Month: June 2008

THE current supply of parking spac- es in Ennis is adequate to meet the demands of the town, according to a new report.

The preliminary report carried out by Parking Consultants Ltd for Ennis Town Council found that of the 3,113 available parking spaces in Ennis on a Saturday, 315 were vacant. The fig- ures were determined from the total of vacant council on street parking spaces (35), council off-street park- ing (78), market spaces (42) and pri- vate car parks (160).

Liam Keilthy of Parking Consult- ants Ltd told the June meeting of Ennis Town Council that “the cur- rent supply appears adequate to meet demand on normal busy days”.

The report also outlines a number of recommendations designed to maximise the use of prime on-street parking spaces that could spell bad news for people working in the town CH NsKe

The report concludes that for busy days, special parking permit should only be allowed for residents, maxi- mum parking stay should be set at two hours and people working in the town centre should not be permitted in multi-story car parks.

“If on busy days we want to make the most of our assets, we need to release the space to shoppers,” said Mr Keilthy.

He added “I would advocate to you that if you want to manage the assets you have for the best possible benefit of customers, you need to get long

stay parkers out of the town centre.”

Mr. Keilthy said that on street parking arrangements should favour shoppers.

‘The rate payers have to be sensible about this. For a retailer it is black and white, do you want the customer in your shop or not?”

The report also recommends in- creasing parking charges to econom- ic levels.

Mr Keilthy said, “Parking is a cost of owning a car. If you look at the figures from the AA, a third of the typical cost of owning a car is taken up with parking.

‘In Ennis you have a situation in the town where one person is taking up a space for a long period and denying three to four shoppers who could be spending money in the town.”

However Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) warned, “We have a situation in En- nis where a lot of people working in the town centre. Can we really now look at putting an extra financial bur- den on young people?”

The survey also found that the number of private cars registered in Clare would top 100,000 by the year 2019.

Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra was critical, saying the Council should instead focus on pe- destrianisation in the town.

“The car is so 20th century. This flies in the face of pedestriaisation. If we do this we are inviting cars into the town. You are supplying the de- mand. If we look exclusively at car parking spaces we are not living in the real world,” he said.

THE third annual Ennis Street Festi- val was launched yesterday Monday June 23 by Mayor of Ennis Coun- cillor Tommy Brennan. The festival takes place from July 5 to 6 in Ennis town centre and features a wide pro- gramme of events.

All events over the weekend are run on a completely voluntary basis and rely on support from businesses and individuals in Clare.

Mayor Brennan said, “I am de- lighted to have the opportunity to launch the festival for 2008. I have admired the unique initiatives which the festival has undertaken over the

past three years and look forward to seeing the many visitors which the festival attracts for the weekend. The committee would like to thank all the traders in Ennis for their support in facilitating the festival”.

Ana Bella Alvarez, founder of the festival, said, “I have been delighted by the reaction from the town and the various artists involved and I’m looking forward to making the festi- val bigger and better in the future.”

She added, “The committee are very grateful for the co-operation of the town’s traders, the Town Coun- cil, Chamber of Commerce and the county’s Arts Office in help making the festival such a success”.

O’Connell Street will be pedes- triansed on Saturday, July 6, in O’Connell Street and Lower Market Street Area between 12 to 4pm on Saturday.

On Sunday the Gig Rig will kick off at Market Street Carpark from 1.00pm and will feature perform- ances from Billy, Clare Youth Cen- tre and a Traditional Music session. Other events in Market Street will include the Ennis Farmers Market and a Vintage Automobile Exhibi- tion. Sunday will continue with music from Sambarrada, Dog and String and street comedy from the West Kerry Italian Fancini Brothers. The evening concludes with a variety

of music events with the highlight a cabaret competition hosted by Mr Toons and the Fanzini Brothers in the West County Hotel. The Latin music collective Armada Latina per- form later that evening in Brandon’s.

On Saturday Ennis plays host to the 2008 International pipe band com- petition in the Showground’s Ennis. The event will bring pipers from across Ireland and further afield in- cluding USA and Scotland.

If you would like to help with the event or require further information please contact www.ennisstreetfes- tival.ccom, email ennisstreetfestiv al@eircom.net or by phoning 065 6893966.

STUDENTS at Ennis CBS have helped make Clare’s waterways safer by donating €1,155 to Clare Civil Defence.

The money was raised at a recent ‘No Uniform Day’ held at the prima- ry school, as part of its membership of the nationwide Green Schools pro- gramme, an international environ- mental education programme that promotes and acknowledges long- term, whole-school action for the environment.

