Category: News

THE CLARE County Council decision to extinguish a public right of way across one of the fairways on Doonbeg Golf Club has been upheld by the High Court.

The order was made by Mr Justice Peter Charleton on Thursday last, when he dismissed a bid to quash the extinguishment of the right of way, citing the fact that the application was brought outside the legal time limits.

The judge pointed out that under court rules, an application for judicial review must be made within a maximum six months, unless there are good reasons shown to extend the time. No good reason was shown in this case, he said.

The challenge to the extinguishment of the right of way across the course was taken by James McNulty, Ballingun West, Kilrush, who said he was dismayed the local authority would extinguish a right of way to a place of natural beauty.

In his court challenge, Mr McNulty also said that the council had acted beyond its powers in this decision, and that it breached legislation on grounds including that an oral hearing relating to the proposal lacked fair procedure.

Clare County Council voted by 223 in September, 2009 in favour of extinguishing the right of way, which meant the public could no longer walk across the fourth and 14th fairways. The decision provided for an alternative right of way nearby. The plan also involved the golf club constructing a car park to be used predominantly by surfers.

Mr Justice Charleton said Mr McNulty focused on the fairness of a public hearing held by the council in October 2008 concerning its proposal to set up an alternative right of way.

While that hearing was chaired by an independent planning official, Mr McNulty had concerns the county council’s solicitor advised the inspector on legal procedures during the course of the hearing and claimed that tainted the fairness of the hearing.

Mr McNulty also argued the council’s proposal to extinguish the right of way in favour of a private arrangement between it and the golf club was outside the local authority’s powers.

SINCE 2006, planning applications for large residential and commercial schemes in Ennis have been refused because of inadequate capacity in the public sewer, a meeting has heard.

The comment was made by Andrew Hersey, Executive Planner with Ennis Town Council, at an An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in Ennis on Thursday.

The hearing was held to examine information submitted to the Board by Clare County Council in relation to a proposed upgrade of the Clondroadmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Ennis.

In his submission as a representative of the planning authority, Mr Hersey recommended to the board that permission be granted to the proposed development.

He explains that the plant, which has been in operation since the 1970s, has a design capacity for a population equivalent (PE) of 17, 000 and its cur rent loading is circa 26, 000 (PE).

He added, “There is therefore a shor tfall of treatment capacity. I note that in order to comply with conditions for a discharge authorisation license as issued by the EPA, it is necessary that the capacity be increased.”

Mr Hersey states that Ennis is designated as a hub town in the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020.

He states that the strategy identifies three levels of capital invest ment in hub towns, “the highest priority being investment in water, wastewater and road infrastructure”.

Mr Hersey explains that while public water has been upgraded through the opening of the Dr umcliff water treatment facility and the road infrastructure has been upgraded with the Ennis bypass, “There has been no investment in wastewater infrastructure to date.”

Mr Hersey states that the population of Ennis is expected to grow to approximately 33, 000 by 2022, an increase on the cur rent population of 8,747 persons.

He adds, “At present there is not the capacity on the sewerage system of the town to facilitate the delivery of growth.”

The submission continues, “Since 2006 planning applications for large residential and commercial schemes have been refused in the basis of inadequate capacity in the public sewer and prematurity pending the provision of sewerage facili ties in the town.

“This cannot be the case into the future as the town cannot grow and reach its target population projections as planned until this wastewater treatment plant is upgraded.”

Describing the proposed upgrade as an “essential component of this town’s infrastructure”, Mr Hersey states, “Without it, future development in the town will stagnate and the success of the town as a hub town for the mid-west region will ultimately fail.”

KILRUSH Town Council is to make an application to the Department of Sport for over € 1 million in funding to build a new state of the art multiuse sports facility in the West Clare capital.

The development has been earmarked for Gallery Park on the Cooraclare Road, after the conclusion of negotiations between the local the authority, the ESB and the Department of Education.

“Grant aid of up to 95 per cent is available in some areas,” Kilrush Town Manager Nora Kaye told The Clare People this week.

“I think that the grant aid applicable to this case is in the region of 85 per cent. A very cost initial estimate for the entire development would be € 1.3m,” she added.

The proposed facility will include a full-size GAA pitch, two full-size training pitches, upgrade of the tennis and basketball courts, an astroturf pitch as well as dressing rooms, playground, car parking and ancillary facilities.

