Category: News

THERE were 200 per cent more houses and commercial units added to the Clare building stock during the first six months of this year, when compared to the same period in 2011.

As many as 327 new residential and commercial buildings were recorded in Clare for the first six months of 2012, according to new figures released by GeoDirectory.

GeoDirectory was jointly established by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) to create and manage Ireland’s only complete database of commercial and residential buildings.

The figures represent a year-onyear increase of 200 per cent compared to the same period in 2011 when 109 new buildings were added in the county.

The increase in new building additions in Clare in the first half of 2012 is in contrast to the 23 per cent fall recorded nationally.

The 327 new buildings identi fied in Clare were composed of 295 residential buildings, 29 commercial buildings and the were dual-purpose buildings with both residential and commercial elements. These new additions bring the total number of buildings in Clare to 57, 521.

Of these new buildings 11 per cent remain unoccupied in County Clare compared to 12 per cent nationally.

Across the country, GeoDirectory recorded 5,620 new buildings, consisting of 4,837 residential buildings, 590 commercial buildings and 193 dual-purpose buildings with both residential and commercial compo- nents. The new additions for the first six months of 2012 bring the total number of new buildings in the Republic of Ireland to 1,889,143.

Clare was one of just seven counties to buck the national trend by experiencing an increase in new building additions compared to the same period in 2011.

Commenting on the figures, Dara Keogh, CEO, GeoDirectory, said, “Current figures for new additions represent a 94 per cent decrease from the peak in 2007, when GeoDirectory identified 60,781 new commercial and residential buildings across the country.

The new figures have identified a vacancy rate nationally of 12 per cent for new building additions, which in effect would mean that 9 out of 10 new commercial and residential buildings are occupied.

UP TO 70 students, the majority from America, have been unearthing the historical mysteries of the Burren for the past two years thanks to the Caherconnell Archaeological Field School.

Within the last year the school, which allows students to get involved in the archaeological dig on the Caherconnell fort received academic accreditation from NUI Galway.

The accreditation adds even more academic weight to the course overseen by Irish archaeological heavy weight Dr Michelle Comer.

All of its achievements will be celebrated on Friday evening next when the school is officially opened by Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan.

The family run fort and school has already added significantly to the historical knowledge of the area in the last two years.

Colm Davoren of Caherconnell Archaeological Field School told The Clare People that “education means a lot to the family.” The fort was originally built by the family and “it is our lineage” explained Mr Davoren.

Among the finds the students and their supervisor discovered just a stone’s throw from the school in the fort was a hearth the pre-dates the originally presumed date of the fort.

They also uncovered a footpath to the fort, which is now available for the public to see. The remains of a mystery woman dating back 400 years was also discovered. Her body was defleshed and disarticulated, a practice that should have finished many years previous – adding to the mystery. Mr Davoren said that plans are in place to begin excavating the main fort next year.

Siobhán King from Shannon Development has also pledged her support for the business.

“Caherconnell stone fort is an excellent example of a family-owned business in the heart of the Burren. They have worked over the years to maintain their uniqueness as a product, while at the same diversifying to build on their product offering. The addition of the field school is a fine example of this and is testimony to the enthusiasm, hard work, and innovation of the owners to develop the business as a key tourist attraction within the Burren,” she said.

“There has been an influx of archaeological students who come to Caherconnell to develop their ar- chaeological techniques and to add to their experience in a truly meaningful way.”

Dr Michelle Comber, the archaeological director at Caherconnell and a lecturer of Archaeology at NUIG, said the “field school provides an amazing opportunity for us, as archaeologists, to unearth information on the Irish past, and to pass on our skills to the next generation of archaeologists. The school also allows the local community to share its proud heritage with an international audience – continuing the centuriesold Davoren tradition of providing education in the Burren.”

CLARE County Council has been urged to consult with landowners requesting their cooperation for a walking path around Ballyalla Lake.

The proposal was put forward at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP), who put forward the motion, told the meeting that he was not expecting the matter to progress quickly.

Cllr Meaney said, “However, this would be a first step to write to landowners to see if they would be willing to make land available.”

According to Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, a number of issues have to be considered in the context of any development at Ballyalla.

These include funding to compensate private landowners in the area and to construct the walking path. He stated that the majority of land around the lake is in private ownership.

Mr O’Dea added, “Different levels to which the lakes rise at different times of the year would cause difficulties at the exact location of the pathway.”

Cllr Meaney said water level problems could be overcome though the use of elevated walkways.

Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) told the meeting that a great opportunity existed to develop Ballyalla.

He said the project should initially focus on improving footpaths and toilet facilities while a playground should also be considered.

