This article is from page 16 of the 2006-12-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE controversy surrounding right of ways through Doonbeg Golf Club to Doughmore Beach continues, with a letter from a solicitor acting on behalf of the golf club coming to light, which details talks between his client and Clare County Council.
The letter to solicitors acting on behalf of five people who have already secured a private right of way to the beach, states that an “agreement in principle has now been arrived at between the council and the golf club”.
According to the letter seen by The Clare People , under this agreement, the golf club will “grant to the public a pedestrian right of way from the end of the Caherfeenick Road across the golf course to Doughmore Beach over what is colloquially referred to as the Surfers’ Path.”
The golf club will also construct for the county council a 30-space car park by enlarging the existing small car park off Caherfeenick Road and transfer the ownership of the completed car park to the council.
The letter, dated November 14, stated that, “The golf club will also transfer, free of charge to the Clare County Council, a sufficient space to allow the Clare County Council, should it wish to do so, to construct an additional 30 car parking spaces. The council will, in consideration of the above, extinguish any other claimed public right of ways from the Caherfeenick road across the golf course towards Doughmore Beach.”
According to the letter, the new arrangement “if and when implemented” will not in any way change the settlement agreement dated January 15, 2004, between the five, who secured a private right of way, and Doonbeg Golf Club Limited.
The Clare People made several attempts to contact Clare County Council on the issue, but to no avail.