Category: News

CLARE LOOKS set to lead Ireland in wave energy after a revolutionary new wave energy project planned for West Clare was given a € 23 million grant by the European Commission last year.

It is now understood that construction work on the WestWave waveenergy power plant, which will be located at Killard just off Doonbeg, could get underway as early as 2016.

When completed, the WestWave plant will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of an area the size of Kilkee and Kilrush.

The Clare project was the only Irish wave energy project to receive funding under the European Commission’s NER 300 programme, which had funding amounting to € 1 billion to allocate.

A spokesperson for the ESB has indicated that should construction work begin as expected in 2016, the plant could be providing energy locally before the end of 2018.

The company also believes that the West Clare project will provide a platform for scores of similar projects off the Clare coast to emerge.

“Ireland’s oceans have the potential to provide large quantities of indigenous, renewable energy and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

“Demonstration projects like ESB WestWave are critical if we are to realise the ultimate aim of progressing to larger commercial scale projects and a low carbon future,” said John McSweeney, Head of Innovation at ESB.

“The funding award is a huge boost to the ESB WestWave project and to Ocean Energy development in Ireland and Europe.”

A number of Clare location have already been earmarked for future wave energy development.

The waters around Spanish Point have been identified as having possible the greatest potential for a commercial wave energy plant in Ireland, which Australian company, Carnegie Wave Energy, are already involved in the development of a plant at the White Strand in Miltown Malbay.

While the project is expected to result in some local employment opportunities, it is not clear yet just how many jobs could be provided by the wave energy project in Clare.

A NORTH Clare food producer is on the verge of making a major breakthrough and opening itself up to more than a billion possible new customers in China.

Later this month the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna will send a representative to Shanghai, where she will work for nine months to find opportunities for Clare salmon to be sold directly into the Chinese market.

The representative, who is herself a Chinese national, is a fellowship student at the Smurfit Business School in Dublin, and will represent the Burren Smokehouse in China until April of next year. The move is being seen as a major development for the Lisdoonvarna producer, who have been making small inroads into the Chinese market in recent years.

“I took part in a major seafood fair in China last November and I saw that there was opportunities for very high end products like ours in China – es- pecially in specialty food shops and in high end restaurants as well.

“There is a growing demand in that part of the world for high end seafood. It’s not easy, it takes time, but there is potential for growth there,” said Birgitta Hedin Curtin of the Burren Smokehouse.

“We had some products in China for Christmas, so we have had a presence there. So I feel that we have a great opportunity now while we have the fellowship student working for us in China to make a breakthrough. It is exciting.

“There are opportunities for us in China. It is invaluable for us to have someone on the ground in China – this will allow us to dip out toe in the market without having to go there myself all the time.

“We are looking for a niche market – relative small volumes but at a higher price. So we need to have a good understanding of where our products should be pitched.”

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THE head of An Post, Christoph Meuller, has been called to appear before next month’s meeting of Clare County Council to outline the State organisations strategy towards post office in Clare.

The moves comes in the wake of ongoing feats over the future of the Cratloe Post Office, which is cur – rently not clear.

This follows a put forward by Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council.

“I think that it is high time that An Post came out and give an idea about their strategy regarding the future of the post office network in Clare. They speak of viability, but the very post offices which seem to be threatened are viable operations,” said Cllr Crowe.

“Basically, if your local post matter become ill or moves away, then the whole postal service in your area become suddenly under threat.”

Representative of the Cratloe Post Office Action Group have their final proposal for the retention of the post office to An Post last Friday and there is no indication yet whether this service will be retained.

The future of Cratloe post office came into doubt in late June an An Post review of operations found that the post offices was not generating enough income to justify keeping it open.

The Cratloe Post Office Action Group has gathered thousands of signatures locally from people and businesses who are pledging to use the post office more often.

The action group have proposed a five year trail period with An Post, to allow local people to support their post office and increase usage numbers.

The Cratloe Post Office Action Group say they will take to the streets if necessary to protest for the retention of their post office.

