Month: April 2006

LAST week’s opening marks the first step towards the completion of the €31.5 million Cliffs of Moher Visitors’ Experience. The remaining phase, which includes a subterranean visitor centre building and further cliff edge works in the area of O’Brien’s Tower, is expected to be open early in 2007.

Along with the development of a new visitor centre, Clare County Council also envision the development of a comprehensive programme of visitor and education activities at the site.

A team of rangers will be employed to operate on the cliff edge and within the visitor centre building providing information, guiding and first aid, as well as providing a safety role.

Plans for a visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher have been muted for many years. These plans were originally held up due to concerns over the environmental impact that a centre might have on the surrounding area.

With this resolved, an international competition was launched to design the new visitors centre. This was won by Cork based company Reddy/ O’Riordan/Staehli Architects. The contract to build the new centre was awarded to Rohcon Ltd.

However, the projects was further delayed due to a disagreement between Shannon Development and Clare County Council over what role each organisation would have with the development and management of the visitors centre. In more recent times the Cliffs of Moher Visitors’ Experience has met with controversy over attempts to prevent buskers and traders from operating at the cliffs. This situation is ongoing with Clare County Council stating their intention to go to the High Court to seek injunctions against traders.

THE official leading the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre project has confirmed that the council is in talks with US-based business people in order to secure corporate sponsorship.

Ger Dollard expressed confidence that the talks, involving business people with Irish links and aimed at bridging the €4 million shortfall in the €31.5 million project, would bear fruit.

In spite of the shortfall, Mr Dollard expressed confidence that the centre would be completed on time and within budget.

However, the costs of visiting one of Ireland’s best known attractions is set to soar under a new pricing regime.

It will cost €8 per car and €60 per standard coach from next year when the centre becomes operational. Currently, it costs individuals €4 to park any vehicle.

Tourists face an additional charge of €4 per adult, for visiting the interpretative centre, while concession rates for groups, families, children and others will also apply.

When the centre opens next year, 94 people will be employed at peak season, including a team of 16 rangers to provide guided tours to visitors.

Last Friday, Junior Enterprise and Employment Minister, Tony Killeen, officially opened the the first phase of the project, consisting viewing platforms, 300 metres of cliff edge pathways and seating areas at the cliffs.

Mr Dollard also revealed that the council would accommodate buskers at the Cliffs.

“This must be a managed controlled way and we will be going through a process later in the year to seek expressions of interest to progress this,” he said.

According to Mr Dollard, the new charges would “reflect the vastly enhanced facilities both in and out of doors.” He described the new prices as “excellent value”.

“The original charging philosophy in which a single charge of €7 per head for access to all aspects of the visitor experience has been replaced with an alternative, more flexible approach.

“A visitor could spend up to two hours in the interpretative centre if they wished to do so, as well as an unlimited amount of time on the cliff edge and in the public areas of the visitor centre, plus the support of the rangers”.

Mr Dollard said that the new rates were comparable to other visitor attractions in the area, including Ailwee Cave, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, the Burren Centre and Blarney Castle.

THE first phase of the new Cliffs of Moher Visitors’ Experience was officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Tony Kileen last Friday. The €31.5 million project represents the biggest capital expenditure on a single tourism project ever in the history the county.

Phase one on the project incorporates some 300 metres of cliff edge pathways, viewing platforms and seating areas looking out over the cliffs facade and is now open to the public.

Opening the first phase, Minister Killeen was highly complementary of the work that has been done.

“I think it is fair to say that the project fully respects the natural environment of the Cliffs and is in keeping with the overall integrity of the site,” said the Minister.

The new viewing platform provides views from the Cliffs of Moher to Hags Head in the south, as well as the vista over Liscannor Bay. The platform, which is paved with Liscannor stone and faced with limestone, has been specially designed with multiple seating terraces to allow for visitor seating.

The existing cliff pathways have been extended to the south and a new raised platform allows views to the north towards O’Brien’s Tower and the Aran Islands. This platform also provides a vantage point to view Goat Island, the low grassy promontory below the tower, which is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Ireland.

The cliff’s famous Liscannor slab walls have been restored and extended and the grassy areas outside the walls have been made into an ecological reconstruction. The cliff edge has been sanctioned a Special Area of Protection (SAP) under the European Union Birds and Habitats directives.

Ealls have been designed to make it more difficult for visitors to go out on the extreme cliff edge.

A MAN who was “caught red handed” with ten Rohypnol tablets claimed in court that he took them to come down off another drug.

Josef Duna (39), of Pineview Estate, Killarney, and who is originally from the Czech Republic, admitted possessing the Rohypnol tablets – commonly known as the date rape drug – and three wraps of speed, in Ennis, in July 2005.

The court was told the street value of the drugs was €110.

Defending solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said her client paid over money to the alleged supplier when gardaí arrived on the scene.

