Category: News

HISTORY was made in Ballyvaughan yesterday as passengers from both sides of Galway Bay travelled between Ballyvaughan and Galway city centre in minutes on the first sailing of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop.

The fast ferry made the crossing in perfect conditions with everyone present adamant that they would use the service into the future.

Present on the 12.30pm crossing was Mary Unglert from Unglert’s Bakery in Ennistymon, who went to Galway for the day for a spot of shopping with her mother and daughter.

“This is a service that is definitely needed and a permanent link from Ballyvaughan to Galway would be great. With the business that I am in, we wouldn’t need to use it but for anyone who is commuting from Clare to Galway, this is ideal. This can also help to bring more tourists from Galway into Clare,” she said.

“I’m not worried about getting seasick, we’re on ferries and boats the whole time and we like going out to Doolin from the Aran Islands so there’ll be no problem with that.”

Doolin resident Dolores Delaney is hopeful that the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop will be made into a full-time, year-round service.

“I have been waiting for this to happen for years and years. I think it’s wonderful. My husband and myself are going to have a bit of lunch in Galway, do some shopping, have a little walk around – then we are coming back on the 6pm boat,” she said.

“This is a great way of beating the traffic. Sometimes it can take us more than two hours to get from Doolin to Galway. I can guarantee that I would use this service at least once a week, maybe even more.”

There was also some exciting news from Dave Brocklebank from the Burren Yoga Centre, who believes that he can incorporate the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop into the yoga packages that he offers through his business.

“We run yoga courses all year around and, as part of that, we take people on different trips. For us, this would be a fantastic thing, to be able to take people over to Galway city as part of their course,” said Dave.

“We would be able to support the service but, more than that, this surface would help to support our busi- ness, by providing another attraction to bring people to the Burren Yoga Centre.”

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop is the brainchild of Ballyvaughan resident Gwen Ryan, who is hopeful that a full-time, year round service will be available soon.

“I am thrilled that this is happening. It is brilliant to see the positivity of everyone around here. The response has been so encouraging. This really does present so many opportunities for the area,” said Gwen.

For more information or to book, visit www.ballyvaughanbayhop.com.

THE owners of a missing ferret in Ennis say they have been plagued by pranksters since they launched a poster campaign to find the animal.

Daniel Drzeweecke and his girlfriend have appealed for help from people in Ennis to help find their pet ferret – Ceara – who has been missing in the town for the past two weeks.

Daniel says the couple has received numerous helpful phonecalls from members of the public.

However, pranksters have rung the couple with false sightings. They also received a call from a person who claimed they had found their beloved pet dead.

Daniel explains, “We have got many different phonecalls, some prank calls. Sometimes it’s a joke or a prank.

“Once somebody called and said they had found the ferret dead. But it was actually only an old piece of clothing, a piece from a jacket.”

Ceara, who is microchipped, has been missing for the past two weeks since getting free while being brought for a walk near a fountain in the Mill Road area of Ennis.

The couple are asking anyone who sees Ceara not to be afraid to approach her.

Alternatively, they can contact Daniel on 085 1465752, Julija on 085 1316651, Egle on 085 1315841 or any local vet, pet shop or dog pound. Daniel says that any information is useful.

The couple have had Ceara for three years.

According to Daniel, ferrets are an increasingly popular pet.

Daniel has not given up hope of finding his ferret.

He explains, “I was talking to some other ferret owners and they say that ferrets go missing a lot.

“One person told me that their ferret was missing for a month before they found it again. They enjoy their freedom.

