This article is from page 55 of the 2008-11-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 55 JPG
KILRUSH is a town that has been unnecessarily hard on itself.
It is a maritime town, with a herit- age that local history groups around the country can only dream about. It has a community spirit that 1s unique for an urban environment and its people have a sense of identity and belonging that is both welcoming TOO Ms Nu0F
Yet for so long the town has had a major concern over how the rest of the county and country perceives it.
It had – like many urban centres – its anti-social and crime problems, orchestrated by a small group that had for a while infected the psyche and self-belief of this charismatic town.
Many community and _ business leaders were critical that the town they loved was given negative public- ity on a daily basis and feared that all the good work was being ignored.
It became critical of the messen- gers, but failed to see the entire mes- SERSZoR
But of late, Kilrush has been win- ning significant battles in its cam- paign to become a centre of business to challenge the county town, while retaining its unique west Clare iden- WIAA
The town council began work on John Paul Estate, long before na- tional Government saw the merits in developing local authority estates
to include community facilities and tackle pockets of urban decay where criminal activities could fester.
The mothers and fathers of John Paul Estate will soon have a place to bring up their children in safety and happiness. These good people have for so long put up with unacceptable elements in their community but the Kilrush spirit has seen them fight to reclaim their homes and a decent quality of life for the next genera-
tion.
At the other end of the town, an- other chapter of the town’s story is unfolding at the Kilrush Creek Ma- unt
While a €50 million development may be delayed or altered because of the recession, there is no doubt that the people of Kilrush are determined to see such a development there some day in the not so distant future.
At the turn of this century when
the economy was just about to grow, Kilrush boasted a marina develop- ment that is impressive even by to- day’s standards, a development the people now plan to build upon.
Just a few hundred yards away, the Merchant Quay Development had brought a new lease of life to the rey aee
National and international retailers are also showing faith in the town with Super Valu, Tesco and now
Aldi jostling for position in the retail market.
Talks are in progress to build a new community building to house the many voluntary and semi-state or- ganisations supporting the town.
Thousands of visitors visit the area every year to see the spectacular Vandeleur Walled Gardens, Scattery Island and the Marina.
The Yacht Club has gone from strength to strength in the town, and now attracts regattas to the west Clare coast. The club has also brought in- ternational acclaim to the town with the successes of “Chieftain” and the “Spirit of Kilrush”’.
Festivals such as Eigse Mrs Crotty have attracted music lovers from all over the world, and as other Irish towns failed to attract civil servants under the Government’s decentrali- sation project, Kilrush secured more than 50 jobs in the new Revenue Of- fices.
A new hotel is badly needed in Kil- rush, but even that is at hand with L and M Keating committing itself to such a project.
From its town council to its cham- ber of commerce; from its volunteer groups to its sporting organisation, there is an openess dealing with dai- ly issues that gets things done.
In an era when political bodies and groups fear speaking their minds, in Kilrush there is an honesty of opin- ion that you may not always agree with but will always respect.