He said that by working alongside a local community group, the council could seek 75 per cent of the project costs through the LEADER programme.

Cllr McNamara added, “Something like this would really lift the area.”

It has previously been proposed that the next Ennis Development Plan contain provision for a land corridor linking Ballyalla with the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Facility.

THE funeral will take place in Ennis today of a well-known father of four who died following a tragic accident last week. Ennis man Sean O’Sullivan got into difficulty while swimming at Whitestrand near Spanish Point.

The incident occurred at around 5.30pm on Friday. A lifeguard on duty was asked to check on Mr O’Sullivan’s position in the water. A boat alerted the lifeguard to the presence of a body in the water.

Mr O’Sullivan was brought ashore where attempts were made to resuscitate him.

Mr O’Sullivan was brought by heli- copter to University Hospital Galway where he was later pronounced dead.

He was an experienced swimmer, lifeguard and sub-aqua diver from a well-known and popular sporting Ennis family. He was a long-serving member of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club and worked for many years as a lifeguard. Two of Mr O’Sullivan’s sons, as well as two nephews, currently work as lifeguards in Clare.

Mr O’Sullivan’s family are also well known from their long-time involvement in the Community Games.

Tributes have been paid to a man described as a “fantastic” person and athlete.

A spokeswoman for Clare Commu- nity Games said, “Clare Community Games were shocked and saddened at the sudden death of Sean O’Sullivan on Friday last. Sean was vice chairman of Clare Community Games in 1998 and 1999.

“He was very actively involved in all aspects of the games both at Area and County level. Sean won a Silver medal for Judo at the National Finals in Mosney in 1974. Sean is the son of John and Cecilia, President and Vice President of Clare Community Games,” she continued.

“We extend our sympathy and prayers to all the O’Sullivan family and extended family. Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Friend and Clare Water Safety Development Officer, Liam Griffin, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.

He added, “He was a fantastic fella, a real lovely, lovely fella. He was involved in water safety for a long number of years. He would have been a lifeguard on all the big beaches in Clare. Everyone is numb after what happened.”

Mr O’Sullivan is pre-deceased by his sister Rose. He is survived by his wife Helen and sons Cian, Eoin, Cormac and Donnchadh. He will be sadly missed by his family, extended family and wide circle of friends. Funeral Mass takes place at 11am today at Ennis Cathedral. Burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery.

GARDAÍ in Ennis are awaiting ballistic results from a pipe bomb discovered in a car on the outskirts of the town last week.

Two men in their twenties with Ennis addresses were arrested by Gardai in the Barefield area of Coun- ty Clare after a pipe bomb was found in their car.

Gardaí stopped the car at Cappa Beg on the old N18 Ennis to Galway road at approximately 1am on Tuesday morning last.

The occupants of the car, were taken to Ennis Garda Station where they were held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

They were released at 11pm that night.

Ennis Superintendent Peter Duff said a file on the case is being sent to the Director of Public Prosecution.

“I don’t envisage any more arrests in relation top this incident,” he added.

The pipe bomb, which was made safe at the scene by the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EODT) based at Collins Barracks in Cork, is now being examined by a ballistics team.

During a follow up operation gardaí also searched premises in the Ennis area.

Supt Duff confirmed that nothing else was discovered during the searches.

THE number of people signing on the live register in Clare fell to a threeyear low last month, with the lowest figures since October of 2009.

However, according to people in the business community, this low is being driven by emigration rather than job creation in the local economy.

The biggest fall came in the North Clare area, where the Ennistymon office reported a drop of almost eight per cent between March and May of this year.

According to North Clare-based hotelier and head of the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF), Michael Vaughan, emigration has devastated the locality.

“The tourism trade in the county has been very flat. There was a small rebound earlier in the year but nothing that would have any real impact on employment.

“North Clare has been hit very, very badly by emigration and, sadly, it is that and not any great growth in employment that is leading to these figures,” he said.

This flat outlook for employment prospects in the Clare economy was echoed by CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, who said that local tourism and retail businesses were hopeful of a big July and August to kickstart the year.

According to Ms McInerney, a number of Clare businesses are actually having trouble hiring people to cover short-term and seasonal positions – because of difficulties for people accessing social welfare after taking up fixed-term contracts.

“I have come across a number of Clare employers who are having trouble filling short-term positions. The Government needs to give people assurances that if they get off the live register to take up short-term employment, that it won’t take them weeks and weeks to get back on it again,” she said.

“It is a very difficult time for businesses to take on staff. Staff is based on turnover and, given the current situation, employers will be slow to take on extra staff until they are sure that they will need them.”