“They are not really a pet. They are able to live outdoors and kill their own food. She can handle the outdoors.” AS the switch to digital television gets closer, SAORVIEW targets half a million affected homes with onscreen message across RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TG4 and TV3. Latest figures show there are 491,000 households with an estimated 800,000 television sets in Ireland that must switch to digital to avoid blank screens when the old analogue signal is switched off on October 24th, 2012. Starting this week, in a drive to ensure that affected homes know how to respond to the changeover, a brief on-screen message will appear at regular but infrequent intervals on sets receiving the old analogue TV signal. The message does not appear on sets already receiving a digital television signal. Almost a million households already subscribe to a digital service and therefore need take no action unless they choose to switch to the free SAORVIEW service. Commenting on the reason behind the on-screen caption, Mary Curtis, Director of Digital Switchover, SAORVIEW said: “Understandably, lots of people have been asking how they will know if they must get ready for SAORVIEW and digital television. The answer is straightforward. If you have an old analogue television and aerial, you will need to convert to digital otherwise you will lose your free Irish channels next October. By transmitting this message periodically on analogue sets, we hope to prompt viewers to take taking action sooner rather than later. SAORVIEW is available now so we are advising those affected not to wait until the last minute particularly as upgrading to RTÉ Two HD (High Definition) will make sports viewing more pleasurable this summer”, said Curtis.

The on-screen caption gives viewers the basic information they need to get SAORVIEW. As most will already have a UHF aerial, they simply need a SAORVIEW Approved settop box or a SAORVIEW Approved TV (which has the digital tuner built in). The caption also directs analogue viewers to the SAORVIEW website and call centre if they have any questions about getting SAORVIEW. Once sets have been upgraded to receive SAORVIEW, viewers can sit back and continue to enjoy Irish TV for free.

In addition to the caption, a date reminder “bug” will appear on these same TV sets. In welcoming this initiative Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, said “The ‘bug’ which those still using the analogue TV network see on the top left corner of their TV screens will appear until they switch to a digital TV network will allow us to make it very clear to them that they need to take action and change to a digital TV service if they are to avoid losing their TV signal on Wednesday 24th October. Along with the information booklet which will be delivered to every home in the country at the end of June, the introduction of the ‘bug’ to analogue TV screens is an important part of our communications campaign to encourage people to get informed and take action. These initiatives, along with the decision by RTE, TG3 and TG4 to introduce reminder captions to analogue TV viewers, will serve to remind people that they need to move to a digital TV service of their choosing in advance of Wednesday October 24th and that they can take action now. We hope that analogue TV viewers will understand the reasons for the introduction of these devices and that it will prompt them take action sooner, rather than later”.

The date reminder in the top lefthand corner of the screen will be permanently on screen in the countdown to analogue switchover date, October 24th.

ENNIS’ traffic problems are set to be alleviated with the completion of the long-awaited inner relief road, the final phase of which is set to be completed this September.

Ennis Town Council has revealed that work on the completion of the road is set to commence in July, after the announcement that the local authority has signed a € 360,000 construction contract with Gildoc Limited.

The contract provides for the con- struction of 180 metres of single carriageway road, footpaths and services, including new traffic lights at Station Road and Clare Road.

The Ennis Inner Relief Road Section E contract, which will be delivered by Ennis-based Liam O’Doherty Building Contractor on behalf of Gildoc Limited, has a completion deadline for late September.

“I would like to compliment Ennis Town Council for delivering this project which many had feared would not go ahead due to the current fiscal constraints,” said outgo- ing Mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle.

“However, the necessary funding has been secured to ensure the delivery of what will be a very beneficial infrastructure project for Ennis Town Centre.

“It will complement similar road projects in recent years, including the section of the Inner Relief Road from Station Road to Francis Street and the Ennis Bypass, in further reducing traffic congestion in the Clare County capital.

“Once completed, the new road will link Station Road at Mad- den’s Furniture to Friar’s Walk, the Causeway, Clare Road at Cathedral Court,” explained Eamon O’Dea, Ennis Town Engineer.

“This section of the Inner Relief Road will improve traffic flow to the town centre for customers and visitors to Ennis, and will reduce traffic congestion in the Station Road and Upper O’Connell Street area of Ennis,” added Mayor Guilfoyle.

