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A SECTION of the N85 main road between Ennis and Ennistymon has been the scene of eight car accidents over the last two months, a meeting has heard.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has been urged to act to improve driver safety on a stretch of road between Fountain Cross and Ballyduff Landfill, which was described yesterday as an “accident black spot”.

In a motion tabled at a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West electoral area, councillor James Breen (Ind) called for accident black spot signs to be erected on the N85 between Fountain Cross and Ballyduff Landfill.

Cllr Breen told the meeting that eight cars had been involved in accidents on the stretch of road over the past two months. He said in one instance, a woman and her young child were lucky to walk away unharmed after their car came off the road.

Cllr Breen said there is a danger someone may lose their life on the road. He called for warning signs and crash barriers to be installed in the area.

In his reply, executive engineer Robert Burns stated that generally the erection of signage on the National Road network is a matter for the National Roads Authority.

He continued, “In this instance, the old accident back spot sign is no longer included in the suite of road signs set out in the traffic signs manual and can’t therefore be used. The NRA’s 2013 programme of Road Safety Schemes for National Roads does not include any projects on the N85.

“However, the council would liaise with the NRA with a view to determining whether sections of the N85, requiring remediation or improvement, would qualify under the 2014 programme for Road Safety Schemes for national roads.”

Mr Burns told the meeting that safety issues at this particular stretch of road have been repeatedly flagged to the NRA.

Cllr Tom McNamara agreed with Cllr Breen in stating that work is needed to improve safety at the location.

THE announcement of visitor numbers and the confirmation of an estimated € 5m boost to local coffers was made at the launch of a Gathering Clare Festivals and Events booklet for July to December 2013.

The booklet is being made available at tourist offices, hotels, Council offices and Libraries throughout the County to promote the dozens of events scheduled to take place during the second half of the year.

Amongst some of the key events held during the first six months of 2013 was the Bunratty International Chess Festival, The Burren Tolkien Society Festival, Kilfenora Music Festival, International Junior Tour of Ireland, Festival of Finn, Russell Memorial Weekend, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival and the Gathering the Scattering Family History Conference, which were collectively attended by more than 1, 500 overseas visitors.

July and August will increase those numbers as a number of local festivals are due to take place. “We are delighted with the success of The Gathering which has brought huge economic benefits to communities across the County,” explained Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordi- nator.

“Communities in every corner of Clare have thoroughly embraced the Gathering initiative and we are glad to say that the quality of festivals and events is excellent. Recent visitor figures released by the CSO reflect the contribution made by the Gathering to the wider tourism sector.

“This is evidenced by the 10 per cent increase (404, 535 overall) in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

“Furthermore, almost a quarter of the 5750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas,” Monica added.

WORK on a new development plan for Ennis and its Environs is expected to come to a halt following the publication of new local government legislation.

Last week, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, published the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill.

Speaking yesterday, Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the new bill contains a provision to grant discretionary powers to local authorities facing abolition to extend the lifetime of the existing development plan and to cease any development plan reviews already commenced.

Ennis Town Council had begun the process of drawing up the Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2014-2020.

Mr Dollard was speaking at the July meetings of councillors in the Ennis electoral areas.

Councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area committee heard calls for the development of a Green Plan for Ennis. The proposal was contained in a motion out forward by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF).

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that Ennis contains a number of unique, green spaces that could be better utlised to improve the town.

In his reply, senior executive planner Brian McCarthy stated, “The provision of a Green Infrastructure Plan in and around urban areas is now widely recognised as contributing importantly towards creating places where people want to live and work. Green infrastructure can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, protection against flooding and erosion as well as enhancing the quality of life for residents of the areas and enhancing their awareness of the local environment.”

Mr McCarthy continued, “The natural heritage of Ennis and environs with its natural and semi-natural amenities is an important aspect to the quality of life of its citizens and tourists and is ideally placed for the development of a green infrastructure plan. A green infrastructure plan offers huge potential to enhance green spaces and biodiversity for the benefit of the people of Ennis to create and enhance attractive and accessible places for people to enjoy direct and regular contact with the natural environment.

