Category: News

ONE of Ennis’ best known pieces of sculpture, ‘Icarus’, should be unveiled at its new home on the Rocky Road roundabout in June, according to Ennis Town Council.

The 11-tonne statue had occupied a place on a roundabout at the heart of the market area of the town prior to its removal in December 2006.

The statue, which is currently been stored on the grounds of the council office’s at Waterpark House, is due to be moved to another roundabout on a section of the N85 Western Relief Road.

Speaking last week, town clerk Eddie Power explained, “The size and weight of the statue is fairly significant so an appropriate base to hold the statue at the roundabout has to be designed. That design work is almost complete and then we will prepare a schedule for tenders to carry out the work.”

Mr Power added that he “expected Icarus to be in place on the Rocky Road roundabout, roughly by the end of June”. The statue was designed by the renowned Irish sculptor John Behan.

It was gifted to Ennis Town Council by the former Shannon-based company Guinness Peat Aviation in 1990, to mark the town’s 750 year anniversary. Behan titled his work Daedalus though it became known locally as Icarus.

Former Irish Ambassador to the USA and Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Donlon, welcomed the news that Icarus would return and told The Clare People , just how the piece was commissioned by the late Tony Ryan.

“In 1990, Ennis was celebrating 750 years since its foundation – and asked GPA to make a contribution to the celebrations. The late Tony Ryan, GPA’s founder and then its chief executive, decided that we would do something and after some internal discussions hit on the idea of commissioning Ireland’s leading sculptor, John Behan, to do a piece which would be publicly displayed in the town. Behan was by now well established. Behan was fussy about where his works would be displayed and Tony Ryan was equally fussy about how GPA’s money would be spent. On a wet Saturday afternoon in 1990, Tony, John and I walked the streets of Ennis looking for an appropriate site. I had grown up on Bindon Street (no. 11, now Michael Houlihan’s law offices) and thought a site there would be good but Tony thought this was too elitist. Eventually, we settled on the Market Square site and, happily, the council accepted this site. The piece was put in place and, on behalf of GPA, where I was executive vice-president, I unveiled it. There was a reception afterwards in the Old Ground Hotel. For me it was an emotional return to Ennis where my brother Tomas had been killed in the Carmody Hotel collapse in 1958. It was also the last time my father, a former school inspector for County Clare, visited Ennis,” recalled Sean.

Icarus’ place in the market will be taken by a new piece by local sculp- tor Barry Wrafter. The piece will be installed in the market area of Ennis and will be the latest addition to the town’s ever-growing sculpture trail.

The statue, which shows two farmers and cow, is inspired by Ennis’ market tradition.

The sculpture is a joint initiative between Ennis Tidy Towns and the Ennis Sculpture Initiative. Mr Power explained, “It’s appropriate in terms of its depiction of the Ennis area. The pieces involved should be in place by June. As in the case of Icarus, it’s significant in terms of its size and weight.”

The new statue had been welcomed by local businesses. Donie Neylon, whose men’s clothes shop business has operated in the market since the 1950s, said a statue should be located in the area. “It’s a very big space [the roundabout]. There should be something on it.”

On hearing that Icarus would soon be on public display again Sean Donlon promised a ‘second relaunch’.

“It would be great to see it restored. Tony Ryan deserves it, John Behan deserves it – incidentally, he has gone on to many great honours at home and abroad – and most of all the people of Ennis deserve it. To mark the second coming, my former GPA colleagues and I will have another reception in the Old Ground Hotel!” said Sean.

THE Clare Volunteer Centre is in desperate need of funding in order to keep the organisation opening and operating to full capacity.

According to information revealed at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, the Clare centre receives the lowest funding of any volunteers centre in the country.

“Clare is the lowest funded in Ireland and has a very small funding allocation compared to other counties,” said Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG).

“We have a history of getting extraordinary results for a much smaller sum of money in Clare. We are getting treated very badly by central government compared to other counties.”

These sentiments were echoes by Cllr PJ Ryan (Ind), who is also involved in the centre.

“This would be a serious loss to Clare if we would lose this centre. They do incredible work and we get great value for every bit of money spent on the centre,” Cllr Ryan added.

“We need to take action on this and not allow for this facility to be lost to us because of a lack of money. Volunteers do great work and we need to support everything that they do especially at this time of economic difficulty.”

Meanwhile, Clare County Council will write to the Department of Agriculture asking them not to renege on a promise to provide information points at marts for farmers. This follows to motion put forward at yesterday’s meeting by Cllr Michael Hillery (FF), who said it was the least that could be done following the closure of the departments facility in Clare last year.

“There are more than 5,000 herd owners in Clare. The Minister of Agriculture need to set up facilities at the various marts around Clare so that farmers can get the information they need,” he said.