THE development of a maritime and angling centre at Doonbeg Pier may soon be back on the agenda as MEP Marian Harkins (IND) last week committed to finding funding for the project at European level.

More than half a million euro of funding had been allocated to the project in 2008, but this funding was never drawn down because of a difficulty in obtaining a foreshore license for the area.

The MEP, who visited the pier last week and met with representatives of the Doonbeg Fishermen’s Association, says the Doonbeg Pier is in bad need of development which could mean a major boost for the local fishing and tourism industry.

“It seems extraordinary that a project which was approved funding of € 525,000 in 2008 and is deemed strategically important by Clare County Council has not proceeded,” said the MEP.

“I will be doing whatever I can to bring a fresh focus on a project which will be of great benefit to the economy of West Clare.”

It is, as yet, unclear what “fresh focus” Ms Harkins will be able to bring to the project but some funding from the European authorities could possibly be used to kickstart the project.

Responding to Ms Harkins comment, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Tom Tiernan, said that the council did grant the development Part VIII planning permission more than four years ago.

“Clare County Council has never referred to Doonbeg Pier as a strategically important project, as claimed by Ms Harkin.

“However, Doonbeg Pier is zoned for maritime use in the West Clare Local Area Plan 2012-2018,” he said.

“The harbour area on Doonbeg Bay is reserved for the future development of the pier and land-based facilities to accommodate waterbased commercial activities, subject to compliance with all environmental considerations and legislation.

“Clare County Council approved development under the Part VIII at Doonbeg Pier in 2007. The proposal at the time also needed Foreshore Lease approval and this was also sought in 2007.

“Unfortunately, this was never approved and therefore the allocation referred to by Ms Harkin could not be availed of.”

During her visit to Clare last week, MEP Harkin was given an “extensive briefing” on the development.

She said that she would be investigating what sources of funds might be available for what she described as a “very justified project” utilising the uniquely safe and sheltered characteristics of Doonbeg Pier.

IRELAND’S first ever mainland ferry commuter service will begin in Ballyvaughan this Monday, June 25, with the first official sailing of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop.

The service will run a week-long trial service to coincide with the final of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway, with plans to extend the service to a full-time commuter sailing if the demand exists.

Early indications are encouraging for the organisers, with a number of sailings already booked out. The service is designed to a business model which would see Clare commuters using the ferry to get to work in Galway City, with tourists making the return leg of the sailing.

“It is very exciting. We have been waiting a long time for this to happen so it is very exciting now,” said founder of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop, Gwen Ryan.

“It will be running for a week but already we can see that the demand and the interest is there. People have been booking tickets already, especially coming from the Clare side. To date, we only have a few tickets booked from Galway across but the main target audience for this is tourists who may not even have arrived in Galway yet to book their tickets.

“We have heavy booking on the service from Clare over to Galway and a couple of sailings are already booked out.

“For instance, the Saturday sailing, over in the morning to the Volvo Ocean Race, and back again in the evening is already fully booked out.”

A number of tourist operators in Ballyvaughan are offering discounts to people who use the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop during the trial week in operation.

The “fast ferry” service will be operated by Rib West who are a fully licensed enclosed passenger rib provider.

The vessel can hold just 10 people during each crossing, which makes early booking a priority.

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop will run three return services each day between Monday and Friday, June 25 to 29. These services will depart the New Pier in Ballyvaughan at 7.45am, 12.30pm and 5.30pm, with the return sailings coming from Galway Harbour at 8.45am, 1.30pm and 6pm.

Three sailing will also take place on June 30, to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race.

For more information on the service or to book tickets, visit www. ballyvaughanbayhop.com, email res erveyourseat@ballyvaughanbayhop. com or ring 086 8102090.

THE successful Clare rally navigator Gráinne McEnery remains in a critical but stable condition in a Dublin hospital more than a week after a rallying accident in Portlaoise.

