the current funding allocation does not provide for the delivery of a carpark. “The RRDF is for rural areas and we identified it as the best …

A SCARIFF-BASED health psychology expert is about to launch a new online platform to promote wellbeing in the workplace. Award-winning entrepreneur Lorraine Lynch has teamed up with psychotherapist Áine Connaire to establish the Business Psychology Academy (BPA). The duo have combined their expertise working with individuals, organisations and entrepreneurs, to create the online education platform to provide training, workshops and consultation. The premise is that, in today’s post-pandemic climate, psychology’s place in ensuring our workplace does not have negatively impact our mental health, has become more important than ever. Having won Enterprise Ireland’s Startup of the Year and Network Ireland’s Businesswoman of the Year in 2021, Lorraine is a passionate advocate for the benefits of addressing wellbeing at work. Employees are not just people who work in companies, in Lorraine’s view, they are people with families, interests, problems and aspirations. To be treated on this level, as a human with many facets, is what many people are now in need …

EAST Clare Musical Society make a welcome return to the stage, later this month, after the Covid shutdown.  “This Easter we have eggsactly the treat that audiences, starved of musical theatre for two years, require,” said Eoin O’Hagan. “We are delighted to announce we will stage a reprise of the cabaret special, A Night at the Musicals, in Scariff Community College on Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 15-17, with curtain up nightly at 8pm.” This hugely popular show, which sold out in February 2020, just prior to lockdown, will entertain the fans of musical theatre with solo appearances from many of the leads of previous musical performances of the East Clare Musical Society. Led by Musical Director John O’Brien with the accompaniment of Anne Cullen and Steve Lawrence, songbird Vashti Curran will come back to the stage after a very successful year-long residency performing cabaret in Germany.  Also taking to the stage are other highly talented singers, most of who …

PUBLIC consultation is underway in East Clare in relation to the enhancement of the heart of Scariff, as the town gets set for major regeneration.  Almost one-third of people who have already given feedback on the ongoing project favour the removal of the area’s traditional cobblestones, while a significant number believe more parking is also needed.  The town is set for major rejuvenation following the awarding of €524,000 by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The allocation will go towards the provision of a long-awaited new public car park, an enterprise hub and the enhancement of the Market Square. The current consultation process, which will run until April 4, will feed into the the future of the historic Square and the works to be delivered under the current tranche of funding.   Last year, a number of enhancement options were commissioned by Scariff Town Team in partnership with Scariff Community Council, and funded by Clare County County, Clare Local …

THE highly popular seed swapping events return to Scariff on Sunday next (March 6), offering an opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to the promotion of biodiversity.  A Community Seed Exchange will be hosted by Irish Seed Savers at its leafy gardens in Capparoe. The event will run over two time-slots, starting at 12pm and again at 2pm, and will present the chance to for individuals, families, gardening and community groups to come together to share and swap seeds. Those intending to join are invited to bring any spare or saved seeds to share and swap with other growers. From the rare to the everyday varieties all kinds of seeds are welcome. This event will help promote biodiversity and, through the sharing seeds, a more resilient food system is created. Irish Seed Savers is delighted to be able to open to in-person visits and events, after the restrictions that the pandemic brought. “The past two years have really highlighted …