She said her client, a father-ofthree and a kitchen porter, moved to Ireland six years ago. He hadn’t taken drugs for five years before this incident and was not a regular drug user, she said. The solicitor pointed out that one of the uses for Rohypnol was for an acute sleep disorder.

“The speed he was found with is a particularly potent form of speed. The Rohypnol tablets were to come down off the speed,” she said.

She said her client was in a position to offer money to the court poorbox and that he was at a low risk of reoffending.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the case, to allow for a professional report on drug and alcohol abuse to be carried out.

THE search is on for the next Clare Rose and entries are now being invited to choose our representative in the Kerry Festival.

Entrants can complete an application form and return it to Clare Rose, c/o Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis with a sponsorship fee of €200.

Clubs, societies, associations, businesses, family or friends are invited to nominate contestants. The Gala Rose Selection will be held at the West County Hotel, on May 12, and the new Clare Rose will contest the Irish Regional Final in Tralee on June 9 and 10.

Eligibility criteria for the International Rose of Tralee contest include that entrants must be aged between 18 and 28 years, be of Irish birth or ancestry and be single without children. Closing date for applications is Friday, April 28.

AN English company has failed to secure the go ahead for a “Wellness” destination spa hotel near Killaloe.

An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission to Unfinity Ltd., of Worcestershire, England to develop a 28-bedroom hotel on 37 acres of land.

Last August, Clare County Council refused the application, ruling that the proposal would seriously injure the amenities of the area and generate dangerous traffic congestion on local roads.

The council’s planners also warned that the development’s scale, siting and design would fail to integrate into the rural landscape.

In their appeal to An Bord Pleanala, the company said their proposal was aimed at a niche market known as “Wellness” destination spas.

“The destination spa’s sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming and on-site accommodation.

The Board refused planning permission on a number of grounds following their inspector’s recommendation to refuse.

The Board stated that the site of the proposal was located outside any identified settlement in a rural area under development pressure and it was the policy of the council to encourage the development of integrated tourist facilities in, or adjacent to, existing settlements.

“This policy is considered reasonable. It is considered that the proposed development, located in a rural area lacking certain services and infrastructure, would militate against the preservation of the rural environment and, by reason of its scale, setting and design, would fail to integrate into the landscape and would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area.

“The proposed development would, therefore, contravene the provisions of the Development Plan and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

A SENIOR member of Clare County Council said yesterday that council planners should be able to carry out their daily work without the fear of physical threat.

Leader of the Fianna Fáil group and trenchant critic of the council’s planning system, Councillor PJ Kelly (FF), was commenting after a 42year-old father of two, twice refused planning permission to build a marina, was fined €400 for assaulting a senior council planner.

Michael Bent of Ballymanogue, Scariff pleaded guilty at Scariff District Court, to assaulting Gordon Daly, former senior executive planner with Clare County Council, at a nightclub in Scariff on September 25 last year.

Mr Daly told the court that Mr Bent “became very aggressive and menacing, started pushing me in the chest, caught me by the throat and said ‘you’ve interfered in my life and you don’t like me interfering in yours now do you?’.”

Mr Daly said that he took this to be a reference to his then job with Clare County Council and Mr Bent being refused planning permission.

Prior to last September’s assault, Mr Bent superglued himself to the doors of the Clare County Council in February 2004 in protest at being refused planning for his proposed marina development.

In court, Mr Daly said that his girlfriend’s cousin intervened, placing herself between him and Mr Bent.

“I felt very threatened, shaken, shocked and also embarrassed given that the incident was viewed by a large number of people in that area of the pub,” said Mr Daly.

Solicitor for Mr Bent, Raymond O’Meara told the court that what happened on the night “was completely out of character for Mr Bent”.

“Mr Bent was intoxicated and things got out of control. Mr Daly suffered no injury as a result of the assault,” he said

Mr O’Meara said that Mr Bent has since apologised for his actions, however, Mr Daly said that he had not received any apology at any time.

Mr O’Meara told the court that Mr Bent had no previous convictions, was a member of the fire-brigade and was prepared to make a charitable donation.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a fine of €400

“No one can tolerate this type of behaviour and it should not happen,” Cllr Kelly said.

KILLALOE was a community in shock at the weekend as local people absorbed the news that one of the town’s most popular residents had died. Publican, Tom Elliffe, lost his fight for life after a serious operation last week.

Tom was well-known locally as a businessman and a very active community worker, who got involved in organising and promoting the town’s festivals and community organisations. Tom – who was just 62 years old – was the manager of Brendan Grace’s Bar, and it was he who sold the pub to the Dublin comedian in 2002. His partner, Lorraine Cantillion, told how Tom remained actively interested and involved in the business, which they bought together in 1990 and which is currently undergoing refurbishment.

“Even though it was not Richardson’s any more, he was so looking forward to seeing the renovations done,” she said.