The Ennis woman sustained serious head injuries when the car she was co-driving lost control on a turn during the sixth stage of the Heartlands Mini-Stages Rally on Sunday week last.

Her family and driving partner Mike Quinn have been keeping a bedside vigil since.

Clare Motor Club held a prayer service for Gráinne on Tuesday last, led by Fr Harry Bohan in the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis.

Grainne, who is one of the most successful rally navigators in the country, secured the 2011 Top Part West Coast Rally Championship the first Clare person and woman to do so.

She has also won the Michael Farrell Memorial Trophy.

Gráinne, who works as service manager with O’Sullivan & Hansbury Motors in Ennis developed an interest in rallying from a young age as her dad Joe, a keen rally spectator and her brother Charlie, a championship-winning navigator brought her to various events around the country.

Gráinne has been competition with Kerry driver Mike Quinn since 2009 and immediately they were a successful team coming second overall in the West Coast Rally Championship and winning the Rally.ie National 2wd Drive Championship. They won numerous other rallies that year and in 2010 finished third overall in the West Coast Rally Championship.

WHATEVER Steele’s Terrace can do, so too can St Flannan’s Terrace on the other side of the ‘Rhine’.

That’s message that will be delivered a public meeting that takes place this Tuesday night in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis as residents past and present prepare to mark the centenary of St Flannan’s Terrace.

Earlier this year current and former residents of Steele’s Terrace marked the centenary of the row of 30 houses that were built in 1912 with the publi- cation of a commemorative booklet.

Now, St Flannan’s residents are doing the same, with former St Flannan’s Terrace resident, Brian Dinan spearheading the drive to mark the centenary celebrations this autumn.

“Help us compile an illustrated booklet to mark the centenary year – the history of your house and where your family lived or where you live today,” Mr Dinan told The Clare People this week.

“Perhaps some former occupants and current occupants would get together to produce a commemorative booklet. We would like people who wish to help in this worthwhile project to come to the Temple Gate for the inaugural meeting that will launch the project,” he added.

The purpose of the meeting is to generate an interest in those with a St Flannan’s Terrace connection, urging them to come forward and contribute in whatever way they can.

“It is hoped to form a working committee to find ways of marking the 100 years. Celebrations will take the form of a social evening in October when an illustrated souvenir booklet containing memories and histories of past and present residents will be launched,” said Mr Dinan.

The foundation stone for St Flannan’s Terrace that comprises of 46 houses was laid at number 11 by the then sitting MP for East Clare, Willie Redmond, and the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Michael Fogarty.

“As many as 300 families may have lived on St Flannan’s Terrace,” revealed Mr Dinan.

“There are many memories locked away or scattered to the four winds, which deserve to be recorded and celebrated in recognition and respect of these past generations of wonderful people,” he added.

SEVEN out of every 10 Clare families have had to sacrifice their teeth in order to see them through the recession.

A survey completed by DentalCover.ie has revealed that 73 per cent of Clare families have decreased the number of yearly visits to the dentist since the recession started in 2007.

Indeed, only 32 per cent of Clare people surveyed said that they were able to visit the dentist at least once a year.

Money was indicated as being the biggest factor for preventing Clare people from attending the dentist with 64 per cent of those surveyed, saying that a check-up fee of € 60 would prevent them from visiting the dentist.

One of the main areas to be cut back has been dentistry for children, with the majority of young Clare people not visiting the dentist until after they begin primary school.

“Worryingly, more and more children are now presenting with large cavities that can only be dealt with by extraction and often requiring general anaesthetic,” said Ger Gavin, Chief Dental Officer at Dentalcover. ie.

“As well as being an unnecessary ordeal for young children and expense for the family, it can make children reluctant to attend the dentist in the future. All children really need to attend a dentist in the first two years of their lives.

“It’s at this stage that the dentist can identify and remedy any unhealthy dietary habits or inadequate oral hygiene routines. This establishes a healthy relationship where children are associating dentistry with preventive dental care.”