The Midwest representative of the Irish Postmasters’ Union, Kildysart native Tom O’Callaghan, has called on the government to allocate more services to post offices in a bid to maintain their viability.

A SPECIAL meeting will take place in Ennis this Friday to determine whether Clare County Council will change the zoning of a section of land in Ennis to allow for the construction of a € 5 million crematorium and large graveyard.

Councillors at yesterday’s July meeting of Clare County Council decided to defer a decision on whether to make a material contravention of Ennis and Environs Development Plan in order to allow the project to go forward.

The project, which has been proposed by Fenloe Properties Ltd, could see the development of a crematorium as well a massive graveyard to accomodate almost 4,000 graves.

Should it go ahead, the project would include the construction of a gated entrance, driveway and carpark, a chapel with ancillary reception, offices and toilets, a furnace, a remembrance and memorial garden and a waste water treatment unit and percolation area at a site at Ballaghfadda on the Kildysart Road in Ennis.

A number of local undertaker, headstone makers and other people involved in the funeral industry in Clare were present at yesterdays meeting.

Indeed, the meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes to allow councillors to consult with industry members before a decision could be made.

It was also confirmed that the proposal could see the creation of as many as 3,827 individual graves. This number would likely be reduced by more than 650 however, as the developers would be prevented from placing graves within a certain distance from local monuments.

“Some of us are not well briefed in this. We are not fully aware of what will happen at this area in the future. This is a big issue and something you cant rush into. I would like a special meeting called next Friday make a decision on it,” said Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).

Cllr Cooney was supported by Ennis based Cllr Pat Daly (FF) who said that the decision was too important to get wrong and that councillors be “fully briefed” on the issue.

A special meeting of Clare County Council will now take place this Friday at 9.30am with the proposed zoning change the only item on the agenda.

LOCAL councillors have condemned the vandalism of flower baskets in a residential area of Ennis at the weekend.

A number of baskets were upturned in the Turnpike area on Sunday night. The incident occurred at a time of the year when judging traditionally takes place for the National Tidy Towns competition.

The matter was raised at yesterday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District Committee. Councillor James Breen (Ind) said he wanted to condemn the “mindless vandalism” that occurred in the Turnpike on Sunday night.

He said he hoped the people who committed the damage are found and brought to justice.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said he was “appalled” by what happened in the Turnpike on Sunday.

“It was disgraceful, what happened,” he added.

He said he hoped such mindless vandalism would not deter from the efforts of local community groups who are involved in work for the National Tidy Town’s competition.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) said she also condemned the vandalism. She questioned if the Ennis MDC had invited the Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, to meet with councillors to discuss issues around crime in the town.

Director of Service Ger Dollard told the meeting that gardaí have always been happy to engage and meet with the Council.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said it might be possible to arrange a meeting for September.

He said the MDC should also consider establishing a forum similar to the Joint Policing Committees that existed under the old forms of local government.

There were also calls to open gates at Drumcliffe graveyard on Sunday mornings.

Cllr Daly said that many elderly people find it difficult to walk up the graveyard.

Earlier this year, Ennis Town Council revealed it had started to restrict access to the graveyard to prevent vehicles from damaging the graveyards.

There were also reports of anti-social behaviour and intimidation of people visiting the area.

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) told yesterday’s meeting there was some merit to keeping the gates closed.

She said she had witnessed some altercations at Drumcliffe over the last year.

“It can be very frightening there at times,” she added.

Cllr Daly proposed the council consider opening the gates to allow for vehicular access between 11am and 1pm on Sundays.

THE POTENTIAL development of a multi-billion oil and natural gas well off the Clare coast has hit a major set back – which could delay any exploration of the Spanish Point or Burren off shore wells by a number of years.

Drilling work was due to take place at the Spanish Point field, located in the Porcupine Basic off the Clare coast this Spring.

Irish company, Providence Resources, who are leading up the exploration operation off the Clare coast have announced a delay of at least a year.

The company had previously announced a partnership with Cairn Energy, who would undertake the drilling at the site. However, as a result of delays to a refurbishment of the rig, the project operator have been forced to cancel the rig contract.

