Category: News

SIGNS directing tourist towards Fanore and the R479 coast road will be re-erected by Clare County Council later this week.

MOVES to name a significant piece of infrastructure after the founder of the world’s first Duty Free Zone, Dr Brendan O’Regan, was begun yesterday by Clare County Council.

The Sixmilebridge man – who died in 2008 at 90 years of age and was key to the development of industry and tourism in Clare – established Ireland’s first hotel school in Shannon in 1951 and was Chairman of the Irish Tourist Board from 1957 to 1973.

Following a motion put forward by Cllr PJ Ryan (Ind) at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, the County Manager, Tom Coughlan, has been asked to make contact with the Shannon Airport Authority to discuss renaming a major road in the area after Dr O’Regan.

It was suggested at last night’s meeting that a section of road from Drumline to the airport would be name The O’Regan Way, while it was also suggested that an area of road between Drumgeely to the airport also be renamed.

“He seems to have been honoured in every other county and every other country except for his own county. In the airport itself there has been very little recognition for him in the place where he contributed so much to,” said PJ Ryan (Ind). “I wouldn’t have a problem with the suggestion that the council talk to the airport authority in relation to this. But I know that airport authority does not move too fast so I would hope that Tom Coughlan would move this forward sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile, a disagreement concerning the council’s financial operations broke out last night meeting when Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) suggested that the local authority was not complying with its own rules for reporting budget deficits to the elected members. Cllr Kelly said that, while he did not entirely support the laws as they stood, the council was in breach of Section 104 of the Local Government Act.

County Manager Tom Coughlan said that the local authority had not overspent on its overall budget in the last two years and that the elected members would be advised before any over spend would take place.

Mr Coughlan did admit however, that minor over spends in some areas had taken place, but that these were balanced off with under spends in other areas. He said that if the Council was to take a very strict interpretation of Section 104, it would make the day to day running of the local authority almost impossible.

“Towards the end of last year the Council was able to get some extra funding from the NRA – between € 1 million and € 1.5 million. If I had to wait for four weeks to tell the [elected members of the] Council that we would be spending that money then there wouldn’t be a hope we could spend it in time,” he said.

“If there is going to be over expenditure I will, of course, bring that issue before the council. There is over expenditure in certain areas but then there’s under expenditure in other areas, but we balance the budget. If the council was to apply very strictly the issues outlined in 104 then we would be back before the Council every week. It would be impossible if I had to go back to the Council every single week.”

THREE culinary entrepreneurs will embark on a new business venture in Quin later this month.

Husband and wife, Tony Molloy and Clare Colleran McKenry and sister Colette Colleran are the team behind Quincy’s – a new 30-seater restaurant that will open in Quin in two weeks time.

Chef Colette has over 20 years experience working in restaurants and hotels in Ireland and England, including a nine-year spell in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis.

She said, “That’s where the experience really came from. I just felt that the time is right to run my own place.”

Despite the difficult business climate, Colette explained that the trio aim to work hard to ensure Quincy’s becomes a success.

She added, “The opportunity arose, the location is great and we are local to the area for almost 50 years.”

Ennis native Tony is well known in Ennis from his days at men’s clothes shop Tony’s fashions.

Tony ran the business for 21 years prior to its closure last October.

Currently employed on a seasonal basis as a starter and caddy master at Lahinch Golf Club, Tony, who previously worked at the Old Ground Hotel, said he is looking forward to the challenge of starting a new business. He continued, “I’ve always loved dealing with people and I’ve missed that part of the job very much. My skills are meeting and greeting.” Along with Tony, Clare will have responsibility for front of house du- ties in the restaurant. A practicing barrister on the South Western Circuit, Clare also has experience of working in restaurants and hotels.

She said, “Quin is a beautiful village and the restaurant will have a homely feeling and ambiance that we hope will compliment that.”

Apart from the owner/operators, it is intended that Quincy’s will employ two full-time and three parttime staff. The restaurant, which is located in the heart of Quin village, will open seven days a week, serving what Tony called “top quality food at reasonable prices”.