THE future of tourism in Newmarket -on-Fergus will be outline at a public meeting which will take place in the town this Thursday.

A feasibility study is currently being undertaken by Obair to determine what steps need to be taken to boost the tourism figures in the locality.

Members of the public have been invited to take part in this process, which could see a heritage centre, tourist office and budget accommo- dation being constructed in the area.

“We have nothing in Newmarket at the moment which promotes our heritage and our tourism product. We need a centre or an information point where people who come to the area can get the information they need about the locality and then get out for the day,” said organiser Tracey Mc Nulty.

“We will be looking for a suitable location for this centre and talking to all the community to find out what they want. One of the main points of this is to come up with a tourism plan for the area so that we can promote the area in an organised way.”

The project wants to publicise some of the lesser known tourist and herit age sites in the locality such as the great Newmarket gold find, the Hillfort at Mooghaun and a local tourist heritage trail.

“We want to find out exactly what the village needs and it is critical that the local people contribute to this process. We are talking about very simple things here, like the fact that Newmarket doesn’t have any budget accommodation,” continued Tracey.

“The town is missing a lot of little things which are needed to make it an attractive place for tourists to stop and visit. We need to identify what we need first of all and then come up with the ways of getting funding for these things.

“At this point it’s all about consulting as widely as possible and letting people have their say now, before anything is decided.”

The public meeting will take place at the Obair offices in Newmarket on Fergus, this Thursday, March 31, from 8pm.

A NEW plan that would pave the way for a building boom in Clonlara and transform the east Clare village into semi-town status has been lodged with the planning section of Clare County Council.

If the plans of Keelgrove Construction Ltd are given the green light by the local authority, Clonlara’s population would be significantly increased as the planning application proposes the building of 38 new houses together with a town-centre development.

The application was lodged by Keelgrove last week, with the proposed town-centre development involving the “construction of commercial/retail centre comprising of doctor’s surgery, dentist surgery, pharmacy, shops, supermarket and offices”.

The application was submitted by Keelgrove as part of renewed attempts to get the ambitious project off the ground. The plans were originally submitted to the local authority last June, but objections were raised by a group representing Clonlara residents.

The Residents of Clonlara Village group deemed that the development plans would “obliterate” Clonlara and turn the rural village into a satellite of Limerick, without any proper public transport infrastructure being in place.

“We believe the development would obliterate the rural integrity of the village and turn it into a dormitory suburb of Limerick City,” said the residents group. “We note that the developer indicates a ‘Phase 2’ development of a further 27 houses. The two phases together would more than double the number of houses in the village, and it would triple the number of commercial units in Clonlara.

“This would generate much increased traffic in and around the village, with consequent risks to our security and safety. We ask that the council consider if such a scale of development is warranted and appropriate for the proper planning of the village, with regard to the National Spatial Strategy, the Clare County Development Plan, Clonlara Local Area Plan, and the projected demographic profile of the locality for the next ten years.”

In its submission to the planning authority, spokesperson for the Clare branch of An Taisce, Anny Wise said “we are concerned that this development has no demand for it and that there are empty dwellings within the village and this would only add to them”.

Clare County Council’s planning authority is expected to deliver a verdict on the application by in early April.

A TOTAL of 491 students from Clare have entered paintings in this year’s 57th Texaco Children’s Art Competition, the winners of which will be revealed next month.

In excess of 30,000 entries were received with students from each of the 32 counties taking part.

Judging of entries is currently taking place and winners will be announced in early-April. This will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony which takes place in May.

Pictured admiring three of the en- tries received from Clare are competition coordinator Annemarie Barnes (left) and competition adjudicator and well-known artist Dr Denise Ferran. Ms Barnes is holding a work entitled ‘In The Wild’ by 15-year-old Ryan Fleming from Ennis, a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart. Dr Ferran is holding a work entitled ‘Our Beautiful Coast’ by 16-year-old Michelle Clancy from Kilrush, a pupil at Kilrush Community School and another entitled ‘Beautiful Butterflies’ by 14-year-old Ashling McCann from Cranny, Kilrush, also a pupil at St John Bosco, Kildysart.

THE elected members of Clare County Council yesterday went against the expressed wishes of County Manager, Tom Coughlan, by adopting the new East Clare Local Area Plan including a resolution to zone an area for the possible future development of a marina in Killaloe.

Following more then two hours of heated debate and detailed legal advice, the elected members of the local authority voted by 19 votes to four in favour of passing the revised plan, with four councillors abstaining from the vote.

It now remains to be seen whether the county manager will decided to use his executive function to over rule the decision of the elected members.

