Month: July 2007

PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council to develop a centre for the Irish World Academy of Mu- sic and Dance.

The academy — which is part of the University of Limerick (UL) campus — is to form part of the campus that now is located near SOE Teen mm rele northern shores of the Shannon in south-east OE

The accom- modation is to include two performance theatres, music practice rooms, computer and research suites,

Me supported

by studio class-

rooms, academic and administration offices.

The academy, formerly known as the Irish World Music Centre, offers a suite of taught MA courses and a BA and graduate diploma in music and dance related subject areas.

The academy has an international reputation and a report on the acade-

my concluded, “The visionary nature of the centre reinforces the vital con- tribution that song, music and dance make to communities locally as well as internationally.”

The move to construct the academy further increased UL’s foothold on the Clare side of the River Shannon.

Five years ago, the college se- cured planning permission for the first phase of its ambitious plans in Clare when it received the go-ahead for a student village for 500 students.

The develop- ment also includ- ed the provision of a bridge across the River Shan- Wteyee

Also included in the masterplan

for the 100-acre site was a health and science building and three research institutes.

A decision is expected on the latest planning application later this year.

AN EAST Clare-based company has lodged plans for a wind farm which would supply up to half of the com- pany’s energy costs.

Its planning application to Clare County Council states that Olympus Diagnostica is “seeking a solution which would meet a portion 40-50 per cent of our electrical base load using alternative energy”.

The height of the proposed turbine is 200 ft high. The company points out that this is “half the size of the industry norm”.

The company states that it will con- sume all the energy from the wind turbine and that “there is no need for a grid connection”. It points out that “the proposal doesn’t lie within any recognised flight path of the Whoop- er Swan and the Greenland White Fronted Goose”’.

The company based near O’Callaghan’s Mills covers a broad spectrum of needs ranging from mi- croscope systems for life and mate- rial science, to high-performance analytical systems and reagents for clinical laboratories. It serves most- ly large and medium size hospitals, commercial clinical laboratories and blood banks.

In a submission lodged with the plan, the company states: “The ra- tionale for this project has its roots

in spiralling energy costs which are set by international markets and impact severely for two reasons: the wide fluctuation in energy costs which make financial planning more difficult and the underlying trend is upwards.”

Stressing its adherence to “Corpo- rate Social Responsibility”, Olympus points out that it has already reduced its greenhouse emissions by putting in place a wood chip burner instead of oil, so also creating a locally-based market for wood-chip.

The company states that the noise emissions from the wind-turbine would be lower than similar sized turbines. It suggests that the Clare County Development Plan has deemed the location “a suitable area for wind energy’ and doesn’t have any scenic or environmentally sensi- tive designations.”

The company also states that it has held a number of local meetings and has relocated the wind-turbine from its original location in response to lo- cal concerns. A second public meet- ing was held, although residents to the north east of the site stated that the new option would have a greater visual impact on them. However, the submission points out that this site 1s the last option open to Olympus that would allow the company comply fully with all the planning regula- tions.

THE HSE has this week announced that a 15-station satellite dialysis unit for the Midwest will be up and run- ning within the next six months.

The unit is a response to what the Irish Kidney Association has de- scribed as a crisis in the dialysis Service.

The Haemodialysis Unit at the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick has been unable to take any new pa- tients for the last number of months due to overcrowding.

Renal patients were instead sent to Tullamore, Tralee and Galway.

This week the HSE said that it had been working to provide the addi- tional capacity needed to enable pa- tients receive their dialysis as near as possible to their homes.

As part of that work a short term, 15-station satellite dialysis unit has been commissioned for Limerick.

A tender competition was held for the provision of the unit and the suc- cessful company has been notified within the last week.

The new facility is expected to

be operational within the next six months, according to the HSE.

Patients treated in the satellite unit will remain under the care of the referring consultant and multidisci- plinary team from the regional hos- pital.

SU ilem eR Sa seme slepeeComKen one Busnr-)| patients to Galway in the interim.

‘As a further measure and because of the urgent needs of this area in the Short term, the HSE has entered into a further contract with a dialysis pro- vider in Galway which will be able to accept mid-west patients imme-

diately and will help to avoid more protracted travel times for mid-west patients to Dublin and elsewhere,” a HSE spokespersons said.

“While we regret the inconven- lence that this travel imposes on some patients in the short term, we are confident that it will provide sig- nificant relief for the particular pa- tients affected while we are working on achieving self-sufficiency for the region over the next six months.”

‘Because of the urgent need for ad- ditional capacity the HSE has also funded a home dialysis programme

for medically suitable patients in the Limerick area as an alternative to hospital dialysis.”

As part of its long term plan the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick is currently developing a capital plan for an extension, which will expand the existing dialysis unit in Doora- doyle to 25 stations.

Each year in Ireland about 170 peo- ple reach the “end-stage” of renal failure and need treatment to replace their non-functioning kidneys. Ap- proximately 30 Clare people require dialysis three times a week.