It is hoped that the grant will be announced in September 2011, follow- ing which construction of the first phase will commence.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Kilrush. We have waited a long time to see progress in relation to sporting with regard to the availability of land for these facilities,” said new Mayor of Kilrush Cllr Ian Lynch.

“Discussions have been held with the various sporting organisations and they are all on board with these proposals,” he added.

Kilrush town clerk John Corry said that the proposed sports complex delivers a much needed development in the town and it will provide ‘something for everyone’.

“People of all ages will be encouraged to participate in the various sports and exercise options and the completed facility will not only add to the competitive sports activities in the area but will be there to encourage people to become more active in their daily lives.

“The development of the facility will also mean that there will be employment opportunities during the construction stages and this is a welcome boost for the local economy,” added Mr Corry.

SECTIONS of the Ennis and Clarecastle sewer network will be upgraded and extended in parallel with a proposed development at the Clondroadmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), a meeting has heard.

David Timlin, Director of Environment and Water Services with Clare County Council, told an oral hearing in Ennis that money is available for the works.

It follows concerns raised at the hearing by Senior Inspector with An Bord Pleanála, Mary Kennelly and Board representative, David Kelly.

The board had sought clarification from the Council regarding the intended upgrading works for the wastewater collection system in Ennis.

In his response read out at the hearing, Thomas McKeown, associate partner with JB Barry and Partner’s Consultant Engineers, said reports in 2002 and 2011 had “identified the requirement for sewer structural rehabilitation and for upgrading and extension of the wastewater collection system in Ennis and Clarecastle”.

The Ennis Clarecastle Main Drainage Preliminary Report Addendum (July 2011) states, “It is recommended that sewer rehabilitation and sur- face water separate works be carried out in order to maximise the capacity and extend the design life of existing and upgraded wastewater treatment infrastructure, to reduce the energy costs associated with pump station operation and to provide adequate infrastructure for future development”.

Mr McKeown explained that work carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on the River Fergus certified drainage scheme (phases one and two) will “assist towards the objective of reducing the surface water component in the combined sewer network and reducing the hydraulic load to the waste water treat- ment facilities for the town”.

He continued, “This will also reduce the constituent volume of storm water entering the Clonroadmore treatment plant and will reduce periods of overflow.”

Mr McKeown explained that the “preliminary report addendum 2011 includes a recommendation for foul and surface water sewer rehabilitation in Ennis at an estimated cost of € 1.89 million excluding VAT.”

Both Ms Kennelly and Mr Kelly expressed concern over the implications of funding not being available for the sewer network upgrade.

Mr Kelly said the board had to establish if the Council could meet water surface regulations in the absence of funding for the wastewater collection system in Ennis and Clarecastle.

Mr Timlin told the hearing that the funding is in place and that the Council had already identified the “highest priority” sewer network areas in Ennis.

Responding to a question from Ms Kelly, Mr Timlin said, “Clare County Council will fund this work if necessary. It will be done in parallel with the Clonroadmore upgrade.”

Ms Kelly told the hearing that completion of the sewer upgrade works could be attached as planning condition to the Clonroadmore project.

THE MUSIC at the Feakle trad festival will be silenced for a time this week, as a mark of respect for a visiting group from Olso who put aside the trauma of mass murder to come and play in Clare.

An organised silence is planned during the festival and Clare County Council will open its offices on Saturday to allow the visiting musicians to see the book of condolences.

And it has emerged that a group of young East Clare musicians narrowly avoided beiung at the heart of the dreadful massacre.

The East Clare youth traditional music group and their leaders and helpers were just back from an exchange visit to Oslo when Anders Behring Breivik went on his killing rampage.

Speaking from Oslo as the group of young people prepared for their trip to Ireland last night, leader, Thor Hauknes, said that they have been deeply shocked and traumatised by the events, but were dertermined to come to Clare nonetheless.

“It is terrible and everyone is very shocked. Thankfully, none of the group were directly involved but one of them works very close to the building that was bombed but she was not there at the time. My daughter, Solveig, her friend was killed. She was a fiddle player and they had played fiddle since she was nine years old.”

Thor said that the long-planned trip to Clare will be part of the healing process for the youngsters.

“This youth exchange, getting to know other young people in Europe and learning about the music of Clare, that is so important. That is what it is about,” he told The Clare People.

The exchange between the young people from Norway and the music students from Clare is funded by the Leargas Youth In Action prgramme. 28 Clare youngsters and twenty leaders and helpers had just returned from a trip to Oslo when atrocity struck.