“The overriding concern as far as I am concerned in tourism development. The history of this development and this debate is very important. This is like a test case for all of this new regulation which has been passed down to us. These issues are appropriate to everyone – a similar situation could arise down in Loop Head or up in the Burren,” said Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“I think that if we can develop a marina in Killaloe then I feel that that is in the overriding public interest of the people of Clare.”

The final decision was arrived at by the elected members following a series of proposals and counter proposals which led to a number of loud shouting matches across council chambers and the meeting being adjourned on two separate occasion.

The first difficulty arose when expressed some concerns about the discussion being conducted in public and asked for a legal opinion on whether some details of the plan should be discussed in camera.

This prompted angry scenes in the council chambers with Shannon cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) eventually proposing and winning a vote to have the matter discussed in from of the media and the assemble public.

However, the meeting descended into chaos when a second proposal, calling for a 10 minute recess to allow for councillors to contemplate the plan was also voted on and passed by the councilors.

The Mayor of Clare, Christy Curtin (IND) ruled that the two motions were not in conflict and councillors could both have a ten minute break to “contemplate” the motion before discussing the motion in council chambers.

This prompted an angry outburst between Cllrs Gerry Flynn and Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) when the Shannon council alluded to the type of discussion which may have taken place during the 10 minute break.

At the request of Mayor Christy Curtin, Cllr Flynn eventually withdrew the remarks.

CONSTRUCTION WORK on the multi-million euro pier in Doolin could get underway before the beginning of the summer following last nights decision by Clare County Council to grant Part Eight planning permission to the controversial development.

Following a protracted planning procedure, councillors at last nights meeting of the local authority voted unanimously to grant planning permission to the long awaited development, despite objections from a number of local and national surf organisers.

More than 30 members of the local Doolin community packed the offices of Clare County Council yesterday to hear the matter being debated. Each of the Doolin locals held up signs which read “Support Doolin Pier” as the planning permission was being discussed.

Speaking after the Part Eight planing permission had been granted, County Engineer Tom Tiernan said that tender process for the development will be started in weeks with the construction work not likely to be finished until 2012.

The original planning permission for the pier came before last Decembers meeting of Clare County Council but a decision on this was deferred by County Manager, Tom Coughlan, to allow for more public consultation to take place.

In total more than 30 individual planning submission were put forward in relation to the project with a number of other submission coming from organisation from all over the country.

Speaking before the planning permission was granted, Ennistymon based councillor Richard Nagle, said that the pier had the potential to generate hundreds of jobs for the people of north Clare.

“I would like to propose that we proceed immediately with this project – it is imperative that we go ahead with this without delay. We have spent months considering this, it has already been delayed.

“There are several interests groups in Doolin pier and all of those interests much be taken into account,” he said.

“We now must take a once in lifetime opportunity to enhance the tourism life of North Clare.

“This has the potential to make Doolin the main departure and arrival point to the Aran Islands and to create a huge amount of jobs in the north Clare area and in the wider community.”

Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) said that his concerns about the safety of the surf access at the pier and the integrity of local surfing waves had been addressed during the planning process.

“I would have had very serious concerns about the damage that this might have had on the surfing product in the area but I am now satisfied that the consultation and wave monitoring which has been carried out by Clare County Council,” Councillor Flynn said.

A COUPLE from North Clare escaped being sent to prison yesterday after undertaking not to interfere with their neighbour’s use of a right of a way.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Joseph Scales of Calluragh, Ennistymon, made an application to have Patrick J Madigan and his wife, Anne Madigan, committed to prison over the breach of a circuit order in relation to the right of way.

Patrick J Madigan admitted in court that he had breached the order regarding the right of way since it was introduced in July 2010.

Mr Madigan claimed that he had been forced to do so in an effort to protect his home from damage caused by the passing of machinery along the right of way.

Judge Moran was told that the dispute between the neighbours has been before the court “countless occasions” over the past number of years.

Garda Colm Collins told the court that on December 3, 2010, he observed Patrick J Madigan and his son, Joe Madigan, step out in front of Mr Scales’ tractor. Gda Collins said that the Madigans gestured to Mr Scales to stop and to go no further.

Sgt Brian Howard told the court that on November 28, 2010, an allegation was made to him regarding the blocking of the right of way.

Gardaí subsequently retrieved CCTV footage of the incident captured by cameras installed by the Madigan’s.

CCTV footage from November 28, 2010, played in court yesterday showed Joe Madigan exiting a door way and then standing in front of Mr Scales’ tractor.

Further footage then showed Mr Scales and Joe Madigan “tussling” and falling on the ground.

Mr Scales told the court that on November 28, 2010, he had gone to feed a pony and foal when he encountered Joe Madigan.

Patrick J Madigan told the court that he had to “take a stand” against Mr Scales’ machinery travelling along the right of way because he feared further damage being caused to his house.