The restaurant has also helped raise money for the local primary school – Scoil na Mainstreach. Students were invited to enter a competition to guess the name of the restaurant with all money raised going to the school.

A wine and canapés reception will take place at Quincy’s on Wednesday July 13 (5pm to 9.30pm) followed by an official opening on Friday, July 15.

CLARE County Council is to hold a special meeting on the ongoing controversy over the iconic Ballyvaughan sign.

At last night’s Council meeting, a group of councillors put a forward a motion requesting a meeting to discuss the removal of the sign which has been strongly opposed by residents and business people in North Clare. The motion also proposed that the sign be re-installed at its original location and that it be listed as a protected structure.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) asked if the Council could provide a list of accidents that have occurred on the road near the sign. He said that it was within the remit of the Council to place a conservation order on the sign.

He added, “It was iconic and had particular relevance for people of Ballyvaughan and its removal was due to a vacuum of information.”

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said that signage is a big issue in Clare. He told the meeting that there are three different spellings of Lahinch and two different spellings of Ballyvaughan. He said, “If you were a tourist in this county you wouldn’t know whether you were coming or going.”

Cllr Arkins added that the different spellings of towns and villages had made Clare an “international laughing stock”.

Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) called for the National Roads Authority (NRA) to take a more realistic approach to signage. He said the removal of the sign had left people in North Clare feeling “outraged” and “victimised”.

He added, “The people in North Clare are relying on the sign for their livelihoods and this should be pointed out quite forcefully to the NRA.”

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) told the meeting that if the NRA had “nothing to do but to look at signs, it should be abolished”.

County Manager Tom Coughlan said there had been contacts on an hourly basis between the Council and the NRA. He said he could not comment too much on the current situation regarding the sign, as he had not yet had a chance to speak with the Director of Service.

However he added that as far as the Council was concerned, it was the view of the NRA on Friday evening that the sign should not go up.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) described the level of ambiguity coming from the NRA as “dreadful”.

RECORD numbers turned out to walk, jog and run the Clare 10K on Saturday in what has become one of the sporting highlights of the summer in the county.

The event, organised by The Clare People newspaper in conjunction with Clare Haven, was once again a major success. This is the sixth year of the event and the number of entries topped 1,300 for the first time.

Local athlete Seán Hehir won the race in a time of 29 minutes 42 seconds, while Veronica Colleran from Ennis Track Club won the women’s race.

All of the money raised from the run goes to Clare Haven, which provides support for female victims of domestic abuse and their families.

According to Services Manager with Clare Haven Denise Dunne, this event is the organisation’s biggest annual fundraiser.

“The Clare 10K is our biggest fundraiser for the year. Over the past couple of years it has become difficult to fundraise. We can’t keep the service open without fundraising,” said Ms Dunne.

“The people of county Clare have been very good in supporting the Clare 10K every year,” she added.

Colin McGann, of The Clare Peo- ple , said that while the weather was poor for the run on Saturday morning, the pouring rain didn’t dampen the spirits of most entrants.

“Around 1,100 turned up on the day, which was less than the 1,300 entrants, but thankfully the rain didn’t keep the majority of people away,” he said.

“It was a family fun day out and it is great to have the facilities at Lees Road. The running track adds another dimension to it. We are happy to support a good cause,” he said.

While several top class athletes take part every year, hundreds of walkers also participate in the event.

“And while it is becoming more competitive up the front, equally the numbers of walkers have increased every year,” he added.

Carmel Brady, of The Clare People , paid tribute to the participants and also the volunteers who helped out on the day.

“A huge thanks to all the volunteers. Complimentary refreshments were available for everybody for the first time, which was a nice touch,” she said.

“We are hoping to increase numbers again next year. People are becoming more health-conscious and there are a lot of Meet and Train running groups and walking groups across the county,” she added.

FINE GAEL’S Bill Slattery and Seán McLoughlin were co-opted to Clare County Council, at its monthly meeting yesterday.

Last Monday, the co-option of both men was postponed for a week as the council meeting was adjourned due to a number of bereavements.