The donation came as Clare Civil Defence confirmed that it was invest- ing in two new watercraft to assist it

in search, rescue and recovery opera- tions on waterways throughout the county.

“Everyone at Ennis CBS feels that Clare Civil Defence is worthy of re- ceiving the funds raised as it contin- ues to provide an invaluable service to all members of the community,’ explained Noreen Skerritt, Green Flag Programme Co-ordinator and teacher at Ennis CBS.

She pointed out that most people were unaware that Clare Civil De- fence was a volunteer-based organi- sation and that all members gave freely of their time to acquire skills that were vital to the local commu- nity in times of need.

Ms Skerritt continued, “Acquiring these skills involves many hours of training, which is why it is essential that these volunteers are provided with the necessary equipment. We are delighted, therefore, that the service has decided to invest the do- nated funds in two new kayaks.”

“The staff and students of Ennis CBS have every confidence that this investment will make an excellent organisation even better by enabling civil defence volunteers to respond to emergency situations more quickly and efficiently,’ she stated.

Liam Griffin, Clare Civil Defence Officer, said that the members of Clare Civil Defence were delighted

with the support they had received from Ennis CBS.

He added, “With that financial Support our organisation will now be in a better position to assist with other emergency services in various search/rescue and _ search/recovery Operations on the many waterways that exist throughout County Clare. We would also like to thank Ennis CBS for recognising the work our volunteer members perform within our local community.”

Students and staff of Ennis CBS this week presented a cheque for €1,155 to Liam Griffin at the Clare Civil Defence Headquarters, Quin Road, Ennis.

STUDENTS at St Joseph’s training centre have been learning about the work done by the Clare branch of the Sy Neer Dule-N eke

Members of the Samaritans recent- ly spoke at the centre at the invitation of students who were keen to learn about the services provided by the organisation.

The visit, one of many carried out by the Samaritans to different com- munity and educational groups, also inspired a fundraiser.

Last week Gerry Dobbin, Deputy Director of Outreach Services for the Samaritans and Mary Lynch, Direc- tor of the Clare and Ennis Samaritans took receipt of a cheque for €140

from Michael Molloy, John Paul Sweeney and Margaret Sweeney, from St Joseph’s.

The money was raised following a darts and cards tournament organ- ised by staff and students.

Gerry Dobbin said members of the Samaritans were delighted to be given the opportunity to speak at the centre.

“We were invited to speak about the kind of work we do, which is something we are always interested in doing with any group. For us it was great and we really welcome the interest shown in our work by St Joseph’s. We were delighted to be able to speak there and we were re- ally well received,’ said Mr Dobbin.

He added, “These kind of visits

are something we try to do as often as possible with as many different eroups and organisations as possi- ble. It gives us an opportunity to talk about the service we provide. We’re willing to go and talk to any group who are interested.”

Located in the Gort Road industrial estate, St Joseph’s training centre has developed over the years into a highly active and diverse learning environment.

Programmes on offer include an array of FETAC courses, with one group of students aiming towards a full cert in FETAC Level 4. Students and instructors involved with St Jospeh’s acclaimed coppercraft pro- gramme have, in the past, enjoyed a close association with museums in

Clare and Cork city, making copper wall hangings that reflect the Travel- ler way of life and culture.

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

CONTRACTS for Corofin’s new sewerage scheme were officially signed in north Clare last Thursday. SW tlemNO rele OULCO MA “IIMS a cmmr-y0 estimated 750 homes, represents a massive boost to the infrastructure of the area.

The €1.9 million contract was signed by Tom Carey, Director of Service and County Engineer for Clare County Council, Patricia Mc- Carthy, Mayor of Clare, and Padraig Burke of Ward and Burke Construc- tion Ltd, Galway last week.

Officials are now hopeful that work on the project, valued at €1,894,247.28 in total, will com- mence immediately.

The contract is due for completion within 12 months, by which time the local authority expects the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant design-build-operate contract to be well advanced. When completed, to- tal upgrade works on the schemes are expected to cost over €7million.

“T am delighted that this contract is beginning and look forward to the completion of the entire scheme over the next 12 to 18 months. We

are conscious of the urgency with which we need to progress the en- tire scheme,” said Tom Carey, Clare County Engineer. “Approximately 750 homes will benefit from the pro- vision of these high quality sewerage treatment facilities.”