Judge Moran put it to Mr Madigan that even though the court had ruled that Mr Scales was entitled to bring tractor and other machinery up the right of way, Mr Madigan’s stance now was “don’t mind what the court is saying”. Counsel for Mr Scales, Patrick Whyms, told the court that he was “seeking a committal order for the defendants”.

Judge Moran requested that the Madigan’s to take an unconditional and “solemn understanding” not to block the right of way.

Under oath, both Patrick J Madigan and Anne Madigan agreed not to interfere with Mr Scales’ right of way. Judge Moran gave Mr Whyms liberty to re-enter the motion but adjourned the matter of costs. Judge Moran warned the couple that they would be forced to pay costs as well as face other matters, if they breached the order.

THE second highest number of complaints made to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga came from Clare, a new report shows.

Of complaints received by Seán Ó Cuirreáin’s office 9.5 per cent came from Clare, compared to 9 per cent in Galway, 6 per cent in Kerry, 4 per cent in Donegal and 3 per cent in Mayo. The highest number of complaints (41 per cent) were made by people in Dublin.

The report looked at the level of service provided through Irish to customers by public service bodies.

The report states that in one instance, “An Coimisinéir Teanga decided, as a result of an investigation, that Iarnród Éireann was in contravention of its statutory duties in relation to certain signage erected in Ennis, County Clare.”

The report explains, “A series of complaints were made to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga with regard to various Iarnród Éireann signs, alleging that they were not in compliance with the language requirements in signage legislation. The complaints concerned the signage at train stations, in car parks and at a new level crossing on the western route between Galway and Ennis.”

According to the report, “Based on the case put forward by Iarnród Éireann, An Coimisinéir Teanga considered it likely that these problems with the signage had arisen because of changes that had taken place over the years and because of misunderstandings in relation to the legislation.

“Iarnród Éireann indicated in its reply that ‘the signs included in the investigation are in place for many years’ (translation) and ‘generally the signage at level crossings are in English’ (translation). The investigation did not accept that either of these two arguments could be accepted as an excuse for neglecting to make the necessary corrections.

According to Mr Ó Cuireáin, “This investigation could have been avoided completely and the matter could have been dealt with on an informal basis if the public body had put its position in writing at the start.”

Despite the criticism, one Irish language activist in Ennis has welcomed efforts by Iarnród Éireann to make all signs bilingual.

Announcements on trains are now being made in Irish while upgraded signage has been placed at ticket offices, car parks and buses. The man, who did not wish to be named, said, “Another first for the town. The growing presence of Irish at Ennis station will surely contribute to the sustainability of the language through increased visibility and status.”

A NEW discount store in Shannon, which will employ 12 people, is expected to play a pivotal role in increasing business in the town centre by at least 10 per cent. That’s the prediction of the manager of SkyCourt shopping centre Pat Kelly, who said he is optimistic that Buy Lo will attract huge numbers of shoppers to the centre.

A number of businesses in SkyCourt have closed in recent months including fashion outlet Pink, Roxy Records, Cafe 2000 and Bank of Ireland. Nevertheless Mr Kelly remains optimistic about the future.

“We have 65 units open at the moment. There are 13 or 14 vacant. How many have they vacant in Ennis? 70. In the last two months alone we let a small grocery supermarket, Jen, which does ethnic foods. What I’m finding is that recently we are getting a lot of enquiries about people who are trying to start up businesses,” he said.

“It has been a difficult 12 months. Our footfall figures were only down eight per cent last year, but the spend of the customers wouldn’t be the same,” said Mr Kelly.

“We are weathering the downturn reasonably well and the decision by Buy Lo to locate here gives us great confidence for the remainder of 2011 and beyond,” he said.

Mr Kelly said that the plan to attract anchor tenant Buy Lo – which will open in SkyCourt next week – had been on the cards for the past two years.

“We were working on it for the past two years. We had to go for planning which held it up for a few months and then negotiations and then we had to fit out the store,” said Mr Kelly.

“We’d be hoping with Buy Lo we would get back the figures we had in 2006/2007; that’s about 12 or 13 per cent,” he said.

Buy Lo will occupy 65 per cent of the unit previously held by Tesco. Additional car parking has been created to the back of the premises. The entire unit has been gutted and subdivided. Repairs have been carried out to the roof, while new flooring has been put in place.

“Their [Buy Lo] prices are very reasonable. They are the Irish version of Lidl and Aldi. I’d be very confident that it will bring a lot of people from Ennis and further afield,” said Mr Kelly. “I feel that Buy Lo is going to be a great bonus for us. In the times we are in, it is ideal because it is discount products and that’s what people want,” he said.