“It is considered the development of a Green Infrastructure Plan for Ennis and Environs is ideally provided via the preperation of the Draft Ennis and and Environs Development Plan.”

A BORD Fáilte in-depth survey has shown that three quarters of visitors to West Clare last year got their information from a tourist office.

In the last number of weeks the holiday board has come under criticism for removing the last tourist office from the West Care peninsula and replacing it with information points in Kilrush and Kilkee.

Now its own survey is saying that the tourist office provided more information to tourists last year than even the internet, where just 20 per cent of people got their information.

Accommodation providers provided a further 23 per cent.

According to Fáilte 360: Holidaymaker Survey 2012, the most visited attraction by holidayers to the west of the county was the Cliffs of Moher with 54 per cent of tourists saying they visited the interpretative centre.

The in-depth survey also showed that while the majority of overseas visitors, 32 per cent, first came across West Clare through word of mouth, 77 per cent then sourced their information from the internet.

A further 34 per cent gathered information from guidebooks, while 12 per cent relied on travel agents or tour operators.

Bord Fáilte has described the report published yesterday as the most comprehensive examination of what holidaymakers really think of Ireland and its regional destinations.

“Gathering the views of nearly 10,000 overseas and domestic holidaymakers who visited 11 holiday areas across the country last year, the report is an in-depth insight into what visitors experienced and thought about tourism’s key regions,” a spokesperson said.

The survey also showed that hotels were the most popular choice of accommodation at 36 per cent, while 22 per cent stayed in B&Bs.

The majority of visitors, 31 per cent, chose to eat in pubs while 25 per cent dined in a hotel with 15 per cent at a restaurant.

Hiking and hill walking was top of the list of activities they engaged in.

As many as 76 per cent of visitors surveyed said they would recommend West Clare for a holiday with the beautiful scenery and countryside topping the list of reasons, together with its nice and friendly people.

ENNIS Town Council has announced the introduction of a new cashless method of paying for parking in County Clare’s largest town.

The ParkMagic system enables customers displaying a ParkMagic barcode window sticker in the windscreen of their cars to make parking payments via text message or phonecall.

Traffic wardens use electronic handheld devices to scan the barcode or input vehicle registrations to verify payment status.

The system also includes a text messaging option for customers to be notified that their payment is due to expire.

Ennis becomes only the third Irish town to use the ParkMagic system, which is already in operation in Limerick City and Cork City.

Newly appointed Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Mary Coote Ryan said:

“I would like to commend the Council for providing innovative and easier ways for members of the public to park in the town.

The introduction of the pay-byphone system complements other parking initiatives such as the extension of free parking during the summer season, the Christmas free parking scheme and the introduction of new Carparking Byelaws.

Leonard Cleary, Town Clerk explained:

“The ParkMagic system uses mobile phone technology to simplify parking payments whilst also allowing greater access for the public and the overall efficiency of parking in the town.

“An expiry text message facility is available to customers to alert them 10 minutes prior to their parking payment expiring and will prompt a repeat payment if permitted at the relevant parking location.

This facility encourages space turnover and also maximises the level of payment compliance.

Payment systems that allow flexible payment arrangements rather than payment of parking on arrival.

This is expected to encourage longer shopping trips and greater consumer spend as indicated in the recent Retail Excellence Ireland report on Ennis and other towns and cities,” added Mr Cleary.

Before parking, drivers need to register with ParkMagic.

This can be done by picking up a window sticker in any one of the designated outlets.

These include Ennis Town Council (Drumbiggle), Rowan Tree Café Bar, County Boutique, Willow, The Ennis Bookshop, Zest, Ennis Tourist Office, County Museum, Glór, Chamber of Commerce, Clare County Council, De Valera Library, Bank of Ireland, AIB, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, Credit Union, Main Post Office, and Market Place Post Office.