As a result of this cancellation, Providence Resources will have to open a new tender for an industry drill-partner which prevent any drilling taking place until 2015 at the earliest.

The company has however decided to go ahead with its planned 3D seismic scanning of the area which should reveal more information about how much oil and gas reserves are contained in the Spanish Point field.

“The postponement of appraisal drilling at Spanish Point is regrettable and beyond the control of the partnership,” commented Chief Executive of Providence Resources, Tony O’Reilly, who is a son of Tony O’Reilly the former head of Independent Newspapers and CEO of Heinz.

“As the rig refurbishment delays became apparent, the operator evaluated various options to re-schedule the Blackford Dolphin rig and to secure another drilling unit for 2014, but this proved unsuccessful.

“Our ability to commence drilling in the autumn was further constrained by the rig’s operational capabilities at the Spanish Point location during winter and thus the decision was taken to terminate the contract and seek a new drilling unit for 2015.

“This procurement process has commenced and we will provide further updates as they are confirmed by the operator,” O’Reilly said during the week.

It is believed that there is a vast natural gas reserve contained in the Burren and Spanish Point wells with previous estimated suggesting that they contained enough natural gas to meet Ireland entire needs for more then 70 years.

THE NATIONAL Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS] have confirmed that illegal deer poaching in taking place in parts of Clare – but cannot comment as to whether the problem is getting worse.

This comes in the wake of an incident in the Whitegate area last month when a horse was shot dead on private property by suspected poachers.

It has also been reported locally that shooting, and night shooting in particular, is continuing in areas of the county even though the shooting season for deer has long closed – and that some people are even shooting illegally from the back of moving vehicles.

East Clare residents have also expressed their concern that poachers, using high powered rifles to shoot at night, could pose a serious risk to public health.

“We do get reports of illegal hunting. Shooting at night is illegal.

“Discharging a fire arm from a public roadway is also illegal but that would be a matter for the gardaí to deal with.

“Shooting from a moving vehicle is also illegal and would be a matter for the gardaí if done from a public road, shooting from a vehicle off-road is something that we [NPWS] would look at under the Wildlife act,” said Seamus Hassett, District Conservation Officer for the NPWS.

“We mount patrols in conjunction with the gardaí and sometimes on our own but in relation to going to court, evidence has to be gathered and you would need to have a robust and strong enough case to take them to court.

“That would entail evidence, either physical or others.

“I cannot really comment on whether the problem is getting worse in Clare or not.

“You hear anecdotal evidence that deer numbers are decreasing in some areas and also that they are increasing in others.

“So it is very difficult to give an accurate answer. But we are aware of an element of what we would consider taking place in Clare.”

Fears have been raised about the dangers of night hunting in parts of Clare – with poachers using rifled that can kill from a number of kilometres away.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service have confirmed that, under current legislation, there is no maximum power of rifle than can be used. “There is no upper limit to how powerful the rifles can be – there is a minimum power. The rifles must be of at least a .22 caliber with a minimum grain weight of 64 grains and a minimum muzzle velocity of 1700 foot pounds.

The idea of this is to insure that the rifle is powerful enough to insure that animal is dispatched humanely,” said Mr Hassett.

CLARE County Council has applied for approval from the Department of Environment to raise loans of € 1.75 million to fund an ambitious re-development of part of the Ennis Market.

Members of the former Ennis Town Council previously approved the raising of the loan to develop a covered market and other infrastructural works at Garraunakilla.

In a report to Ennis councillors, Ennis Municipal District Coordinator, Ger Dollard states, “At this point in time, formal approval has not to date been received but the Council is continuing to engage with the Department in relation to the matter. It is unlikely that any significant financial requirement will arise in the current year and it is the Council’s intention to progress the project to a shovel ready stage. At that point, it would be essential that formal funding decisions are made in relation to then project”.

“The project offers a very significant basis for rejuvenation of the area and the intention would be to follow on, subject to funding, with further phases of the Market redevelopment project.”

