Month: October 2011

A MAJOR breakthrough in the teaching of the Irish language for infants has been heralded this week thanks to an innovative idea pioneered by a primary school teacher in Ennis.

Séonaidh Ní Shíomóin, who teaches in Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg on the Gort Road, is the author of a groundbreaking new series of Irish language books called Ár Scéalta which have been released by the publisher Coiscéim and distributed nationwide.

Dublin-born Ní Shíomóin has taught in Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg since 2004 and came across the idea of a series of illustrated Irish language starter book when she realised there was a gap in the market.

“It can be hard on some parents trying to help their kids read in a language they can’t understand,” Ní Shíomóin told The Clare People . “That’s why the pictures in this book are so important. The story can be understood by looking at the pictures or reading the Irish text so that child and parent can have an easy, enjoyable reading experience through Ireland’s native langauge.”

Apart from being released nationwide, the books will also be distributed in Puerto Rico in Spanish translations.

The illustrator, Karen Dietrich has vast experience in dealing with minority language childrens books, has been co-operating with Ní Shíomóin to create these vibrant and colourful children’s picture books.

This new series will be aimed at making a fun, cool and enjoyable way for children aged four to seven years to read with their parents. There will be ten books released in the first series with two more series to come.

“I got the idea for the story when I saw how much love children seem to have for their pets. The story follows a boy and his dog on some funny and whacky adventures,” she revelaed.

“This is the first series of three to be launched this week and will be available for purchase from Carroll Education Ltd. and all local bookshops,” Ní Shíomóin added.

PROJECTED figures about consumer spending and population growth in the Ennis area contained in the Mid West Retail Strategy have been described as “cuckoo”.

The criticisms were aired at a meeting organised by Ennis Chamber of Commerce to discuss the proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that the Mid West Retail Strategy, which is to be adopted under the proposed variation, had “seriously overestimated” spending levels, the impact of internet shopping and the amount of retail floor space required in Ennis over the lifetime of the plan.

According to the strategy, Cllr Flynn said, € 33 million was spent by tourists in Clare last year with € 28 million of the total figure being spent in Ennis.

Describing the figures as “absolute rubbish”, Cllr Flynn said the strategy did not take into account the impact of the economic downturn on busi- nesses in Ennis.

“They are absolute cuckoo figures on population and spend,” the Ennis town councillor added.

He said the Mid West Regional Authority, the body that drew up the strategy, had based their assumptions on 75 phone interviews.

He said the catchment area for Ennis businesses had been estimated at 53,000 people. Cllr Flynn said the strategy had been drawn up to save Limerick City.

He explained, “The information is based on assumptions and estimates that are flawed.”

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that he had seen an article in a pet industry publication concerning the problems of businesses in Ennis. “Even the dogs in the street know,” he added.

Businessman Peter Moylan (Ennis Cash Company) said there had been a steep decline in the number of tourists visiting Ennis over the past three years.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said Ennis town centre is “decaying”, adding that parking is a big issue.

THE development of a world class tourism attraction would bring more people to Ennis and offer a boost to the town centre, a meeting as heard.

That was the view of John O’Connor of Custy’s music shop who claimed the lack of a major tourist attraction is hurting Ennis. Mr O’Connor, who was a founding member of the Shannon Wings campaign that attracted 5,000 online messages of support for Shannon Airport, was speaking at public meeting in Ennis last week.

Mr O’Connor said there were sociological and economic reasons behind people’s decision to spend money at large shopping developments rather than in city / town centres.

He said that in his view the other issue affecting Ennis was the lack of a “major tourism attraction”, which he said would ensure people spend time in the town centre.

Relocating the Irish Cultural Pavillion to a two-acre site adjacent to Ennis Garda Station and the Franciscan Friary has been put forward as the type of initiative that could bring more tourists to Ennis.

The pavilion plan, which was one of the most popular attractions at Expo Park in China, was suggested by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG). Cllr Flynn recently asked Ennis Town Council to identify a suitable site in advance of making an application to locate the building and its exhibition permanently in Ennis.

According to a report by former Town Clerk Eddie Power, the site could be considered for major cultural / heritage attraction.

The report states, “The lands are zoned ‘Commercial 1 Town Centre’ in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014 as varied, where it is the policy of the council to allow for a broad range of facilities and services which fulfill a function as a focus for both the community and public transport.”