THE sunshine has seen a major boost to retail operations all along the west coast of Clare in the last few days with all stores reporting a welcome surge in business.

Last weekend saw roads to and from a host of Clare beaches thronged and with forecasts suggesting at least ten more days of warm and sunny con- ditions, the mini-boom looks set to continue.

John McCarthy from the Lahinch Surf School is delighted with the upswing he has seen in the last two weeks.

“These weeks are usually our quitest weeks of the summer, but this year we have had a great turnout at our surf school. It’s geat to see all the local businesses doing so well, the waves are great out here, it’s been like California,” he told The Clare People .

Accommodation has been at a premium in West Clare and the famed Willie Clancy Week will also boost local trade and employment.

According to managing director of the Armada, John Burke, their combined hotels now employ around 225 people, which up up 35 from last year.

Speaking about their boost in business, John said, “It’s a combination of a number of factors, but the weather is certainly supporting it. We are working hard to maxamise opportunities, with additional seating outside, barbecues, a local activity club, strawberry and ice cream stands, and cold plates; customers are reacting well to these so far,” he said.

The weather has been a great boost for local companies specialising in water sports such as surfing, kayaking, cliffs cruises and stand up paddling, while bicycle hire has also seen a huge increase in demand.

Forecasters are predicting the good weather for at least ten days, with temperatures in Clare expected to hit the 28c mark mid-week.

THE case of three men alleged to have damaged a car parked outside Drumcliff graveyard has been adjourned to October for hearing.

The cases of the three men, Michael Doherty (51), with an address at 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis; James Galbraith (45), with an address at 1 St Michael’s Park, Gort Road, Ennis, and Patrick Doherty (34), with an address at Bay 2 St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, were before Judge Durcan at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

All three are charged with the criminal damage of a car which was parked at Drumcliff on March 24th last.

It is alleged that the three men attacked the Ford Focus with weapons, breaking windows and damaging the bodywork.

The court previously heard that the female owner of the fled from the scene after the alleged incident occurred.

Solicitor for Patrick and Michael Doherty, Daragh Hassett, told the court that his client’s attendance from court had been excused on the day in question due to a family wedding.

Mr Hassett requested a date to have the case heard.

He said he expected the case to last around 90 minutes.

October 10 was subsequently fixed as hearing date for the case.

DIGITAL speed signs have helped to reduce car speeds on the Tulla Road over a two-year period, new figures show.

Analysis carried out by Clare County Council shows that the average speed of cars using the Tulla Road has fallen from 44km/h in 2011 to 42 km/h in January 2013.

In a motion tabled at the July meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) requested a report on the speed and change in volume of traffic on the Tulla Road since new speed measuring devices were installed.

In his reply, Robert Burns, Executive Engineer, explained that initial analysis of speed signs in July and August 2011 indicated that the average speed on the inbound and outbound lanes on the Tulla Road was 44 k/m/h with 85 per cent of the vehicles at or below 52km/h.

Mr Burns continued, “A detailed traffic count carried out by the road design officer over a 24-hour period in late January 2013 (at Fitzpatrick’s Supermarket) indicated that the average speed as 42 km/h with the 85th percentile speed at 49 km/h, representing a significant improvement on speeds recorded in July / August 2011. The legal speed limit at this location is 50 km/h.

“The date provided by the digital speed signs is currently been analysed and further information will be available when this latest round of analysis is complete.”

Cllr Flynn welcomed the reduction in speed. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) urged motorists to pay heed to the speed signs and drive safely. Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) questioned when the digital speed signs would be extended to other roads around Ennis.

Mr Burns said the signs will be installed on the Lahinch Road and any plans to extend the system are being kept under review.

Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the cameras are put up in consultation with the Gardaí.

A SIGNIFICANT number of staff of the former Clare VEC will remain in place Ennis following an amalgamation with VECs in Limerick city and county, according to chief executive officer George O’Callaghan.