AN BORD Pleanala has overturned a ruling by its own inspectors and Clare County Council to give the go- ahead for a contentious holiday home development near Lahinch.

Last year, Clare County Council re- fused permission on grounds linked to the famous west Clare railway that has been defunct for over 40 years.

Tom O’Keeffe of Roslevan, Ennis had lodged plans with the council to construct 20 holiday homes at Creg,

Lahinch with the plan later being re- duced to 12.

However, the council refused plan- ning permission on three grounds including that a number of the homes would be built over the line of the west Clare railway.

The North Clare Area Plan 2005 states that developments should only be allowed on or adjacent to the west Clare railway which will not conflict with or restrict the recreational po- tential of the line.

In his appeal, Mr O’Keeffe point-

ed out that the railway bridge to the south-east was removed presumably by the council some 40 or 50 years ago and that over the years, the west Clare railway has been ploughed out across the subject site and was not now visible except for the bridge abutment and a small area adjacent to it.

The west Clare railway — immortal- ised in song by Percy French — was closed by the Government in 196] with the 27-mile line from Ennis to Miltown Malbay losing £23,000 per

annum.

However, the council’s view was endorsed by the board inspector who recommended refusal on four sepa- rate grounds with one of those re- lated to the preservation of the west Eee eee

The inspector was overruled, An Bord Pleanala recommending instead that planning permission be granted as the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicin- ity, would be acceptable in terms of

traffic safety and convenience and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sus- tainable development of the area.

The board explained, “In deciding not to accept the inspector’s recom- mendation to refuse permission, the board took account of the zoning of the site, the final design and the in- formation received in response to the section 132 notice.”

The board also ruled out one home that was located across the route of the west Clare railway.

CLARE had a strong representation at this year’s Lancome Irish Girls Close Championships that went ahead at Ballinasloe last week.

Day one opened on Wednesday and conditions proved blustery and windy throughout the course.

Renowned competitor Sarah Cun- ningham of Ennis enjoyed a suc- cessful opening round and advanced to the next phase of the tournament playing some solid golf.

Ciara Pender, also of Ennis, had a very memorable day and holed out

on the difficult par three eighth on her way to victory over Tara Grib- ben. There weren’t too many surpris- es on Wednesday, but unfortunately from a Clare point of view, Diandra O’Connell, who travelled to the Gal- way course in fine form and full of hope, was beaten by Zarah O’Reilly.

As the week wore on, Sarah Cun- ningham was the only Clare repre- sentative to make it to the semi final stage but she was pipped on the third play off hole. It was Kate Gallagher who put an end to Cunningham’s challenge and she went on to take the top prize.

THE SOUTH East Clare show is now considered to be one of the top ten agricultural shows in Ireland and the 17th annual show at the weekend didn’t let the side down.

With 24 classes in the horse show event this year, 27 classes in the cat- tle section and 13 classes in the dog show, none of the four legged friends felt left out.

The home industries section was a major attraction as always, with the collective talents of the bakers, pre- serve makers and flower arrangers

of South East Clare making a lovely spread and a delicious task for the judges.

New to the show this year was the vintage classic cars day out, which was a big attraction.

As well as a festival atmosphere, there was the Best Dressed Lady competition, the Little Miss, the Bonny Baby and the Fancy Dress competitions.

Show Chairman, Pat Hayes thanked everyone involved in organising or helping on the day, particularly the landowners and main sponsor Tom Marsh.

CRUEL pet owners took dumping to a new extreme when they flung a Iit- ter of kittens into a recycling bin.

The tiny creatures were only saved from their fate when their desperate cries were heard by a pub manager who went to investigate and found them dumped among the cardboard boxes.

Tailrace Bar manager John Ryan said the dumping of the helpless kit- tens was “the last straw” in the Par- teen pub owner’s decision to install concealed CCTV cameras to catch people dumping every kind of rub- bish at the recycling bins in the car- park.

“It was pouring rain and they were soaked through. I’d say they were about four weeks old. If they had been left there, they would have cer- tainly been killed by dogs or foxes or, if they had escaped that, they would have died of cold or starved. I can’t understand how someone could do that, just dump live animals and walk away.”

Animal welfare concerns have con- firmed that if the person or people who dumped the kittens is found, they will be facing prosecution for cruelty to animals as well as a litter- ing fine.

John and his staff at the pub adopt- ed the three tiny kittens and fed them baby formula until they had fully recovered from their ordeal before finding kind homes for them.

“We christened them all ‘Lucky’ because that’s what they were,” said John.

‘When they recovered, they took to following us around, bawling up at us for food. It was a heartless thing to do to dump them.”

The serious issue of dumping has plagued John and pub-owner, Ger Mulconry.

“People dump bags of household rubbish that have nothing to do with recycling or they bring their bottles but throw down the boxes and bags the bottles came in. We’re constantly filling our own bins that we have to pay to have collected with the rub- bish people dump there.”