The report continues, “In this respect the lands are open to consideration to a variety of uses, residential, office, retail etc.

This would include a tourism / cultural venture having regards to the proximity of the site to the Franciscan Abbey.

“Development restriction may apply with regards to the impact any development would have on the adjacent Franciscan Abbey to the west of the site. Archaeological examination would be required,” Mr Power adds.

Mr Power states the lands are being offered for sale at a price “reflecting their commercial development”.

The report concludes that subject to issues surrounding access and traffic management being satisfactorily resolved, “it could be considered a suitable location for a major cultural heritage attraction”.

PARKING, or the lack of, is never far from the debate when the health of businesses in Ennis is being discussed. And last Tuesday’s meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Ennis and Environs Development was no exception.

The issue arose when former Mayor of Ennis, councillor Frankie Neylon (Ind), claimed he hadn’t been able to secure free parking for his ‘Super Tuesday’ initiative because the President of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, John Dillane was not in the country.

Super Tuesday took place in Ennis earlier this month. Cllr Neylon put forward the idea as a means of promoting local businesses and encouraging shoppers into the town.

Speaking in the Old Ground Hotel, Cllr Neylon claimed he had wanted parking charges to be suspended for the day. However, he said that when he raised the matter with officials at Ennis Town Council he was told a decision could not be taken because Mr Dillane was in China. This claim was immediately rejected by both Chamber Vice President Brian O’Neill and Chamber CEO Rita McInerney.

Speaking last Wednesday, Ms McInerney confirmed that while Mr Dillane had been away on holidays at the start of September, he returned to the town on September 3, three days before Super Tuesday.

She explained, “He [Mr Dillane] was never contacted about anything to do with free parking and neither was I.” Ms McInerney also confirmed that Mr Dillane had not been in China at the time. The discussion prompted further calls for changes to the system of parking charges in Ennis, which businesses say is essential to bringing more shoppers to the town centre.

Ms McInerney said the introduc- tion of free parking in Limerick city in the lead up to Christmas last year had been a “huge success”. She said councillors had already started calling on Limerick City Council to repeat the policy this year. Aoife Madden, Chairperson of Ennis Development Forum, claimed the high cost of parking is turning shoppers away from Ennis. Addressing local councillors, she said, “If ye can bring down the cost of parking it would bring the people back into town.”

THE current site of Ennis National School would be more suitable for large retail developments than a location away from the town centre, a meeting has heard.

The school is due to move from its present location on Kilrush Road to a new site at Ashline with construction work due to commence this autumn.

In addition to 32 classrooms, the building will include rooms for our reading class, special education teachers and library. The building will have an energy rating and a level of disability access, which is ahead of current regulations. Facilities for sport will include a full-size sports hall with dressing rooms and a playing pitch.

The current site was put forward as an alternative to a proposed major urban development at lands at Tobertascáin and the Limerick Road, at a meeting in Ennis last week.

Organised by Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the meeting was held to discuss a proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

Vice President of Ennis Chamber, Brian O’Neill said the Chamber favoured the development of smaller scale developments located closer to the town centre.

Mayor of Ennis Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) questioned the suitability of Ennis National School as location for a major retail development.

He said there were questions to be asked over how the site could accommodate heavy traffic flows.

Referring to the suggestion of Ennis National School, Cllr Guilfoyle said, “If you’re going to mention something, mention something that works.”

Responding to Cllr Guilfoyle’s comments, Ennis based architect and urban planner Michael Leahy, said a full assessment would have to be carried out at Ennis National School before any definitive answer could be given. Mr Leahy, who prepared Ennis Chamber’s submission on the proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, told the meeting that the possibility of constructing a shopping centre at the Ennis National site could not be ruled for traffic reasons alone.

“There are always engineering solutions to engineering problems,” he said.

Asked about other town centre locations for potential new shopping centres, Mr Leahy said Cusack Park had been mentioned as a possibility.

“There are definitely sites that are closer to the town centre that could be used,” he added.

A MEETING attended by 85 people in Ennis last week heard serious concerns from the business community about the impact proposed changes to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan could have on retail activity in the town centre.

An element of the variation of the development plan, which is to be voted on by members of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council, proposes changing the zoning provision for a site at the junction of the Limerick Road and the Tobertascáin Road. If passed the site would be deemed suitable, under the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, as a location for a new district centre.