Also present at the contract signing was Mayor of Clare Cllr Patricia Mc- Or Tad

“T look forward to the hugely 1m- proved service being put in place to facilitate the future development of Se KeyTTA MAY eNO omne (or DBD OTcMm Ua IN OMA elem Eos nificant environmental considera- tions of such infrastructure for future

generations,’ she said.

“Schemes such as this, while com- ing at a significant price to the coun- cil, are of urgent necessity given the European and national standards that we are obliged to meet.”

Contract three entails almost 3km of new and replacement foul sewer- age network and provision of almost Ikm of storm surface water sewer network as well as upgrading of 900m of watermains for the village.

The contract programme is struc- tured such that there will be minimal disruption to the village centre dur- ing the summer period.

THE Burren has dozens of new scholars and protectors this week following the graduation of children from nine primary school in the area from the Eco-Beo programme.

The programme, which is organ- ised by the BurrenBeo organisation, aims to give students and their teach- ers a unique insight into the Burren’s famous landscape and tradition.

“It was great fun. Different people came to the school and did a lot of presentation with us about the Bur- ren,’ said fifth class student from Tubber National School, Evan Fahy.

“They showed us load of pictures and slides about the Burren and we

learned so many different things about our own area. We went on field-trips and we also were paired with a school in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. We tried to teach them all about the Burren.”

Besides Tubber, students from Kin- vara, Kilnaboy, New Quay, Corofin, Kilfenora, Doorus, Kilshanny and Boston National Schools took part in this year’s programme.

“T learned a lot of thing about the place where I live. We learned a lot about the winterage for example, where the cows graze outside in the winter to help the Burren flora and fauna come up in the spring and Summer,’ said Ita O’Connor from Tubber. “The cows graze and keep

down the brush and scrub and that lets the flowers grow.”

The students also put together an award winning video inspired by their experiences. “The video looked at different ages of the Burren; start- ing at the Stone Age and the Ice Age and going right up to the present time,” said fifth class student Sibeal Hanrahan.

“We did dramitisations of the peo- ple who would have lived in the dif- ferent ages of the Burren. There was one scene where people were in Ca- herconnell cooking up some fish and another down in the Ailwee caves.”

“I’d like to be a farmer when I grow up and I’d like to farm in a way that would be good for the Burren, said

sixth class student James O’Grady.

“IT live on a farm now and I don’t think I would have to make many changes on the farm to be able to farm in a way that would help the Burren.

“T think it has thought them a great since of respect for the beautiful place in which they live,” said Tubber school principal Ann Comyn.

“T think that they all feel privi- leged to be living in such a weird and wonderful part of the country. It has developed a great since of pride of place within the children.”

AS the leaving cert comes to a close for another year, one student has more to celebrate than most after complet- ing her entire secondary education without missing a single day.

As Martina Murphy completes her leaving cert music exam at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon last Wednes- day, she also brought to a close a six year journey without missing a day.

“I don’t think I did it on purpose re- ally. I just never really had any cause to miss a day. But then I got half way

through Transition Year it kind of dawned on me so I decided to just keep going and never miss a day,” said Martina.

“I started to think about it a bit af- ter that. I got a certificate every year to mark completing the year without missing a day – so I have six of those now.”

Despite taking part in a number of extracurricular activities, Martina still managed to show a face on each and every day.

‘“T never really seemed to get sick. | eaetp rColmecLeeKomAy eh VAup Lan Lec ap NCoAV ol MB KSr DUN

seemed to be an issue for me. I guess I’m really healthy,’ she continued.

“T was in ‘Hell for Leather’, the set dancing show, and we had loads of tours around the country but I was always able to make it in. I remem- ber my grandaunt died and I went to the funeral, but I still came in in the morning for a few classes or on other days I came in for a few hours in the afternoon.

“I guess I value my education. Of course it was to see my friends as well. My friends are great. I really loved secondary school, it was so

much fun.

“I did miss a day 1n primary school. Well, one or maybe even two days in primary school, I’m not really sure. But other than that I was always in.”

With her leaving cert finished Mar- tina is hoping to extend her second level record into third level.

“Tm actually hoping to be a sec- ondary school teacher when I finish in college. The place has obviously had a good impact on me,” she con- tinued. Maybe I can go through my first few years as a secondary school teacher without missing a day?”

A NEW page in the long history of the Ennistymon Courthouse was turned last week with the appoint- ment of the gallery’s first ever pro- fessional co-ordinator.

The historic building, which came within a whisker of being demolished a number of years ago, now boasts one of Clare’s most dramatic exhibi- tion spaces as well as top quality loft studios for artists in residence

With a rich background in art and art administration, Maria Kerin from Bellharbour has been appointed as the gallery’s first professional coor- dinator.

