This article is from page 12 of the 2013-06-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A BUSLOAD of tourists were sent on an extensive tour of West Clare which would not be an issue if that was their original intention.
However at the time the bus driver was attempting to drive the less than impressed passengers directly from Mullagh to Kilimer in time for the ferry, but poor road signage sent him on a tour through Doonbeg, Bellaha and into Kilkee before making the journey back to Killimer. Needless to say the tourists did not make their intended crossing on schedule and were delayed reaching Kerry as a result.
Kilrush Town Councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) said it was time for the council to follow through on a promise to upgrade signage, especially on approach roads to the town of Kilrush.
As a result of the 35 kilometre detour an appointment to have food in Kilrush also had to be cancelled.
“That was lost business to Kilrush,” said the local councillor.
“I am all for promoting West Clare and keeping tourists as long as possible in the area to sample the many attractions we have here.
“Signage should certainly offer tourists alternative destinations, but in this instance it was misguided and deceptive.
“That can be a great source of annoyance and irritation for some visitors on a tight schedule,” he said.
There is some hope for disgruntled bus drivers and bemused tourists however as Síobhan Garvey, Marketing and Development Officer in Kilrush said that the National Roads Authority is currently re-signing the national secondary N67 route from Miltown Malbay to Kilimer.
This will include the Kilkee Kilimer approach roads.
“As part of the process that will also be removing unlicensed roadside signage. The installation of their new signage scheme will provide clear directional guidance to the visiting motoring public and will include some tourist signage,” she said.
The marketing officer recognised that signage has been an issue in the area.
“There are plans to look in more detail at the Ennis approach road as a starting point by the Tidy Towns Liason Committee in the coming months.
“However both the Town Council and Tidy Town Committee are conscious that the NRA have not completed their signage project on the N67 and would like to see the outcome of this project so a clear plan can be put in place to deal with what signage needs to stay or be removed from the other approach roads in order to provide some unity to the entry – exit points of the town,” she said.