This article is from page 35 of the 2008-09-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
that the project was never a moneymaking venture but about changing people lives for the better.
The €4 million etown project is the first of its kind in Ireland and con- struction work on the 12 combined home/work units in the scheme was completed early this year with Shan- non Development taking ownership
in April.
“There has been a lot of activity with the show house,” said Mr Ryan.
The e-towns initiative allows peo- ple to work from home and has been designed as an innovative way of helping people find a better quality O) Ms BB Kee
This unique integrated development combines living and office space with high-tech broadband access.
The current property downturn has had an affect on the sale of the hous- es and units in Miltown Malbay but as the economy continues to change Mr Ryan believes that the e-town
concept will become an even more valuable part of modern life.
“We believe in the concept. The time is right. More people will want to live close to work as the price of oil and petrol gets more expensive.”
“We see this as a long term invest- ment and we are not in it for the money,’ said the Shannon Develop- ment employee. “It is about changing quality of life for the best.”
So committed to the concept, Shan- non Development is preparing to Open its second etown to the public ONS To) O)Ko08 elo aoe
The eight-unit homework space is
situated on 1.3 acres inside the walls of an old mill. From there the sem1- state company plans to build similar etowns in Offaly, north Tipperary and County Limerick.
Among the many attraction likely to entice people to the west Clare etown and the nine primary schools and secondary school in the area.
It also has a vibrant community, surfing, golf, drama, Irish music classes, créche facilities, 15 bars and a dozen restaurants within a few of miles, and of course the sea. It is also just 30 minutes from Ennis and un- der an hour from Shannon Airport.