As well as household rubbish, bags, boxes and now live kittens, John has also had to pick up dead dogs.

But footage from the hidden TV cameras — which can cover the whole car park — could be used to prosecute dumpers who don’t respect the facility.

“It’s what has to happen — that or the whole thing will have to go be- cause we’re picking up after people every day,” said John.

PHILIP O’Reilly, Property Plus has taken on a 2,300 sq. ft. family home, located at Claremount, Clarecastle, guiding at €600,000.Approximately 1.5 km from Clarecastle village and just two km from the Ennis bypass link, this property, which occupies a 0.6 acre site, would make a perfect family home.

The internal accommodation com- prises a very spacious entrance hall- way, with understairs storage and direct access to the family room, reception and kitchen/dining rooms. The reception room has solid yellow birch, polished wooden flooring a bay window overlooking the landscaped

front garden and a large picture win- dow overlooking the rear gardens, there are also sliding double patio doors on the gable end overlooking surrounding countryside.

The kitchen/dining room has ce- ramic flooring, solid white oak wall, base and display fitted units with laminate work surfaces and ceramic tiled splash backs. There’s an inte- erated fridge/freezer and dishwash- er, electric double oven and ceramic hob. There is access from the kitchen to the family room, the utility and the attached garage. Meanwhile the dining room has double sliding patio doors leading to a large flagged patio area and the rear garden.

The formal dining room has solid

wooden flooring, ceiling coving, a corner feature fireplace with gran- ite base and wooden surround a bay window overlooking the front gar- den. Also on the ground floor is a well fitted utility room, a guest WC, and a garage (which could have al- ternative use as a home office or play room).

Upstairs, there are four large bed- rooms and the family bathroom. The master bedroom is en suite and all four bedrooms have fitted ward- robes.

Outside, there’s a large patio area to the rear, with countryside views.

For full details contact 065 6844448.

BUSINESSES in north and west Clare stand to lose millions in rev- enue due to bad weather over the summer periods.

Expert insiders claim that tourism numbers have already dropped by as much as 25 per cent in coastal areas this year, while numbers in Ennis and Shannon are reportedly on a par

to last year’s figures.

‘The impact could be as much as 25 per cent year-on-year. The de- crease is in the domestic market, the people have just not been coming,” said Michael Vaughan of Vaughan’s Lodge in Lahinch.

“It’s a problem from Kilkee right up to Lahinch, Liscannor and Bally- vaughan. It is hitting the hotels, the restaurants and the holiday homes.

In living memory, I cannot remem- ber a summer as bad as the one we are having.”

Indeed, the poor numbers holiday- ing in the west have seen a number of hotels being forced to drop their rates, despite large increases in ex- penditure due to inflation and in- creased fuel charges.

“I don’t think people are being let go yet. But extra people are not be-

ing taken on in the same way as they would in other years,’ continued Mr Vaughan.

“The CSO figures show that the people between 35 years and 45 years are not holidaying in Ireland and that is the sector who we are missing on the ground.

“It is thought that people in this age group may not be coming on holidays because of the increases in mortgage interest rates.

“I don’t think that this will have a long-term effect on the tourism product in Clare. It is an industry of swings and roundabouts, things op- erate on a cycle and will usually level themselves off over the course of a year or a few years.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Clare Tourism Forum told

WHILE the poor weather is having a direct effect on the incomes of the thousands of people in the tourism and agriculture industries in Clare, it is also having effects, both directly and indirectly, on thousands more.

Reports on the ground indicate that Clare publicans have had a slower trade than normal so far this year, but only marginally so.

“Obviously it is down a bit but noth- ing compared to places like Dingle, where they are reporting close to a

50 per cent drop. It’s down a bit but not dramatically so, and it’s nothing that could not be levelled off with a good run at the end of the year,” said Michael Martin of the Clare Vintners Association.

“All we can do is hope for four or five good weeks and see what hap- pens. We were obviously getting wor- ried in June and at the beginning of July but things are starting to pick up again.”

However, those Clare people with shares in the C&C drinks group have lost more than 20 per cent of their in-

vestment in the company as its shares have plummeted in the last month.

In excess of €500 million has been wiped off the value of the company in a matter of weeks as a result of the poor performance of its headline product, Bulmers. Bulmers, or Mag- ners in the UK, is regarded by many consumers aS a Summertime drink and sales have been hit badly as a re- sult of the poor weather.

Meanwhile, people who suffer from mental illnesses such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), are not adversely effected by poor weather

condition. SAD is a form of depres- sion brought about by the change of seasons and affects roughly three per cent or almost 4,000 people in Clare.

“From our own experience here in Clare, it does not seem that there is an increased incidence of SAD dur- ing times of bad weather,’ said Denis Creedon, Director of Nursing for the Clare Mental Health Service

“Indeed, we haven’t heard of any weather-related increase in any men- tal health issue as a result of the weather, not in Clare at least,’ Ms Sie (oy ecy-s(ee