Michael Lynch Ltd is seeking planning permission at the five-hectare site for the development of large retail park, which businesses fear could have a negative impact on the town centre. Documents filed with Ennis Town Council state that the project has the potential to create up to 500 jobs in construction and retail. Permission is also being sought at the same site for the development of a new access road.

The applications are currently the subject of a further information request. The proposed variation to the development plan is the subject of a lengthy submission by Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

The submission outlines the Chamber’s concerns at the possibility of a new district centre being developed away from the town centre.

The matter was discussed at a meeting in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis last Tuesday.

Brian O’Neill, Vice President of Ennis Chamber, told the meeting that the review of the variation was commissioned by the Chamber and the streets associations of Ennis.

He said Ennis Chamber represents 230 businesses, employing over 4,000 people.

He said the review had been un- dertaken due to concern over the potential development of a new district centre away from the town centre.

Michael Leahy, architect and urban planner, said the submission was not an assessment of the Tobertascáin application. He explained that the variation would allow for the development of a new district centre. He warned of a “donut effect” whereby all retail activity would be attracted from the town centre to the outskirts. Mr Leahy said cars exiting the site would turn left on the motorway. “It’s a possibility that there would be very little benefit to the town centre.”

Mr Leahy said businesses are very concerned about the proposed dis- continuance of the requirement for a sequential test – a test requires that any applicant for a substantial retail development must first show that there are no suitable locations closer to the town centre than that which is proposed.

He added, “The location of the development is likely to act as a counter-magnet to the town centre.”

Businessman Oliver Moylan said the lack of a suitable retail mix is harming the town centre. He urged councillors who will vote on the proposed variation to “wake up” and oppose it. He said, “The town is dying in the centre and anyone with a brain can see that we don’t need this.”

THE COUNTY’S dog warden has been forced to contend with abuse from several dog owners in Shannon in recent weeks.

Frankie Coote told The Clare People that Shannon is a blackspot for roaming dogs and said that many dog owners are not facing up to the laws that exist.

He said that the issue of roaming dogs is more prevalent in Shannon than in any other part of the county. Kilrush and Shannon were the blackspots in the past, but Kilrush is now less of a headache than it was.

“We have never worked harder than what we are doing in Shannon at the moment,” said Frankie Coote.

He has been forced to contact the gardaí, after dog owners verbally abused him on numerous occasions in recent weeks.

“Shannon is the worst at the moment. I have had to have the guards out with me in the last few months. I’ve issued fines and warnings and taken away several dogs from there,” he said.

“More and more people are getting abusive,” he added.

“If I go to a call in Ennis, it’s rare I have to contact the guards,” he said.

He made the comments as Shannon Town Council has been asked to contact Mr Coote amid concerns over the huge number of stray dogs in the town.

Fine Gael councillor Vincent Cole- man has placed a motion on the issue, which is due to be discussed at a monthly meeting of the council this (Tuesday) evening. Mr Coleman has said the issue is “beginning to cause problems once again”.

Mr Coote said he has received sev eral complaints about dogs running around without leads in sports areas including Lees Road and the fairgreen in Ennis.

“People don’t realise they have to keep their dogs on leads,” he added.

He is pleased with the reduction in the number of dogs roaming around in Kilrush. “Kilrush has improved. There has been a marked improvement,” he said.

In general, there are multiple com plaints about wild dogs on a daily basis. “I could be dealing with 10 complaints some days over dogs being loose, dangerous behaviour and barking,” he said.

RESIDENTS of Francis Street awoke with a bang on Monday morning when a delivery truck bashed into a pillar at the historic Franciscan Friary.

The incident occurred at around 7.30am at the entrance to the Friary. No one was injured when the delivery truck accidentally collided with the pillar, sending loose piles of broken stonework.

Details of the accident were provided to Gardaí. A Garda spokesman said there was “nothing untoward” about the incident, which he said resulted from a “truck clipping a pillar”.

The spokesman said all details have been provided to the Guardian of the Friary.

According to a history of building, “The precise date of foundation of the Franciscan Friary in Ennis is unknown but it is likely to have been in existence by 1250.

“The nearby residence of the O’Brien kings of Thomond at Clonroad probably attracted the friars to the site and the O’Brien’s were its chief patrons throughout the medieval period.

