Category: News

TWO Clare secondary schools received a significant boost last week with the news that the Department of Education and Science has approved building extensions in Ennis and Killaloe.

Clare VEC will receive grant funding to carry out the works at Ennis Community College and St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe.

Making the announcement on Thursday, Clare VEC CEO, George O’Callaghan said the new facilities are needed to cope with a projected increased in the number of students attending both schools. He said a Department of Education report had predicted that enrolment at Ennis Community College would rise to 740 students in the near future, while enrolment at St Anne’s is expected to increase to 750.

There are currently 500 students enrolled at Ennis Community College. Clare VEC will receive a devolved grant for the projects – a 2813sq/m extension in Ennis and a 1800sq/m extension in Killaloe.

There will be two separate tendering processes for each school while Mr O’Callaghan added that the process of seeking planning permission for both projects would begin “immediately”. He said, “They [the de- partment] have indicated that they want people walking in the doors by 2014.” Mr O’Callaghan said preliminary discussions had already taken place with the department. He said the department had indicated a preference for a new standalone building at Ennis Community College. He said the building would also alleviate pressure on Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, an Aonad that currently operates within Ennis Community College.

Mr O’Callaghan was speaking at the October meeting of Clare VEC where he said it would be “remiss” of the committee not to accept the funding. Committee member Michael Corley proposed that the VEC accept the department’s offer. Seconding the motion, committee chairman Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) welcomed the annoucement. He said an extension for St Anne’s is “long overdue”.

A DECISION to retain a VEC suboffice in Ennis will be determined by the outcome of “local discussions”, a meeting has heard.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, has outlined proposals to amalgamate Clare VEC with Limerick City and Limerick County VECs.

The new entity would be known as a Local Education and Training Board (LETB).

CEO George O’Callaghan told the October meeting of Clare VEC that while the new LETB will require a headquarters, “there will be local discussions” that will determine the location of any potential sub office.

“You must have a designated headquarters and after that it is a matter of discussions,” he added.

Mr O’Callaghan said that from next August third-level grants would be administered by Dublin City LETB. He said that while Clare VEC will continue to deal with existing applications for a three to four years, it would not accept new applications.

Responsibility for school transport will be transferred to Bus Eireann in January, he said.

Clare TD and Fine Gael Deputy, Pat Breen has called for the retention of a sub office in Ennis.

Deputy Breen has argued that the proposal would be cost-neutral because the Department of Education and Skills owns the building in Ennis.

Mr O’Callaghan also told the meeting that the department had also published the heads of a Bill outlining the proposed new legal structure of new VEC entities. He said the Bill proposed changes to the make up of vocational education committees.

He explained that while county councils will be represented on the new committees, the Bill contains no provision for town councils.

Mr O’Callaghan said that three local authorities – Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council and Clare County Council – would be represented on the new LETB.

Cllr Peter Considine (FF) proposed that the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) “strongly reject” the proposal.

Cllr Considine, a member of Ennis Town Council, said VECs had always represented urban and rural communities.

CLARE VEC would face competition from other bodies for the patronage of a new Irish secondary school if approval were granted for a new site, a meeting has heard.

CEO, George O’Callaghan was speaking last week at a discussion on the findings of a survey for the public’s preference for the future of Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

A new building has been approved for Ennis Community College and Mr O’Callaghan was questioned if the new extension would affect a proposal to develop a new standalone Irish secondary school in Ennis.

Gaelcholáiste an Chláir currently operates within the campus of Ennis Community College.

Parents’ representative Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh asked if the VEC is continuing to push for an independ- ent Gaelcholáiste.

Ms Ní Chléirigh said the Gaelcholáiste does not have enough classrooms to cater for student numbers.

Mr O’Callaghan said the VEC had previously indicated that it is in favour of a standalone school. He said the new building would bring “enormous relief” to the current problems at the Ennis Community College campus. “The extension may offer some form of relief and be the basis for future developments,” he said.

However, Mr O’Callaghan explained that a school must have an enrolment of 400 students before the department will approve a new standalone building. He told the meeting that a “health warning” would have to be attached to any application for a new greenfield site. He explained that if the department approved a new site, patronage of the school would be open to competition.

