Tag Archives: Tuamgraney

STATE-OF-THE ART new facilities are to come on stream at Raheen Community Hospital by the middle of next year, according to Clare’s Independent TD. Scariff’s Deputy Michael McNamara told The Champion he has received confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that the proposed new build ward extension at the Tuamgraney facility will be fully operational during the second quarter of 2022. “The first phase of the works commenced in March and involved the relocation of the existing plant and boiler house which was sited on the footprint of the new build,” he said. “The HSE has informed me that these works have been completed and that work on the 420m2 extension to the new build is underway.” The additional unit will involve a number of new long-stay facilities. “The project includes the provision of seven long-stay replacement beds as part of an extension which will reduce the density of beds in the long stay wards and address deficiencies identified …

A BID to create housing for older members of a religious community in Tuamgraney has hit a hitch, with planners seeking further details on a number of aspects of the project, writes Fiona McGarry. At the end of June, The Christian Community lodged an application to update their existing facilities at Drewsborough, and to create 12 new accommodation units. While planners had initially indicated an August decision date was possible, they have now asked for detailed Further Information (FI) on several aspects of the proposals. According to a design statement submitted with the application, the existing Christian Community Centre is made up of a chapel, priest’s house, visitor accommodation, therapy rooms and associated services. The proposed project would involve the demolition of part of an existing building, the extension of an existing chapel and the creation of an accommodation block. In relation to the physical design, the application noted that, “The core of the design revolves around community and it …

SPEEDING traffic is causing concern on the approach roads to the village of Tuamgraney, last month’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District has heard. The matter was raised by Councillor Pat Hayes who asked that new traffic calming measures be put in place “as present measures are not fulfilling their requirements”. The Fianna Fáil member outlined his concerns for the safety of residents with the increase in traffic over the summer period. “Many people are using the new path from Killaloe to Scariff,” he noted. “It’s around St Cronan’s Church in particular that you realise how much speed there is and how it’s creating a danger to residents. There’s speeding on all roads approaching Tuamgraney, but particularly on the road from Killaloe. The signage is helpful, but it’s not solving the problem.” Councillor Hayes asked that solutions be investigated, potentially with a view to securing a funding allocation for works. “Speeding starts at the hill at Raheen, he outlined. “There …

PLANS for housing for older members of a religious community in Tuamgraney are being considered by Clare County Council. At the end of last month, The Christian Community lodged an application to update their existing facilities at Drewsborough and to create 12 new accommodation units. On its website (Thechristiancommunityireland.net), The Christian Community, a registered charity, describes itself as a “religious renewal movement”, which was founded in Europe in the years following World War I and came to Ireland in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Currently, weekly and monthly services are held in Tuamgraney and in the Kilkenny area. According to a design statement submitted with the application, the existing Christian Community Centre is made up of a chapel, priest’s house, visitor accommodation, therapy rooms and associated services. “The existing chapel does not meet the needs of the community/congregation,” the statement outlined, “and the building is in need of major repairs and maintenance”. The statement also described “an acute need identified in …

CLARITY on a schedule of works for footpaths in East Clare has been sought by Councillor Joe Cooney. Addressing the most recent monthly meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, the Fine Gael member called on the local authority to outline the footpaths programme for 2021. “We don’t know yet the housing developments which are to have their paths fixed this year,” he outlined. “In some cases, the estates are between 40 and 60 years old. Many of them have paths which need upgrading. I have previously invested my General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding and I would have no problem doing it again,” said Councillor Cooney. “I’m thinking of the likes of Beechwood Lawn in Bodyke and areas in O’Callaghan’s Mills and Hillcrest Grove in Kilkishen.” Councillor Cooney also asked whether the walking trail from Killaloe will be connected to Tuamgraney. “There is a section still to be done as you come down the hill from Raheen. I’m aware that funding …

CLARITY on a schedule of works for footpaths in East Clare has been sought by Councillor Joe Cooney. Addressing the most recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, the Fine Gael member called on the local authority to outline the footpaths programme for 2021. “We don’t know yet the housing developments which are to have their paths fixed this year,” he outlined. “In some cases, the estates are between 40 and 60 years old. Many of them have paths which need upgrading. I have previously invested my General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding and I would have no problem doing it again. I’m thinking of the likes of Beechwood Lawn in Bodyke and areas in O’Callaghan’s Mills and Hillcrest Grove in Kilkishen.” Councillor Cooney also asked whether the walking trail from Killaloe will be connected to Tuamgraney. “Fantastic work has already been done,” he noted. “There is a section still to be done as you come down the hill from Raheen. …

A POPULAR walking route in the Tuamgraney area will be surveyed by the local authority, following concerns over the condition of the footpath. The matter was the subject of a motion from Councillor Pat Burke at the Killaloe Municipal District meeting who raised concerns about the section between Niland’s Filling Station and Nuala’s Restaurant. “I have had a number of representations on this from people in Tuamgraney,” he said. “It is one of the busiest paths in the area. People drive to Scariff and then park up and walk to Tuamgraney. The route is lit and people are out regularly in their high-vis vests. “I thought it was in relatively good condition until I walked it and saw sections which need repair.” Cathaoirleach, Councillor Pat Hayes noted that the area has been a popular walking route for some time. He welcomed an allocation of €28,000 for flooding in front of Scariff Community College. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer …

TUAMGRANEY native Edna O’Brien is to be awarded France’s highest cultural honour on the eve of International Women’s Day next Monday. The multi-award winning novelist  will be named Commander of the Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the French culture minister, Roselyne Bachelot. The online ceremony will be also attended by Irish culture minister Catherine Martin, actor Gabriel Byrne and writer Colum McCann. The French Embassy in Ireland said the honour is being made in recognition of “the struggle of a committed feminist who offered a voice to women around the world”. The citation also described Ms O’Brien as “one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century”. The Commander of the Ordre des Arts et Lettres is France’s highest cultural distinction and Ms O’Brien will join previous Irish recipients, Bono and the late Séamus Heaney. The Clare author previously made French literary history in 2019 when she was awarded the prestigious Prix Femina and became the first ever non-national to …