A native of Tullamore, Tom worked for many years in Irish Steel and as a barman in Cork.

Another of his passions was darts. Tom was Chairman of the Irish National Darts Organisation. He and Lorainne had a business together supplying dart boards, darts and other equipment to pubs.

The Killlaoe publican was closely involved with the community council and the organising committees for the Brian Ború Festival and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

“He loved animals and children and particularly his boxer dog, Jessie,” said Lorraine.

A saddened Brendan Grace gave the eulogy at the funeral as one of Tom’s closest pals.

“When the pub reopens I know that Tom’s spirit will grace the bar. Here was the captain of the ship,” said Brendan.

Speaking of Tom’s warmth and humour, the comedian told how the very first time he walked into the bar, which was then Richardson’s, “Tom asked was I Brian Ború and would I like to be Brian Ború in the festival.

“I agreed because I liked him as soon as I met him.

“The night I opened the bar in my name, I was making a toast and joked that it was great to find a pub that I couldn’t be thrown out of. Tom curled his lip that way he did and said ‘don’t be too sure about that.’”

Tom is survived by Lorraine, his children, Don, Joe, Pamela, Audrey and Valerie, his 93-year-old mother, Lily, two brothers and six sisters.

THE Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, has rejected the findings of a recent IBEC survey that the “Open Skies” aviation deal could result in companies exiting Clare and the Mid-West region.

He said he could see no reason why companies in the mid-west would be forced to relocate as a result of the new regime.

“The additional access to the US, as well as the increased numbers of US tourists into Ireland, will greatly benefit Irish tourism, aviation and business links generally in all parts of the country,” he said, in response to a Dáil question from Clare TD James Breen (Ind).

Minister Cullen rejected a further call from Deputy Breen to carry out an economic impact study into Open Skies.

In a survey published by the employers group last month, one in five companies based in the Mid-West said they would consider exiting Ireland, if there was a substantial reduction in flights arising from the forthcoming Open Skies arrangement.

Open Skies is due to commence in November, with the ratio of Dublin/ Shannon flights to the US, changing from 1:1 to 3:1 in favour of Dublin before an outright Open Skies regime starts in April 2008.

According to the IBEC report, the 30 per cent drop will cost the tourist sector along the west of Ireland €75 million each year and result in a 10 per cent drop in airport revenue.

Twenty five companies surveyed agreed that a substantial reduction in US services at Shannon “could trigger decisions to relocate the company from Ireland.

“A serious reduction in connectivity could, in the medium to long-term, affect future investment, with knockon implications for employment and the sustainability of facilities in the west,” the report states.

The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is anticipating a 30% drop from the existing 700,000 passengers on transatlantic routes.

Management of one of the largest companies in the Shannon Free Zone, US owned Avocent International employing 150 people, warned that access problems on US routes would effect future commitments to Irish operations.

A CLARE punter has scooped almost €700,000 tipping the top 10 national hunt horses for the season.

Brian Munnelly, a meteorologist at Shannon Airport, placed a €16 bet in the UK ‘totetentofollow competition’ winning €689,000 after the Grand National on Saturday.

Ironically, it was a horse with strong Clare connections and winner of the Grand National, Numbersixvalverde that helped the 60-year old to scoop the prize.

Speaking from his home in Shannon town last night, Mr Munnelly said: “I was leading the competition going into the Grand National and didn’t have any horse running in the race, but the man coming second had backed ‘Hedgehunter’, which of course finished second in the race to Numbersixvalverde.”

If ‘Hedgehunter’ had won the National, Mr Munnelly would have lost out but in the end, he won by one solitary point after leading the competition since Christmas.

The single man said that he intends to use the majority of the winnings to buy a property in Dublin where he has spent most of his life.

Due to retire later this year, the Wexford-born man said: “I have spent 30 to 40 years of my life in Dublin and I’m looking forward to returning there when I retire.”

“I don’t expect any big change to my life. I won’t be going too wild with my winnings and buying big cars or anything like that.”

He said he plans to settle on the northside of Dublin where his parents hail from. “I won’t be too ambitious in the home I will be purchasing.”

Mr Munnelly found out that he had won the competition 20 minutes after the Grand National. He said: “I did not have a horse in the National so I was sweating,” he said.

The champion tipster put his success down to luck and a lifetime of watching horse racing.

“I have been going to Cheltenham for the last 35 years and I watch a lot of racing and I’ve got a lot of knowledge from it, so it’s time it paid off,” he said

Advising would-be punters, Mr Munnelly said: “Do your research and be lucky.”

The ‘totetentofollow’ works in a similar way to fantasy football with contestants picking 10 horses to follow throughout the season.

Each horse picks up points for winning races with bonus points available for winning prestigious races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Grand National.

Among Mr Munnelly’s successful tips were Irish pair War of Attrition and Brave Inca, winners of the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month.