Sean O’SULLIVAN
of 325 Golflinks Road, Ennis. Suddenly. Funeral arriving for 11amMass to Ennis Cathedral today (Tuesday). Burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to Clare Care. May he rest in peace.

James BROHAN
of Spancillhill, Ennis. Suddenly. Funeral Mass today (Tuesday) at 11am in Clooney Church followed by burial in Clooney Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Flan CARMODY
of Monvana, Kilrush. Peacefully.Arriving at St. Senan’s Church, Kilrush this morning (Tuesday) for funeral mass at 10amfollowed by private cremation at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Cork. No flowers please. Donations, if desired, to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. May he rest in peace.

Tom (John) LONG
of Connaught Road, Scariff. Peacefully, in his 91st year. RequiemMass today (Tuesday) in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Scarriff, at 11.30am followed by burial in the Old CemeteryTuamgraney. Donations, if desired, to Caring for Carers, Co. Clare. May he rest in peace.

Bernadette BARRY (née Hanrahan)
of Caheraphuca, Crusheen. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilawinna cemetery. Donations, if desired, to cancer care. May she rest in peace.

Gerry CLOHESSY
of St Columba’s Ballindereen, Co. Galway and late of Miltown Malbay. Laid to rest in Miltown Malbay. May he rest in peace.

Bridget (Birdie) MORAN
(née Callinan) of Kilfenora. Peacefully at St Domnic Savio nursing home, Liscannor. Laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetary,Athea, Co. Limerick. Donations in lieu if desired to St. Domnic Savio nursing home. May she rest in peace.

Jack MOORE
of Rooeast,Ardnacrusha.Arriving for 12 noon mass today (Tuesday) Tuesday in Clonlara Church, with burial afterwards in Ballycannon Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Martin McNAMARA
of Luton, Bedfordshire, England and formerly of ShackletonTerrace,Well Road, Kilkee.Ashes laid to rest inThe Family Grave in Lisdeen Cemetery Kilkee. May he rest in peace.

Paddy O’DONOGHUE
of Caherush, Quilty. Laid to rest in Quilty. May he rest in peace.

Margaret (Peg) McKEEN
(née Hegarty) of Ivy Hill, Gort Road, Ennis, Laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin. May she rest in peace.

Alfie CROWE
of Boston Massachusetts and Dysart, Corofin. Ashes laid to rest in Dysart Cemetery. Donations, if desired to Cancer Research. May he rest in peace.

Thomas WHITTAKER
of 9 Brookfield, Lahinch Road, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Mary DOHERTY
of Castlewood Park, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe cemetery. May she rest in peace.

THE process of removing illegally parked caravans and other temporary dwellings has become a “huge drain on staff and resources” for Clare County Council, a meeting has heard. Town clerk Leonard Cleary was speaking yesterday after concern was expressed over a recent rise in illegal encampments in Ennis and Clarecastle.

Mr Cleary said that at a time when the council has seen a 20 per cent reduction in staff numbers, local authorities do not have the capacity to devote resources to dealing with illegal encampments. He added, “It’s a huge source of frustration for staff and management.”

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF), said illegal encampments had become “too regular” around Ennis.

Mr Cleary was speaking at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis west electoral area. Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) had called for immediate action on illegal encampments and for “those responsible to pay all costs from their social welfare if necessary”.

In her reply, Fiona Mooney, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Housing Section, states, “The process for dealing with illegal encampments of temporary dwellings are invoked immediately by personnel.

“This does not amount to an immediate outcome, because the elements of the process necessarily take a minimal amount of time.

“The processes are as efficient as they can be given the inadequacies in the legislative framework available, the requirements of the legislation that can be invoked in each particular case, the available human resources to the council and other statutory agencies, and given the level of non-compliance with notices served.

“There is no mechanism provided for those responsible paying ‘all costs.’

In any case where a temporary dwelling has been removed, there is legislative provision for the owner to have to pay the removal cost, in order to retrieve it,” she added.

At a meeting of the Ennis East Electoral Committee, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said that people living in Ennis and Clarecastle have had their “hearts broken” by illegal encampments.

Mr Cleary said new national legislation is required in order to give the local authorities more effective powers.

A NEW website has been launched to help promote the folklore and oral history of County Clare, with the story tellers taking centre stage.

The site, www.clarememories.ie, is a result of the work of Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the Clare Oral History and Folklore Group, who have been documenting the memories of Clare’s oldest citizens for the last two years.

The voluntary group have already amassed considerable collection of material amounting to more than 330 interviews with people aged between 65 and 106.