A NEW secondary school through the medium of Irish has moved much closer to reality, following last Thursday’s announcement of a major capital investement in Ennis Community College. The Clare People has learned that the building programme at Ennis Community College, details of which were reavealed at October monthly meeting of Clare VEC, is set to pave the way to incorporate a new premises for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

Since Gaelcholáiste an Chláir was established in 1993 it has been part of the community college but now the green light for new building programme, in tandem with overwhelming support from the public for the development of second level education throught Irish, is being held up as major step forward.

“This major announcement of a 2800 sq m development is great news for Ennis Community College,” said college chairman Dónal Ó hAiniféin, “but it is also brilliant news for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir as the development of new facilities will enable the school to access the sort of facilities it needs to develop.

“This will be a purpose-built facility and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir will have access to the state of the art facilities that it needs,” added the chairman of Ennis Community College.

These words have been echoed by Ennis Community College principal, Matt Power, who said that the new developement announcement is “a vote of confidence in the vocational education system, while the new facility will be able “to provide all the resources that Ghaelcholáiste an Chláir needs”.

The annnouncement, which will see the new school facilities developed by the September 2014 school year comes on the back on the publication of findings of a major survey which investigated the demand for second level education through Irish in Ennis.

Key figures contained in the report secured by The Clare People showed that 88 per cent of the 854 respondents to the survey “agreed or agreed strongly that Irish medium education should be available at second level”, while 69 per cent of survey participants said that Gaelcholáiste an Chláir would move to its own campus.

These report was commissioned by Clare VEC in January when it “appointed an independent external consultant to conduct a survey to assess the demand for second-level education entirely through the medium of Irish in Clare and to inform future planning and options for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir”.

As part of the process participants were asked their views on whether the Gaelcholáiste “should establish independent status and move to its own campus”, or whether the school “should remain as it is, operating within Ennis Community College”.

“There was clear evidence from respondents’ comments that more parents will be encouraged to enroll their children in Gaelcholáiste an Chláir if it can provide full immersion education and establish its own ethos and identity,” the report says.

“In 2006, Limerick VEC established a very successful standalone independent Gaelcholáiste. Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh began with 30 pupils and now attracts over 100 applications annually and has an intake of 80.”

A GENTLEMAN, an innovator, a friend and a man who has given so much to traditional music and to his adopted home town of Miltown Malbay. Many tributes have been paid to Muiris Ó Rocháin, co-founder of the Willie Clancy Summer School, who passed away last week after a short illness.

Some of the most poignant words came from the man most associated with Muiris, the co-founder of the Willie Clancy Summer School, Harry Hughes. The pair, who met when they were both teaching at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Spanish Point in the late 1960s, were involved in numerous different music and local history projects over the years.

“He is a great loss. From the day I met him until the day he died, there was never a bad word spoken between us. He was a gentleman and a generous man and a man with a great since of humour. He took his work seriously and he took his music seriously but he never took himself too seriously,” Harry told The Cla re People yesterday.

“I think he has left a tremendous legacy behind him – not just in traditional music but in a number of fields. When we started the school, there was nothing really like it in traditional music. When you think about it, how many festivals there are around the county now?”

Tributes were also paid by John Lynch, head of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, who said that the Willie Clancy Summer School was a great boost to traditional music in Ireland.

“He will be sorely missed. When himself and Harry [Hughes] set up the Willie Clancy Summer School, there was nothing like it in Ireland. They were way ahead of their time,” said John.

“When the Willie Clancy Summer School got going, traditional music in Ireland was way different from how it is today. I was 17 years old when the first Willie Clancy week took place and at that stage there weren’t a lot of people playing traditional music. Both Muiris and Harry are so well respected by everyone in the traditional community and they did so much to help that tradition.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone in traditional music and, on behalf of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Alongside his many great musical achievements, Muiris can also take the credit for helping to save his adopted home in Miltown Malbay. The Willie Clancy Summer School raises an estimated € 6 million for the west Clare economy each year.

“Muiris was a man of great foresight and vision and that was a key part of the success of the school. No matter how much the school grew though, he always kept the common touch, he was always down to earth and interested in what was going on on the ground,” said Cllr Michael Hillery (FF).