“It’s a very interesting set-up here

because the whole thing is voluntar- ily run. This building was saved by the historical society in Ennistymon and then a number of artists moved in and gave it an artistic presence,” said Maria.

“Bit by bit they got help from Clare County Council and put together the building that we have in Ennistymon today. The amazing thing about it is that all of this has been achieved al- most totally by volunteers.”

Up until last week the day-to-day running of the gallery has been man- aged by volunteers like Catherine Comber from the historical society.

“We want this gallery to be open to all and to be an inclusive space for the whole of the locality,” continued

Maria.

‘We aim to run all of our events to he highest quality standards. There has been a wonderful sense of pro- fessionalism and respect in the way that the gallery has been run up to now. It’s very important to keep that going.

‘“Ennistymon is changing and this street is changing so we really want to get people up here. We want this space to be an integral part of En- nistymon and the community of north Clare.

“It’s not visual art, we are hoping to attract more people in to do poetry recitals and small musical events. We are looking at putting more workshops together and organising

more outreach projects with the lo- cal primary schools and secondary schools.

“We really want it to be opened up to the community. I’ve been asking local people as I meet them what they would like from their gallery space. Anyone who has any idea should re- ally feel free to get in contact – we are open to any ideas that people migfht have.”

To learn more or to get involved contact the Courthouse Gallery at 065-7071630.

RESIDENTS in the Drumgeely area of Shannon want their local hall de- molished, as it is becoming a haven for anti-social activity in its current state.

The Park Hall has been out of use for some time and locals now feel it is time that it be replaced with a new hall which would be made available

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Fine Gael Town Councillor Sean McLoughlin raised a query on the matter at a meeting of the Shannon electoral area committee last week.

He asked what the current leas- ing arrangement was and whether it could be redeveloped.

“It is an anti-social attraction. If it is derelict, it should be knocked and identify a more suitable site for a

community hall for meeting rooms. It is needed. There is no point in hav- ing it there if it is beyond repair,’ he said.

He was told, in a written response from Senior Executive Officer Michael McNamara, _ that several years ago, Shannon Development had agreed arrangements for the lease of the hall to Shannon Youth Service Council.

“The council has had no input into the operation of the facility since the transfer of the town and does not re- ceive a rent in relation to the prop- erty,” he said.

Councillor McLoughlin pointed out the council would meet with the representatives of the committee re- sponsible for the Park Hall, “to as- certain current status and seek to ad- dress any relevant issues.”

MEMORABLE paintings of the Cliffs of Moher were presented to members of the Guingamp commu- nity from France, who have just spent a week in their twin town Shannon.

The paintings, by Clare-based art- ist Sonia Schorman, were presented to Jean-Pierre Ellien, who represent- ed the mayor of Guingamp, while another painting was sent to a couple who have visited Shannon every year since the twinning was set up.

Lillian and Bernard Le Gac did not make the trip this year, as Bernard is ill, but they were not forgotten and Ms Schorman’s piece was dispatched to them in France.

Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac- Cormaic said he chose Ms Schor- man, as he was impressed by her paintings in the past.

“T picked Sonia because I had seen some of her painting and I liked it. She is also a member of our twinning association,” he said.

He said that Mr Ellien was most de- serving of his presentation.

‘He was responsible for the first twinning. He was the first person to come over here in 1989 to vet our town and the twinning took off from there,’ said Mr MacCormaic.

While the group of 30 was here, they visited several parts of Clare, including Ballyvaughan, the Cliffs of Moher and the Rock of Cashel.

They also attended receptions host- ed by the local twinning committee and Shannon Town Council.

72-year-old Ms Schorman_ was equally thrilled to have had her paint- ings commissioned for the visitors.

“T was delighted to be asked to do the paintings,’ said Ms Schorman.

Originally from Dublin, Ms Schor- man moved to Clare 30 years ago. She originally worked as a supervisor for a landscape firm and later worked at the folk park in Bunratty. She has also worked as a book sales repre- sentative, before taking up painting nine years ago.

‘After I took my pension, I started painting. I went to classes in the VEC. I never held a paint brush until my

mid-60s,” she laughed. She did the Cliffs of Moher painting by visiting the area. “What I do is go somewhere and take photographs and work from photographs and from memory. The paint brush takes over,” she said.

Ms Schorman was also responsi- ble for the establishment of the Inis artists group, seven years ago. The group has held exhibitions around the county, including a display of paintings upstairs in SkyCourt.