Music Teacher, Mary McNamara, said that everyone involved “was so shocked when we heard about it. (the murders). I can’t tell how wonderful the people in Oslo were to us and what a fantastic trip it was. It’s chilling to think of what happened and to think that but for the timing, our students could have been there.”

A period of silence is planned during the festival as a mark of respect and Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes has organised to be at thecouncil offices to welcome the Oslo musicians and show them the book.

The young musicians, who are aged between 15 and 21, will learn about the East Clare style at classes during the week and will take part in a joint youth concert with Clare musicians on Thursday night.

“They will stay with the Clare musicians in a group as we did in Oslo. That’s the point of the exchange. As well as learning music, they live together, eat together and get to know each other,” Mary explained.

TWO young people had a lucky escape on Sunday evening when both ended up in the water in Killaloe.

The Killaloe Coast Guard and the Shannon-based coast guard helicopter were put on high alert after a report that a man in his early twenties was in difficulty in the water south of Killaloe Bridge on Sunday. The young adult was fully clothed and his girlfriend was also in the water, having gone in to try to help him.

When Killaloe Coast Guard arrived at Ballina slip, the two young adults had made their way to safety. The two were taken home and the Killaloe Coast Guard rescue boat ‘Dalton’ returned to base. The Shannon-based coast guard helicopter was also stood down.

The coast guard has had a run of busy weekends as the holiday season gets in full swing and with the August bank holiday promised to be hot, they are expecting large crowds to come to enjoy the lakeside sports and amenities.

A spokesman for the coast guard reminded people planning a weekend of water sports to be responsible and take precautions.

“If you’re taking a boat out, always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back and make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket.”

THERE has been a positive response to a new countywide volunteer discount card with 160 Clare businesses so far signing up to support the scheme.

The Clare Volunteer Centre launched their volunteer discount card in January 2011 with the support of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Clare County Council, Ennis Town Council and the Clare Local Development Company.

The card has been created to allow volunteers access to a range of discounts and special offers from businesses around the county for 2011, The European Year of the Volunteer. 160 businesses around Clare are taking part in the scheme with 2,000 cards being issued so far.

Businesses who are involved are listed on the booklet accompanying the card and also on the website.

The Clare Volunteer Centre launched the scheme in partnership with Clare businesses in order to recognize the work of the county’s voluntary sector.

Last year, 256 people registered with the centre, an increase of 25 per cent from 2009, bringing the total number of volunteers registered at the centre to 496.

Sharon Meaney, CVC Development Co-ordinator, explained. “Acknowledging volunteers is just one method among many for businesses to become involved in their communities. Community involvement benefits not only the local community but can boost business itself.”

She continued, “The discount amount is at the discretion of the business with most giving 10 per cent. Kilrush, in particular, have seen an immense positive reaction to the card. It is seen to be building a great relationship between the community and businesses.”

Ms Meaney said, “Volunteers, now more than ever, are the backbone of many communities throughout the county. It is an ideal time, being European Year of the Volunteer, for your business to join with the community and say thank you to the volunteers who work tirelessly, giving their time, skills, experience and energy freely.”

The Clare Volunteer Centre is part of the national network of volunteer centres, supported by Volunteer Centres Ireland.

The Clare Volunteer Centre opened its doors in Ennis in 2008. Businesses interested in taking part in the scheme can contact Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

CLARE small businesses and sole traders are jumping at a chance to get their services and products on the web for next to nothing.

A course in getting a business website up and running, which the Clare County Enterprise Board intended to run for one session, has exploded in popularity with the board having had to put on eight courses and counting.

The course, sponsored by Google, web hosts Black Knight and the Enterprise Boards gets a business or any self-employed person online with their own website in just three hours of intensive work. And it costs just € 25, a fraction of the amount that a struggling business would normally have to shell out.

The scheme was set up in the wake of a study which showed that only about half of small Irish businesses have their own websites. And the chance to have a presence online is proving far more popular in Clare than in other counties involved in the nationwde scheme, according to CCEB business advisor, Lucy Reidy.

“It has really taken off. We thought we might have had interest from seven or eight small businesses or individuals but instead we’ve had 80 sign up so far and requests for places on the course are still coming in, and that’s without even adverstising it,” Lucy told The Clare People .

“From our contact with other Enterprise Boards who are running the scheme, the takeup elsewhere isn’t anything like we’ve seen in Clare.”

The course involves three hours of intensive tuition and work with train- ers. The instructors contact course particpants in advance to have them gather up pictures, prepare descriptions of the business and any other relevant information which might be needed for the site.