“The Willie Clancy Summer School has been a huge boost to Miltown over the decades — not just to Miltown but to all the neighbouring towns as well. There are a number of businesses in town that wouldn’t have survived had it not been for the Willie Clancy Summer School.

“He will be missed by everyone in the town and we would all like to extend our sympathies to his wife Una, his daughter Maura and his son Seamus.”

THE Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group say they will use similar tactics to those used by the West Coast Surf Club should a Part 8 planning permission be granted to demolish the historic listed buildings at Blakes Corner in Ennistymon.

Members of the West Coast Surf Club last month halted the development by Clare County Council of a new pier in Doolin by using a Bord Pleanála regulation to force the local authority to commission an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

It was only the fourth time in the history of the state that this method was used to overturn a Part 8 planning permission and has resulted in major delays in the construction of the pier and ensured that entire project will have to go before the planning board again before it can be officially ratified.

“We are looking at a variety of options open to us at the moment. Part 8 planning means that the council can proceed with the demolition of the iconic and listed Blakes Corner without any reference to any external body. Further to this no appeal can be made to an mBord Pleanála,” said Denis Vaughan of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage.

“We are receiving legal advice on this but we are encouraged by recent events at Doolin Pier where a Part 8 was successfully overturned.

“We consider this move excessive and undemocratic and stinks of dic- tatorship. Why don’t the council proceed with the normal planning process? What are they trying to hide in not publishing the Southgate Report on Blakes Corner?”

A consultant’s report was completed on the development earlier this year but it is still unclear whether Clare County Council intend to circulate the findings of that report to its elected members before a Part 8 planning application comes before the council.

It is likely that the elected mem- bers of Clare County Council will be asked to vote on the Part 8 planning permission at the December or January meeting of Clare County Council.

Local councillor Bill Slattery (FG) yesterday called for a speedy resolution to the impasse at Blakes Corner.

“Whatever decision is reached by Clare County Council, I would like to see a resolution brought to the very serious health and safety risk and the traffic gridlock that these two buildings are causing for pedestrians, mo- torists and school children who are crossing the road at this dangerous junction,” said Cllr Slattery.

A spokesperson from Clare County Council said that it was up to “Save Ennistymon Heritage and the public in general to decide how they wish to react to proposals or decisions made and put into the public arena in relation to Blakes Corner”.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Clare County Council has not yet made any application in relation to Blakes Corner.

IT WAS a case of third time lucky on Sunday for Kilmaley man Christy Healy who became the person to successfully complete a 10km underwater dive.

Christy completed the swim in Lough Derg in a time of 6 hours, 21 minutes and will find out this week if he has secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Christy is aiming to become the first person in the world to complete a 10km underwater swim. Bad weather scuppered Christy’s first attempt at the swim from Doolin Pier in September.

Three weeks ago Christy then re- attempted the mammoth challenge from Doolin but had to pull out due to difficulties on the 9.4 km mark just when his goal was in sight. But the story was not to end there for Christy and the team. “After the set back a few weeks ago, I was determined not to be beaten. I am absolutely thrilled, and relieved, I might add, to have completed what I pledged to all of those who have contributed and supported me throughout,” says Christy

He added, “The entire team were not willing to give up and all the training, organisation and hard work has paid off,” he continues.

A team in excess of 20 people including snorkelers, rescue divers, paramedics, navigators, observers and support personnel descended on the shores of Lough Derg at 7am on Sunday. Once preparations were complete, the flotilla was launched and travelled 15km out into the lake. Christy was deployed into the water where he submerged and did not surface until he received the signal that he had reached his goal exactly 6 hours and 21 minutes later.

The records and evidence collected by the appointed teams will now be submitted to the Guinness World Records Office for confirmation of the achievement in the coming days.

Diving instructor Christy took on the challenge to raise money for the Share A Dream foundation. He was inspired to do after his family was affected by cancer.

In March 2010 Christy and wife Trish’s son Stephen, then aged 17, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a cancer of the lymphoid tissue.

Thankfully, after six months of chemotherapy and a kidney operation, Stephen has been given the all clear.

Shay Kinsella, the founder of Share A Dream Foundation, stated “Christy is a fantastic man to attempt this world record once again in only three weeks. His determination and strength totally identifies with the children we work with who are battling everyday of their lives with illness.”