Eighty three years of educational history came to an end last week when Clare VEC was re-branded as part of a new Education and Training Board (ETB) for Clare and Limerick.

The new organisation will continue to run schools and provide adult education while taking on new training functions that were previously the responsibility of FÁS. CEO George O’Callaghan said any change to the organisation would be gradual.

The VEC runs seven post primary schools in Clare catering for 2,200 students. Around 600 people are employed by the ETB in Clare.

While many staff are facing the prospect of being transferred to Limerick, Mr O’Callaghan expects that a number will remain in Ennis.

He explained, “Capital and procurement functions will remain in Ennis, a significant number of staff will remain in Ennis.

“Our work is education. That is our mission. And we would feel we have made significant contributions over the years. That will continue to be made because the schools will continue and the further education provision will continue as well.” Mr O’Callaghan continued, “The most significant new function that will be transferred to the new Education and Training Board will be the FÁS training function. The FÁS training centre in Shannon and Raheen will transfer to the Education and Training Board in early 2014. That will fulfill the objective in the new name of the entity. The broader training functions of FÁS will transfer across in 2014.” Mr O’Callaghan has been officially designated as CEP of the new Cork ETB but has been seconded by the Minister for Education to work on a project examining the provision of post primary education in Limerick City. Former CEO of Limerick VEC Sean Burke has been named as CEO Designate of the new Education and Training Board for Clare and Limerick. Mr O’Callaghan said he was honoured to work for eight years as CEO of Clare VEC. He said, “They were a great staff to work with, very hard working across the board. We’d a great team and a good atmosphere in which we conducted in our work. That will continue in the new ETB as well.”

NEW Mayor of Ennis councillor Mary Coote Ryan has defended her decision to vote against a Fine Gael party colleague at last week’s annual general meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Coote Ryan voted for independent councillor Frankie Neylon for the position of Deputy Mayor ahead of Cllr Mary Howard (FG).

Cllr Howard had earlier withdrawn her nomination for Mayor, clearing the way for Cllr Coote Ryan to take up the post. Cllr Coote Ryan was nominated for Mayor by Cllr Neylon and the long-serving councillor said it would’ve been “bad form” not to back his nomination for Deputy Mayor.

“I’m very fond of Mary. I think she is a lovely person. It was very big of her to withdraw but Mary’s time will come. I won’t be going anymore. I do hope that Mary does very, very well in the next election and anything I can do to help with that, I will do it”.

Cllr Coote Ryan added that her decision not to vote for Clr Howard “won’t do anything to our friendship”. Cllr Coote Ryan has sat on Ennis Town Council since 1990 when she was co-opted onto the seat following the death of her brother Paddy. Speaking on Tuesday night, she admitted she is “very proud and honoured” to have been chosen as Mayor. She continued, “It is a very important year, the last year of the town council as we know it. We can’t sit back on our laurels. As far as I’m concerned this is a year we should be planning ahead. I know that economically things aren’t great but they won’t always be like that and I think we should be planning ahead for the future and get our little speak in before the council dissolves. Hopefully whatever decisions we make now will be carried on by the council”. Recalling her early days as a councillor, Cllr Coote Ryan said, “At that time I was really plucked from the kitchen sink. I hadn’t a clue. I knew Paddy went to meetings and that was the extent of what I knew about the council. But the minute I entered that door, I took to it like a duck to water. But they were all so good to me. At that time, and I hate to bring politics into things because I think it’s unfair, there were four maybe five Fianna Fáíl councillors and they looked after me so well that I never would have made it but for them. They were all terribly good to me. Tomás Ryan was wonderful and his knowledge of local government was a real help.”

Cllr Coote Ryan said she would like to see further enhancement of facilities at the Lees Road sports and Amenity Park during her time as Mayor.

She explained, “I think there is a need for a café. You have some big sports days up there and I think it would be lovely if parents and children could go an get a drink. I think there is a need for something like that. Maybe in time too we could have some indoor facilities. We could be planning that now.”