Both men were welcomed to the council yesterday, where they were wished well in their new positions. The seats were vacated after their party colleagues, Tony Mulcahy (Shannon Electoral Area) and Martin Conway (North Clare Electoral Area) were appointed to the Seanad.

Cllr Slattery, whose grandfather served as a TD, said he was nervous on the special occasion.

“I will liaise with Martin Conway and my fellow members to ensure I work to the best of my ability,” he told the meeting.

He recalled his younger days in school when his then teacher, the current mayor Christy Curtin (Independent), dissected a rabbit in class. “I hope now that you don’t allow me to be dissected here,” he quipped.

Councillor John Crowe (FG) pro- posed Seán McLoughlin, who has been a Shannon town councillor since 2004. He paid tribute to his work over the years, particularly in 2007 when he served as mayor of the town at a time there was public outcry when Aer Lingus pulled the Heathrow slots from Shannon Airport. His party colleague Sonny Scanlon said that Cllr McLoughlin was joining “a very pragmatic and collaborative team” in the Shannon Electoral Area, where Cllrs Patricia McCarthy, Pat McMahon, John Crowe, Gerry Flynn and PJ Ryan were working very well. Cllr McLoughlin said he intended to work with councillors in the Shannon Electoral Area over the coming years and said he will focus on Shannon Airport during this time on the council. “Shannon Airport is still suffering. That’s something I’m going to be fighting for,” he said. Several councillors warmly welcomed the newcomers to the chamber. Fianna Fáil councillor Richard Nagle said that Mr Slattery has been a “tremendous community activist and has made a huge contribution to the life of North Clare”.

Independent councillor Patricia McCarthy congratulated her neighour in Shannon, Cllr McLoughlin. She said he worked well with her during the Aer Lingus Heathrow issue in 2007 when she was mayor of the county and he was mayor of Shannon town.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said the two new councillors had “a very hard act to follow” and said the two newlyelected Senators were “great team players”.

Tributes were also paid yesterday to Fine Gael TDs Pat Breen, who has been appointed the Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Trade and Foreign Affairs and Joe Carey, who has been appointed the assistant government chief whip.

AFTER 34 years in existence, the Ennis Evangelical Church has found a permanent home of worship.

The official opening of the new church will take place this Saturday (June 25) at unit six, block E of the Quin road business park, at 3pm.

Church member Margaret Angland explained that the church was founded in Ennis in 1997 by a small group of people who met regularly for prayer and bible study. Over the past 34 years the Ennis Evangelical Church has rented various premises to meet, worship, pray and study. Now the church has managed to purchase and renovate its own premises.

“Ennis Evangelical Church is made up of all ages, races and backgrounds. As a church we reach out to the community with the good news of the gospel of hope,” said Margaret.

The church holds a club for children in Cloughleigh Community Centre on a Friday. There is also a youth club run in the church where teens meet and learn about the Bible. The church holds weekly Bible studies on a Tuesday at 8pm, which is open to anyone who wishes to come along. Sunday morning service starts at 10.30am.

ENNIS Town Council is to contact businesses in the town to request the removal of temporary signs from roads and footpaths.

Town clerk Eddie Power told the June meeting of Ennis Town Council that the number of temporary advertising signs has “increased significantly throughout the town”.

However local councillors have warned against a policy of “absolute regulation”, saying it could harm businesses and create tensions.

Acknowledging that businesses are operating in a difficult economic climate, Mr Power stated, “These signs may cause obstruction to users of the public footpath and they may pose a risk to the personal safety of road users. Furthermore, the town of Ennis has an established record of high achievement in the Tidy Towns com- petition. The number of temporary advertising signs currently visible on the footpaths around the town detract from the image of the town and may have a negative impact on the marks awarded by the tidy towns adjudicators in this national competition.”

He added, “It is intended to contact the relevant businesses responsible for such temporary advertising signage requesting removal of same. It should be noted that the Council has the legal authority to remove such signage if the request is not complied with.” However councillors were skeptical about the policy.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said he had not received any complaints about signs. He added, “Do we want to cripple the town altogether.”