“After the three-hour course, people go home with their website up and running and enough tuition to make changes to it themselves. The course is open to all professionals, whether they are in retail engineering, solicitors, catering, all fields. The only restriction is that to have a ‘.ie’ site you have to be a registered company, but people don’t have to be registered to have a ‘.eu’ or ‘.com’ site,” Lucy explained.

She added that the CCEB will continue to provide the courses for “as long as people want to do them and all partcipants have to pay is the € 25 to cover things like hiring costs.”

The next course is being run on August 31 and there are still some places available.

Anyone interested can apply online through the Enterprise Board’s website or ring for information on 065 6841922.

A CLARE company has secured two extremely lucrative new outlets for its products, one being Berlin’s answer to Harrods and the other the flagship store and mail-order lists of a top US speciality foodstore, worldwide.

The Burren Smokehouse secured a listing and got their first order this week for a selection of 11 different products with KaDeWe, one of mainland Europe’s largest department store.

The Clare company is now supplying the only Irish food products in the store.

Meanwhile, the final touches are being put to having the company’s products on sale through the mailing list and in the main New York store of a major US speciality food supplier.

“We’re delighted with both of the listings, I can’t say yet who the US supplier is yet, but there are 35,000 customers a week through their store alone and that’s not even taking account of the mail order opportunity. We are hoping to get our first order from them in September,” said Smokehouse founder, Birgitta Hedin-Curtin.

Bord Bia offices in Germany and in Dublin and the Bord Bia / Smurfit Business School Fellowship students in Germany were all involved in getting the Clare fish products on the shelves in Berlin.

“KaDeWe is a historical department store and is in existance for over 100 years. It first opened 1907. Each day up to 180,000 customers from around the world are welcomed in by the 2,000 KaDeWe staff.

Now our products will feature in its world-famous gourmet department on the sixth floor. This is Berlin’s premium department store,” said Birgitta.

Burren Smokehouse attended and exhibited at the the US listing company after they exhibited at the Fancy Food Fair in Washington DC last week. The event showcased 180,000 speciality products, with 2,400 exhibitors, with more than 80 countries represented.

“The wide and varied ethnic diversity of the US means that food culture and taste trends are very dynamic in this, the largest grocery market in the world,” said Birgitta.

Helping the smokhouse products get through the door of the US deli was the Bord Bia New York office headed by Karen Coyle.

The Burren Smokehouse exhibited with their importer and distributor, Food Ireland Inc owned by Irishman Pat Coleman.

“Pat has Clare family connections so it was great to have him with us,” said Birgitta.

It is too early, Birgitta said, to assess what will come of the company’s exposure in the new market, but, she added, the Burren company will be making the most of the opportunity.

JUDGEMENT day for the Burren’s bid to become one of Europe’s official Geoparks arrives next week as two Geopark evaluators visit the area.

The evaluators, who represents Geoparks in Germany and Sicily, will spends three days in the Burren judging how tourism is operated in the area before coming to a decision on whether the area will be granted membership to the European Geopark Network. Geopark membership would mean a substantial increase in the number of tourists visiting the Burren each year and it is hope that it could provide a kick-start to a number of new eco-tourism ventures which have been launched in North Clare over the past two years.

It is hoped that an increase in ecotourism, prompted by gaining Geopark status, would lead to a sharp increase in the revenue gained by local people, with eco-tourists likely to spend a number of days in the area, rather than bussing through and staying in Galway or Limerick.

While a final decision on the Burren’s bid will not be announced until September of this year, next weeks visit will go a long way to deciding what that decision will be.

“At the moment there are 45 different Geoparks around Europe and the vast majority of them are in places that we are targeting for tourists. People recognise the Geopark name in Europe and this will help attract more tourist to the Burren,” said Ronan Hennessy of the Burren Connect Project.

“It is about the type of tourists that we are going to attract; when people see the Geopark symbol it will let them know that there is more here to explore. It’s about adding value for the local people and encouraging people to stay in the area for a number of days and not move on to Galway or Limerick.”

Next Tuesday, August 2, a group of local stakeholders will meet with the delegation to try and convince them of the Burren’s suitability.

“We have organised an event at the Burren Outdoor Education Centre which will see more that 30 people from the local tourism sector and other relevant parties meet the delegation from the two Geoparks,” continued Ronan. “The European Geopark Network is a self governing body and it’s up to its own member to decide whether a new area should be given Geopark status and whether existing members deserve to keep their status.”