Tag Archives: shannon

Shannon Airport is running an initiative which it launched on World Kindness Day (last Saturday, November 13) to acknowledge its customers who have shown kindness in their communities. Services to 19 destinations are currently operating from Shannon International Airport and the airport is asking people to nominate a passenger flying into or out of Shannon any time between up until November 27 for a special surprise. “If you know of someone who has shown kindness to others, be it through volunteering, being a community leader, or going the extra mile to help someone out, then we would love to hear from you. People have been through so much during the past 20 months and while Covid-19 has taken its toll on all of us, the spirit of human kindness is still alive and well. That’s why we would like to surprise some deserving people with a small token of appreciation for their efforts,” says Niall Maloney, Head of Operations and …

Challenges of litter, wandering fairy doors and aged signs all taken in stride of community volunteers, says report SHANNON received 320 marks from a possible 470 in this year’s Tidy Towns contest, winning a lot of praise from the judges. The adjudicators report on the town said, “A really sterling effort from Shannon here this year. You’ve shown how well a community can deal with setbacks and not just Covid-19. You take litter, wandering fairy doors and aged signs in your stride. Thanks for all the time and effort. “Not just for your entry but for the massive amount that you are clearly doing for Shannon. Well done.” It said that there has been a lot of support for the Tidy Towns effort locally. “We are very impressed with the level of commitment we are seeing from Shannon. It’s clear that you are providing a very worthwhile volunteering experience for many of your residents. You are well supported by a …

WOODHAVEN Developments has been granted planning permission for 48 houses in Smithstown, despite a number of objections, including one from a landmark local business Treacy’s Oakwood Hotel. The group now has the green light for 48 houses, 40 of them two-storey, with eight bungalows. In its submission to the Council, Treacy’s Oakwood said, “While not averse to development of the subject lands, the primary concern of Treacy’s Hotel Group is the potential for the proposed development to impact on the current operation of the hotel with particular reference to night time use and functions. “The hotel function room and associated use for weddings and functions has the potential to impact on future residents via noise associated with the general use of the hotel for night time activities.” These include the movement of people to and from the function room, music/bands from the function room and general noise from the smoking area. “It is noted that every endeavour is made by …

THE parent group of Lufthansa Shannon has reported a drop in profits, which it largely attributes to challenges presented by Covid-19. One of the Shannon operations returned a profit, however, and government subsidies were instrumental in keeping the business going. Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland Holdings Limited (of which Lufthansa Technik Turbine Shannon Limited and Lufthansa Technik Shannon Limited are part) 2020 accounts, stated that it remained profitable in 2020, but the amount was down on 2019. “The group reported a profit for the financial year amounting to US$33.9 million (2019: US$56.8 million) and net assets at the end of the financial year of US$602.4 million (2019: US$565.3 million).” It added that there had been a reduction in turnover of 13% (2019: increase of 3%) and a sharp decline in profit before interest and tax on the previous year to US$41.2 million (2019: slight increase to US$66.4 million). Lufthansa Technik Shannon specialises in the overhaul of aircraft, and this sector was …

THE Ennis 2040 plan shows a pathway forward for the county town, but in Clare’s second largest town there has been a feeling in recent years that it is far from a priority. Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan represents Shannon and she said while a new masterplan is being created for the town, it does seem like Ennis is receiving far more care and attention. “The population in Shannon is stagnant for a long time and there’s nothing to draw people in,” she said. While there have been complaints for years that a conventional streetscape hasn’t been developed, she also has concerns about the local housing situation. “Housing is a huge issue in Shannon. There are loads of companies and where are their staff to live? It could discourage companies from coming in if there aren’t houses there for their workers. That’s a big issue.” She said that what new houses have been built in Shannon have been left without …

FOR the first time since the pandemic struck, the Adoration Chapel in the Town Centre has reopened. Parish priest Father Arnold Rosney said that it had been a long spell of closure. “It has been closed since Covid started in March of 2020. We had no choice but to close it. “Even when the country reopened we weren’t in a position to reopen it because the room is quite small. Sadly we had to suspend morning mass there, which was upsetting for many people, but we had no choice.” He said it is great to be able to open the doors once again. “We’re thrilled to be able to open it today. What we’re doing is opening it from 2-5pm from Monday to Friday, for private prayer to begin with. Then, all going well, from December, we’re hoping to have Adoration resuming. “That would mean that people who were normally on the roster or new people, can sign up for …

ZOOM kept the Shannon Toastmasters club running for 18 months, but its last few meetings have been in person once again, writes Owen Ryan. Of course the meetings now are quite different to the spring of 2020. “It’s a big change, we’re doing the same things, but we have to be conscious of social distancing so our chairs are more spread out and there’s mask wearing,” says President Maura Meaney. “You have to think of all that, but we have the same format of meetings.” The club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month and Maura says the members adapted very quickly to the pandemic. “We went online straight away once the first lockdown came in. It was a big change for everybody, and it kept the club going and alive, but people were more than happy to go back to in person meetings. “There’s a better buzz about it, a better connection between people. Even just …

THE pandemic had a major impact on Element Six’s finances last year, according to newly filed accounts, writes Owen Ryan. After-tax profits at the industrial diamond company fell from $19.8m in 2019 to $4.8m in 2020. The Director’s Report accompanying the accounts references uncertainties in the market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Revenue fell by 28% year on year, primarily driven by reduced demand as a result of Covid-19, while it also had to settle a patent infringement case. Summing up the financial performance the document stated, “The profit on ordinary activities before taxation amounted to $5,224,000 (2019: $21,535,000). A profit after tax of $4,806,000 (2019: $19,805,000) was taken to reserves. There were no dividends paid or received in the financial year.” It said that production had been able to continue throughout the pandemic. “Covid-19 still presents uncertainties to future forecasts and budgets which may impact the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. “However, throughout 2020 and into …