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said, “Businesses find it difficult enough. Where does it end? Does it mean that Jimmy Brohan [local businessman] can’t put goods outside his shop.”

Cllr Peter Considine (FF) urged the Council to pursue a “softly, softly approach”, adding that he was “very nervous of absolute regulation”.

Cllr Considine said that by forcibly removing signs, the Council risked creating unnecessary tensions with the business community. He added, “I would be inclined to let the hare sit.”

PART of Clare is going to be taken into Limerick when a decision is made in cabinet today on the Limerick boundary extension.

In a leak from a reliable source in advance of today’s decision, The Clare People has learned that land in Clare which has been, or is earmarked for, development by the University of Limerick is to come under Limerick’s control.

But fears that parts of Westbury, Shannon Banks and even Meelick and Parteen might be taken by Lim- erick in a boundary extension can be laid to rest.

It has also been leaked that no residential land in the Banner will be taken into the new super authority which will result from the amalgamation of the city and county councils in Limerick.

While anti-boundary extension activists in Clare have welcomed the fact that residential areas will be left alone, many are less than happy that the UL land is going into Limerick City.

“While the fact that no residential areas are to go into Limerick is to be welcomed, people are concerned that if one extension (of the Limerick boundary) is allowed in the campus area this will pave the way for future extensions,” said local councillor Cathal Crowe (FF).

“Clare has always facilitated UL in extending the university campus and that collaborative arrangement has worked very well. There is no need for the boundary to be changed. People will not be happy about this or the implications for the future and it will be opposed,” he said.

Jim Gullt, Chairman of the AntiBoundary Extension Committee, said that they will wait to read the Minister’s speech and see the official announcement before reacting.

In relation to the leak which points to Clare land in UL becoming part of Limerick, he said: “Our position is still the same. There is to be no cherry picking with this. It’s not the case that we’ll say ‘Okay, you left Westbury alone so we’ll concede UL’ – we are 100 per cent that no part of Limerick is to come into Clare.”

A spokeswoman for UL said they would make no comment until after the official announcement is made today.

COILLTE and smaller forestry contractors may be forced to pay for damage done to roads as a result of transporting trees in rural parts of the county.

An estimated 200,000 tonnes of timber was transported on the county’s roads last year, with this figure expected to treble in the coming years. According to councillors at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, roads in rural areas of North and East Clare have been destroyed in recent years as a result of the transportation of large amounts of timber. The Clare People understands that Clare County Council has entered into negotiations with Coillte with a view to working on some sort of road management plan for the forestry companies and a means of gaining reparations should damage be done.

“They are removing timber out to roads and these roads are not able to take the weight of the timber being removed. I think that Coillte need to provide us with a five-year plan where trees have to be felled or thinned out. They should at the very least supply a list of what roads they intend to use and these plan should need to be ap- proved by the county engineer,” said Cllr Michael Hillery (FF).

“This problem is going to get worse as time goes on. I know that right now roads are being damaged all over the county and I think it will take a lot of money to put these roads back to a level that will be acceptable to the local people.”

At present just over 13 per cent of the area of the county is covered in forestry with half of this being managed by Coillte. Commenting on the matter, Cllr Michael Beagley (FG), said that the current situation was ‘hell on earth’ for local residents.

“The level of support that Coillte give is often tempered because they have the excuse that other forestation in taking place along those roads,” he said.

“Quite a lot of private operators are growing trees in Clare and we should not give them [Coillte] an excuse to pay less than they should, but at the same time they shouldn’t have to pay everything if other private operators are in place. This is hell on earth to the local residents and the council needs to put something in place to deal with this problem, in a comprehensive way.”

According to the Council, negotiations are currently ongoing between Clare County Council and Coillte.

“We have found that in recent times there has been better engagement between ourselves and Coillte. In recent times Coillte have allocated some money to roads in the county,” said a council spokesperson.

“It may not be possible to have a one size fits all approach [for Coillte and the private operators]. We are at the early days of trying to formalise something and it makes sense to talk to the largest operator and I think that under these circumstances it would be easier for other operators to come on board once we have this formalised.”