Tag Archives: Spanish point

A WEST Clare pharmacy owner will appear in the circuit court in relation to charges of the alleged unlawful possession of veterinary medicine. Marie Kelly of Westpark, Spanish Point is charged with being in possession of animal remedies where the respective labels on the products were altered without the required authorisation from the Irish Medicine Board. Ms Kelly and her firm, Esterville Ltd of Main Street, Miltown Malbay, face a total of 29 separate charges relating to animal pharmaceutical products and subsequent breaches of EU regulations concerning the supply and administration of those products. The charges were brought following an investigation by the Department of Agriculture’s Special Investigation Unit. State solicitor, Martin Linnane outlined that the DPP had agreed that the accused, as a director of Esterville Ltd, could be sent forward for trial to the circuit court, an order approved by Judge Marian O’Leary. Ms Kelly is charged with being in possession of a number of animal remedies, including …

Gardaí have issued an appeal for information on the movements of two Japanese tourists, for whom a land and sea search in ongoing in Kilkee. Eiji Takagi (63) and Ushio Azaki (61) checked out of their hotel in Spanish Point on Saturday morning and have not been seen since. The alarm was raised on Tuesday after their red Hyundai hired car was spotted in Kilkee, still in the same place where it had been parked a couple of days earlier. Concerns were heightened when it was established that they did not turn up for a flight from Shannon on Monday. A search was initiated along the northern section of Kilkee Bay on Tuesday evening but discontinued as darkness fell. The search resumed on Wednesday but was hampered by rough seas in the morning. The search resumed yet again in the afternoon and was called off when light faded. It is understood that the search on the shore and in the …

CLARE County Council are to upgrade or provide toilet and changing facilities at Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point beaches, following criticism of the current “disgraceful” facilities. However, Councillor Ann Norton, who called for a survey of the toilet and changing facilities at council-owned or council-run amenity sites, said she was in Doolin to see the new pier recently and was “aghast” at the state of the facilities on offer to the public there. The Ennis councillor was also concerned over accessibility for impaired mobility users and asked where access to such facilities is deemed inadequate, that a programme be put in place for their upgrade. “Tourism in Clare is a huge part of generating revenue and to be able to bring tourism into Clare, we have to have good facilities. We have a beautiful scenic coastline and have so much to offer people but, I have to say, unfortunately the amenities and the changing facilities really need a lot of …

Clare County Council has admitted that current sea defences in Quilty, Spanish Point and the White Strand Beach in Miltown Malbay are not sufficient to deal with a repeat of the adverse flooding in early 2014. At this week’s West Clare District meeting, Councillor Michael Hillery asked that the council “would present a progress report on the coastal protection works” at the the three locations. “The existing sea defences at all three areas are inadequate to withstand a similar storm to that of January 2014 again. To that end, funding is approved for by the Office of Public Works (OPW) for a single coastal erosion and flood risk management study for the section of coast from Quilty to Milltown Malbay, with particular focus on each of the three locations – Quilty, Spanish Point and Whitestrand,” council engineer Stephen Lahiffe explained in a written reply. “The scope of the consultant’s study must accord with the OPW’s guidance for such studies. Standard …

An Taisce has awarded a record nine prestigious International Blue Flag to County Clare’s beaches, as well as two Green Coast Awards. The Blue Flag award is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to more than 80 beaches and a small number of marinas in Ireland.   The award represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management and safety, services and facilities. The Flags were presented  by Alan Kelly TD. Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government, at a ceremony held at Ballinskelligs Beach in Kerry. Blue Flags were awarded to Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggernan, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Speaking following the award ceremony, Councillor John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, expressed his delighted that Clare had for the first time been awarded 9 blue flags, as well as Green Coast Awards for beaches at Bishops Quarter at Ballyvaughan and Seafield, Quilty. Councillor Crowe also noted the significance of Clare’s …

The Duchess of Cornwall will be sampling food produced by a West Clare seaweed harvesting company during her visit to Galway on Tuesday afternoon next. Wild Irish Sea Veg , a small family run business operating from Caherush, between Quilty and Spanish Point, has been chosen by the Royal Family as one of seven Irish food companies to meet Camilla at a private showcasing in the City of the Tribes. “This is a huge honour for our company; it will give our products and company a great boost,” said Evan Talty. “We had to keep quite about this up to now but we’re delighted we can at last share the good news. Not only is it good for us, but it is a positive for West Clare.” From small beginnings in 2009, Wild Irish Sea Veg has developed into a sophisticated operation. It began exporting in 2012 and now has markets in Britain and 14 other countries on the Continent. Evan, …

A COMBINATION of good weather, the Wild Atlantic Way and a public holiday saw huge numbers of people flock to the Clare coast at the weekend. Tourism providers across the county are reporting one of the busiest Easter weekends in recent years. One prominent hotelier said it was “more like August than April”, which meant that seasonal staff could be hired over a month earlier than usual. Attractions across the county also recorded high visitor numbers, with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Bunratty Folk Park and Craggaunowen all recording increases this year compared to last. “It was a super weekend,” John Burke from the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point and Hotel Doolin stated. “We had a surge in customer numbers. People just want to flock to the coast to cool down and it was great to see it pick up so early in the season. It has allowed us to recruit earlier in the year. Normally, seasonal staff wouldn’t …

The death has occurred of Dr Maeve Hillery, the widow of former President of Ireland, Dr Patrick J Hillery. The president, Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach, Enda Kenny have led many tributes to Dr Hillery. Dr Hillery, aged 91, passed away peacefully at her Dublin home the weekend. She married Patrick Hillery in 1955, having met while studying in University College Dublin. She was well-known in Clare, especially West Clare where she and her husband holidayed in the family home in Spanish Point. Patrick Hillery was the sixth president of Ireland, holding the position from 1976 to 1990, having previously being Ireland’s first European Commissioner. He also held cabinet positions in Fianna Fáil governments. Dr Hillery will repose at her home this evening (Monday) and a funeral mass will be held at noon on Tuesday at St Fintan’s Church in Sutton, Dublin. She will be buried afterwards at St Fintan’s Cemetery. Dr Hillery is s survived by her son, John; …