The website, which was supported by the Clare Local Development Company, provides information on Cuimhneamh an Chláir’s collection programme as well as their outreach and education initiatives. Viewers can also play samples of the groups recordings as well as learn about aspects of Clare’s folklore, like old Irish words used by older people in Clare as well as Biddy Early, Bríd Uí Choisteala and other folklore figures in the county. An interactive map shows an example of where the group have conducted interviews across Clare and a sample of the summaries conducted for each interview can be read. Of the 300 plus people interviewed by Cuimhneamh an Chláir, more than 40 have passed away, including ten people who were over one hundred years old when they were interviewed.

According to Frances Madigan of the Cuimhneamh an Chláir Executive Committee, the group aims to continue with its intensive collection programme in the coming years andwill also maintain their ambition of taking the material back out the public at every opportunity.

“It’s vital that we make the material as available as we can to the people of Clare in the short term through our listening room concept, ‘Come here till I tell ya’ and through radio programmes as well as public workshops. However in the long term, we aim to make all the material available to the people of Clare and are working towards that on a continuous basis. Features will be added to the website over the coming months based on collected material all across County Clare, exploring themes such as farming in the old days, electrification, beliefs, and calendar customs.”

Former Mayor of Clare and founding member of the group Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said, “Just three years ago, Cuimhneamh an Chláir was an idea. Now we have built one of the largest and most successful folklore collection groups in the country.”

LAST Wednesday’s temporary loss of water supply to parts of Ennis and its surrounds was a result of a burst mains on a main trunk supply from the Drumcliff reservoir.

Clare County Council identified the problem quickly and worked through Wednesday night to ensure supply was fully restored within 24 hours.

During the disruption Ennis General Hospital was without water for a short time but fire services using water tankers ensured that hospital supplies of water were unaffected by the loss of supply.

According to Senior Engineer with Clare County Council Sean Ward, the discovered leak was a serious one.

“On Wednesday morning we observed high flows through our district meter on Sandfield Road, indicating that there was a major leak or burst in that district.

“We shut the district off at 10am, located the burst and started to repair it,” he told The Clare People , adding that very quickly people were in contact with the council to report water issues.

“CCC staff immediately started inspecting the network to locate any other bursts that might account for this loss of pressure.

“With the assistance of the operating contractor’s staff at Drumcliffe water treatment plant, a major leak was found on one of the two trunk supply mains from Drumcliffe reservoir to the town,” Sean said.

To protect the town’s main water supply, the council took the decision to temporarily cut off the main supply route in question.

The burst section of main was exposed by 6pm and repaired by 9.30pm. Ennis area staff then worked during the night and again early the following morning to ensure that supply was getting back to all areas. Mr Ward praised the co-operation of local landowner Pat Tierney, who facilitated the early repair work.

“Clare County Council would like to record its appreciation to Pat Tierney, the owner of the land on which the trunk main burst occurred, for readily facilitating entry to his land to allow the big main to be repaired this greatly assisted the speed of our response,” he added.

CLARE has officially suffered its wettest June since 1947, with farmers across the county facing major bills this winter as grass growth and fodder harvesting are both well behind normal.

According to new figures produced by Met Éireann, June 7 was the wettest June day recorded at Shannon Airport in 65 years.

These record rainfalls have been compounded by unusually low levels of sunshine in the county – which have been disturbing beach users and holiday makers, as well as the county’s farmers.

Indeed, according to the the Irish Meteorological Service, Shannon Airport recorded its dullest June since 1993, 19 years ago, with average temperature for the month also below normal. This is despite the average temperature for the month being higher in Clare, at 13.6 degrees, than anywhere else in the county.

This unseasonably wet June has created a situation where many Clare farmers have yet to harvest their first cut of silage. A number of dairy farmers in the county have been forced to return cattle to shed at night and supplement their feed in order to keep milk supply up.

“This is adding serious cost to Clare farmers. They are keeping them inside and there is a big extra cost on meal in order to keep cows milking. If you let cows back this time of the year it is impossible to get them back again,” said Martin McMahon, Clare President of the ICMSA.

“This is a disaster for farmers. The ground conditions are unbelievable we never saw land as wet before as we are seeing it now. The big problem is coming down the line. A lot of farmers need two week of good fine weather before some farmers in the county will be able to cut anything.

“They are in trouble now but that is going to put them in serious trouble this winter when they don’t have the feed to feed their cattle. There are some farmers who would normally do two cuts of silage and they haven’t even got their first cut in yet.

“Farmers don’t know whether to chance cutting the land or not. Farmers are getting desperate and taking chances and they are needing up with fodder down for maybe a week or more and that means that the quality in the fodder will not be there.

“There is going to be a big scarcity of fodder over the winter – and the quality is going to be very poor,” he said.