Tag Archives: Tulla

DERELICTION in the centre of Tulla has put the spotlight on the way the town is developing, with one public representative saying the Council is being accused of destroying it, writes Fiona McGarry. There have been long-standing concerns about urban decay in sections of the centre of Tulla at a time when housing development on the outskirts is increasing. The problem came to a head early this year when the local authority was forced to serve a Dangerous Structures Notice on the owners of an empty building in the heart of the town. A section of the footpath on Main Street was closed, in the interests of public safety, and a traffic management system put in place. After several months of attempted negotiations with the owners, and delays created by the closure of the construction sector during lockdown, the authorities have now moved to offer one final chance before stepping in to undertake the necessary works themselves. The matter was …

Councillor says more proactive approach would help tackle dereliction REMEDIAL work to a dangerous building on Main Street in Tulla is expected to begin at the start of July, prompting hopes that disruption for pedestrians and motorists will come to an end in a matter of weeks. In April, Clare County Council issued a ‘Dangerous Structures Notice’ to the owner of the vacant building, ordering them to address safety concerns. The authority closed off a section of the footpath and put a temporary traffic management system in place in the interests of public safety. The arrangement has been the source of considerable annoyance locally, particularly as the matter continued to drag on into the summer. “People are very put out about this,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “They’re particularly annoyed at the fact the situation has been allowed to continue for so long. “You have (heavy goods vehicles) HGVs coming through town, from the Gort side, to do their essential deliveries …

CONDITIONAL permission has been given for a new eight-home development on the outskirts of Tulla, on a site opening onto the R462 The estate, to be made up of detached, two-storey homes, has been given the green light by the local authority, subject to 20 conditions. Among these is the requirement for an agreement to be drawn up preventing purchase of the homes, for a specified time, by any “corporate entity”. According to the Council, this is to ensure “adequate choice and supply of housing, including affordable housing, in the common good”. Developers, DRM Construction, must also ensure that open spaces are “developed for, and devoted to public use”, and kept free of development. Other conditions relate to street layout, public lighting, external finishes, the estate name, visual amenity and storm water drainage. Under the Development Contribution Scheme, the Council has levied a charge of €44,392. A cash security bond of €40,000 has also been applied. While the application was …

THIRTEEN children with additional needs from Broadford, Tulla and Sixmilebridge, thoroughly enjoyed a six-week inclusive athletics programme in Tulla. That’s the verdict from one of the coaches and child psychologist, Louise Fitzsimons, following the completion of the pilot project on Saturday, which was facilitated by Tulla Athletics’ Club and Clare sports inclusion disability officer, James Murrihy. Other coaches included Sarah Shally, teacher for the early intervention ASD class in Stonehall National School, Antonio Raffa, Sixmilebridge, who is heavily involved in athletics, Lucy Hughes, Michelle Greene, and Kelly Ann Brady, primary school teacher. Ms Fitzsimons said the coaches and volunteers have learned a lot over the six weeks about how to organise sessions and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in getting used to different activities that suits their own particular needs. It is hoped to continue with more sessions during the summer with a review in August. “All children will not transition quickly or easily to the main athletics …

A TULLA priest is “privileged” and “humbled” to become the new Bishop-elect of Ferns to replace Bishop Brennan following his retirement. In bis first address as Bishop of Ferns, Ger Nash said he is privileged to be be chosen by Pope Francis to lead this historic Diocese. The former Killaloe Diocese part-time secretary thanked His Excellency, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, for leading the celebration of the Eucharist, as well as his kind support and detailed preparations for this announcement. In 2010, Fr Nash moved to Crusheen and six years later, took on the role of pastoral development director. His links to Ferns Diocese is principally through the Ferns students who were classmates in Maynooth. Father John Carroll, Diocesan Secretary, has been a source of both welcome and help over the past week to Bishop Nash and whose deep knowledge of the Diocese he know he will draw on frequently during the coming years. He also …

‘DON’T drink and drive’ is the timely message from the TY3 class at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla. Looking ahead to the situation at packed beaches, lakes and rivers around the county, they undertook a Young Social Innovators (YSI) campaign to highlight the role of alcohol in water-based incidents. The team’s research found one-third of drowning deaths annual are related to alcohol. The project is supported by Clare County Council, the RNLI and Irish Water Safety. “We are going to spread our message about the dangers of drinking and swimming in  Lahinch, Kilkee and all along the coast this summer so watch out for our posters coming into the summer,” the team said.

SCHOOLMATES of the late Tulla teenager, Labhaoise Fitzgerald, have raised €10,000 for one of her favourite charities, Barretstown. The 17-year-old passed away in January after a six-year battle with an aggressive brain tumour. The pandemic restrictions in place at the time of Labhaoise’s passing meant fellow students at St Joseph’s Secondary School were unable to fully pay their respects to someone who was hugely popular and highly regarded. When they returned to school in March, they set about a virtual mountain climb in her memory and to support a charity for which Labhaoise was a passionate advocate right up to her final days. “The whole school was involved and really wanted to carry on Labhaoise’s message,” explained class teacher, Donna Fitzgerald. “We set a target of €3,000 and it’s an incredible feeling to have raised more than three times that. Different classes and the staff chose a mountain and had to clock up the steps it would take to climb …

GARDAÍ have seized over €22,000 of suspected cannabis in the Tulla area following a search by the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit at around 5pm on, Tuesday, May 24, 2021. During the course of the search Gardaí discovered a quantity suspected cannabis plants, at various stages of growth, with a street value of €21,600. The plants were located in a greenhouse on the property. Gardaí also seized €1,000 of suspected cannabis herb. The suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Ennis Garda Station. He was later released from custody and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.