“The first substantial friary buildings were constructed on an island in the late thirteenth century under the patronage of Toirdhealbhach O’Brien who died in 1306 and may have been buried there.”

A new chapel was opened in Bow Lane in 1830 and the present friary at Willow Bank House was obtained in 1856. The friary church was officially opened on 11 June 1892. The present friary is the Novitiate house for the Irish and British Provinces of the Franciscans.

CLARE County Council are poised to make the final grant allocation to Rural Resettlement Ireland for four once-off houses in west Clare that were inspired by a local community’s desire to save its local school from closure.

The four houses are being built by the Kilbaha-based national organisation in Tullycrine and Knockaderry on the back of funding from the Department of the Environment to the tune of € 400,000 and now a supplementary grant of over € 50,000 from Clare County Council.

“It’s a grant of € 56,670,” Clare County Council staff officer Deirdre O’Keeffe told The Clare People. “Kilrush area councillors have given approval but it now has to go before the monthly meeting of Clare County Council this October.

“The way it works is that there will be final budget costs submitted by the quantity surveyor for the houses. Rural Resettlement Ireland have reached the fund they are looking for and we have to go back to the Department of Environment to sanction that approval. We did that a while back and now we have to go before the council to get the councillors approval for that,” Ms O’Keeffe added.

The four houses are six years in planning, being part of an RRI plan to build 11 houses in depopulated parts of west Clare that were lodged with Clare County Council.

At the time RRI chief Jim Connolly revealed that plans for the four houses in Tullycrine and Knockaderry were lodged in direct response to a call from the chairman of Tullycrine national school board of management.

“We are working alongside schools by bringing in families to ensure that the schools’ future is secure,” Mr Connolly said.

Mary Lynch, one of two teachers at Tullycrine national school, said that the four new families moving into the area would mean the difference between Tullycrine being a one or a two-teacher school. “We currently have 12 pupils at the school and that is just enough to justify two teachers. But if four new families move into the area, that will help secure the future of the school.”

The house-building project was stalled for a number of years, before Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Michael Finneran in response to a parliamentary from Clare Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen, revealed in 2010 that “the project being advanced by Rural Resettlement Ireland at Tullycrine and Knockadereen” was included in his department’s € 157m budget for voluntary and social housing.

“Clare County Council will advise the housing body with regard to the procedures for drawing down the funding in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant schemes,” he added.

A FREE event aimed at helping parents to recognise the early signs of suicide in their teenage children will take place in Ennistymon later this evening, October 4.

The event, which is being organised by the North West Clare Family Resource Centre will see the HSE’s Suicide Resource Officer, Bernie Carroll, talk to parents about what to look out for in their children and what they can do.

“It really is an excellent talk. Infor- mation about this is power and as a parent, if you have information, then you know where you can go and what you can do if you notice something,” said Barbara Ó Conchúir, Community Development Worker with the North West Clare Family Resource Centre.

“I think a lot of parents can feel powerless when they are faced with an issue like suicide. I think the talk can help show parents what they need to do but also it can show them the supports that are there to help if they are not able to do it themselves. I think that the talk takes the fear out of the subject of suicide and that is great for parent and gives them the feeling that they can do something about it.”

The suicide prevention event is an early taster of a number of events planned to take place in North Clare to mark World Mental Health Week – which runs from October 10 to 14.

A series of four events are being organised by the Ennistymon Interagency Network and the North Clare Mental Association under the theme of ‘Building Resilience Together’.

“The event will kick of next Monday with laughter yoga at the new An Grianán Resource Centre. This centre is a great resource for us know and it gives us a place to run events like this,” continued Barbara.

“On October 13 they have a session called Happy Parents, which is an introduction to parenting run by Clarecare, while later that evening there is a Happy Teens event organised by Clare Youth Services.

“The following day there will be a musical evening with the Scoil Mhuire School Choir, Ennis Gos- pel Choir and Toonta Ceoil, which will take place at the Lahinch Seaworld. The whole theme of the week is building resilience so it is about getting people out to do things that make them feel well as well.”

The free suicide talk will take place at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon from 7.30pm later today, October 4.

For more information or to book any of these events call the North West Clare Family Resource Centre on 065 7071144 or email info@northwestclarefrc.ie.