Separate research has also indicated that the recession may be having another negative impact on Clare teeth as a result of an increase in the frequency of teeth grinding.

More than 30,000 Clare people suffer with bruxism, more commonly known as tooth grinding, and dentists have reported a dramatic increase in the number of patients presenting with the condition since the economic downturn.

“Those figures mean up to 1 million people in Ireland alone may grind their teeth. This is a much higher figure than many people would expect and one that is likely to rise if present trends continue,” said Dr Padraig McAuliffe.

“As many of these people mainly grind their teeth during sleep, they may not realise it is happening until they start to notice some signs – most commonly, tenderness or stiffness of the jaw in the morning, headaches and wear or damage to the teeth.”

MEMBERS of the public have been invited to a meeting on Monday night aimed at drawing up a communityled development plan for Clarecastle. Organised by Clarecastle Community Development Ltd, the meeting will take place in the Abbey Hall on Monday, June 25 at 8pm.

Clarecastle Community Development Ltd (CCD) is a non-profit-making company that was established six months ago. Its main objective is to promote the educational, cultural, social and economic wellbeing of all the members of the community of Clarecastle and its environs

The first phase of mapping out a new blueprint for community-led development in Clarecastle was launched in January. At the time, the company sought feedback from local people.

A CCD spokeswoman explained, “Clarecastle Community Development Ltd has finally concluded a lengthy consultation process with the people and organisations of Clarecastle through which it aimed to establish the community’s future vision for the village. It has received input from individuals, the business community, schoolchildren, youth and individuals. It has met with over 40 organisations within the community and has received useful feedback from them.”

She continued, “From this feedback, Clarecastle Community Development Ltd will put together a development plan for the next few years but, in the meantime, certain projects have been identified as being of significant importance to the community. CCD Ltd is now considering how best to develop these.” She added, “The interim Board of Clarecastle Community Development Ltd would like to share some of the feedback and ideas for potential development with the community of Clarecastle, identify some priority projects and look at our next steps.”

In May 2011, a public meeting was held which identified positives and negatives about Clarecastle and produced ideas for developing the village and its environs. The then Acting Development Group made a recommendation in September 2011 that a Selection Committee would nominate a new Development Committee. An interim Board of Directors of the new development company was nominated and met for the first time in October 2011.

DESPITE flooding in many parts of the county, 2012 will go down as a the record-breaking year for sunshine in County Clare.

Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, have been recognised as possibly the finest ever 48 hours seen in the county during the month of May.

According to new data released by Met Éireann, the highest temperature recorded anywhere in Ireland last month was recorded at Met Éireann Shannon Airport station which recorded a high 27.8 degree Celsius on May 25. This was the highest May temperature recorded at the Shannon Airport station since it was opened in 1938.

The longest day of sunshine was also recorded at Shannon Airport on May 26 when a total of 15.6 hours of sunshine were recorded. This was the joint highest daily sunshine rate to be recorded at Shannon Airport in the station’s history.

For once, the good weather seems to have favoured the west coast over the east with both rain levels and temperatures indicating a much better month on the Atlantic coast. An example of this was the highest average temperature for the month, 12 degrees Celsius, being recorded at Shannon Airport, compared to the lowest average was recorded at Dublin Airport where the mean was just 9.6 degrees.

The rain also seems to have stayed clear of the Banner County last month with the Shannon Airport station recording the lowest months rain total in Ireland at just 38.8mm. This amounts to less than 60 per cent of the normal average rainfall recorded at Shannon Airport in the month of May. This amounts to just more than half of the rain that fell at Met Éireann’s Newport station where 74.9mm were recorded.

Nationally, rainfall was below average nearly everywhere, with the exception of most stations along the East coast which reported above average rainfall. These stations all attributed at least a quarter of their monthly rainfall total to the heavy rainfall on May 1.