The proposal to re-develop Garraunakilla includes the building of a structure that according to the Council will have “multifunctional uses”. The proposed structure would consist of two adjacent pavilions with a plexi-glass roof covering the central corridor.

Mr Dollard told the meeting the construction of a covered market formed phase one of an overall re- development of parts of the town centre.

The plan also envisions developments at Barrack Street, Lysaght’s Lane and Moran’s Car Park.

He was speaking in response to a motion tabled by Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District Committee.

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) told the meeting the proposal represents a “very exciting project” for Ennis. She said covered market has the potential in time to become one of the town’s “iconic” buildings.

She said it would be beneficial if the new councillors received a full briefing the project.

Cllr Ann Norton (Ind) agreed that it would be useful if all councillors were brought up to speed.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) said she had concerns at how the Council could afford to take on such a costly project at a time when it is struggling to provide resources for “basic public services”.

Cllr James Breen (Ind) said he had been approached by some people in the Market area who claimed the planning notice for the development was not displayed properly in the market.

Mr Dollard said this was not correct. He said the former Ennis Town Council received a high volume of submissions in relation to the project. He said there was a high degree of knowledge among the public about the project.

In his report, Mr Dollard that initial archaeological investigations had been completed and a detailed design is being prepared so the project can be brought to tender.

CLARE County Council has been urged to “go all out” and purchase a site in the Buttermarket, Ennis for the development of a new car park in the town.

That’s according to former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF), who raised the issue at yesterday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District Committee.

In a motion, Cllr Daly called on the Municipal District “to seek funding for the purchase of the site at Buttermarket, Ennis with a view to constructing either a ground floor car-park or a multi-story car park, particularly as parking in the town is at a premium presently”.

Cllr Daly told the meeting there are very few sites in Ennis that would be suitable for car-park development.

He said parking is a major issue, particularly for businesses in the town.

He said the Council should “go all out” to purchase the site, even if that meant lobbying the Department of Environment.

In his reply, Senior Executive Engineer, Eamon O’Dea said Ennis Town Council had previously “pursued acquisition of this site for the purposes of car-parking and had agreed a purchase price and paid a deposit”.

He continued, “Following examination of title and other matters, the Council on advice of the Town Solicitor and in the absence of issues being clarified by the liquidator, the sale did not proceed. The property was recently offered again for sale and the Council has again submitted a bid for the property”.

Director of Service and Ennis MDC Coordinator, Ger Dollard, said he was aware the site had recently been sold at auction and the issues around title had been resolved.

Cllr James Breen (Ind) told the meeting it is “very necessary” new parking facilities are developed in the town. Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said she fully supported the proposal.

THE FORMER home of controversial Clare novelist Edna O’Brien could be purchased and maintained by the Irish state.

Calls have been made for the State to intervene and purchase Drewsborough House in Tuamgraney after the property failed to sell at auction earlier this month.

The property, which was a central setting for O’Brien’s debut book, the partially autobiographical ‘The County Girls’, failed to reach its guide price of € 350,000 at auction.

Indeed the property, which was val- ued in excess of € 1 million during the Celtic Tiger years, was taken off the market with bidding reaching just € 200,000.

The house and adjoining land is being sold by the estate of the late Claire O’Brien, the novelist’s sister-in-law, who lived at Drewsborough with the novelist’s late brother, who ran his medical practice from the house.

According to auctioneer Noel Corcoran negotiations for the sale of the property are ongoing with one of bidders involved in the auction.

The property was described by O’Brien as “a font of inspiration” during an unveiling of a plaque in her honour at Drewsborough House in 2011.

O’Brien’s childhood there was not a happy one, as detailed in her 2012 memoir, Country Girl.

She was born in 1930 and her first novel, The Country Girls, is credited as breaking the silence on sexual matters and social issues in Ireland. The book was banned, burned and denounced from the pulpit following it publication, leading to O’Brien leaving Ireland and settling in London where she now lives.

Calls have been made for the state to acquire the house and develop it into a writers retreat and museum but to date there has been no formal government statement on the proposal.