AS NEW drink driving limits come into effect, gardaí in Clare are warning that they will be out in force this bank holiday weekend.

Drink driving, speeding and non wearing of seatbelts will be the main targets as members of the Clare Garda Division traffic corps set up random checkpoints all over the county.

From this Friday, October 28, the legal blood alcohol limit will be lowered from 80 mgms of alcohol per 100 mls of blood to 50 mgms of alcohol. Those found over the new limit will be given three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of € 200.

Those found to be over the existing limit of 80 mgms will be automatically disqualified from driving for six months and fined € 400. The option of taking a fine and points rather than going to court can only be availed of once in a three-year period.

Those who drive for a living and learner drivers will be subject to a ‘virtually zero’ limit of 20 mgms per 100mls of blood. Those caught over the limit will be disqualified for three months and fined € 200.

Experts say the only way people can guarantee not being over the new limits is not to drink and drive.

The head of the Clare Garda Division, Inspector John Galvin said the limits are “being reduced dramatically”. He said that Garda presence will be visible during the bank holiday weekend.

“Expect to see us. We will be out in force. We will have random checkpoints throughout the county. Expect to be stopped,” he said.

Inspector Galvin is advising car owners to ensure their vehicles are in good working order during the winter, when road conditions deteriorate.

“Coming into the winter is the time to get the car checked. Make sure it is mechanically sound. Check the tyres, lights and wipers. There are slippery road conditions, high winds and rain. Adjust speed accordingly. The advice for pedestrians and cyclists is to light up and keep in,” he said.

He is also advising joggers to run on footpaths and not on the roads.

So far this year, two people have been killed on the county’s roads – a driver and a pedestrian. While gardaí welcome the reduction in fatalities, they say that “it is two too many”.

“While the figures are down, we don’t want to become complacent,” said Inspector Galvin.

HUNDREDS of jobs could be created in Clare over the next decade as an oil and natural gas rush looks set to take place off the county’s west coast.

Providence Resources was last week granted an exploration license for the large Spanish Point South field by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This new field amounts to an estimated 1,500 square kilometres off the Clare coast and is more than twice the size of the combined Burren and Spanish Point (north) fields – which Providence are already exploring.

Seismic surveys have confirmed the presence of enough natural gas in the Spanish Point (north) field to meet Irish gas requirement for the next 60 year and should a similar amounts of gas and oil be realised in the Burren and Spanish Point South fields Clare could become Ireland energy capital for the next century.

These explorations could create thousands of jobs in Clare with massive opportunities to supply the fields from Harbour town such as Carrigaholt and Kilrush as well as from the proposed new pier at Doolin.

It could also create massive opportunities along the Shannon Estuary where a deep-water service hub is en- visioned to handle much of the heavy duty transport to and from the fields.

“The Shannon Estuary is one of the few natural resources that we have here in Clare which could really drive economic development and we have to be open to all possibilities as to how that could be developed,” said Clare Senator Martin Conway (FG).

“Anyone who is being shown any interest in developing something along the Shannon Estuary need to be encouraged and indeed the government need to go to these people and find them. These projects are something for a long way down the line and it could take a lot of years for anything to be realised out of them but we have to start somewhere.”

In a similar way to their explorations in the Burren and Spanish Point (north) fields, the new exploration will be a partnership arrangement between Providence and its industry partners Chrysaor and Sosina.

“Providence is delighted to have been awarded such a significant acreage position on the Irish Atlantic Margin as part of the 2011 Round. Our studies completed to date indicate a number of structures with significant potential which will greatly augment our already formidable acreage position offshore Ireland,” said Tony O’Reilly, CEO of Providence last week.

GARDAÍ in Clare are warning that they are cracking down on the circulation of illegal fireworks in the runup to Halloween.

Every year, various quantities of fireworks are seized and while the numbers seized in Clare this year are small, gardaí are warning of the dangers associated with them.

“There have been a couple of seizures. They are dangerous,” said the Clare Garda Division’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Joe Downey.

Operation Tombola, which targets the possession, use and sale or supply of illegal fireworks, kicked off last Thursday and will continue until next Tuesday.

As part of the nationwide initiative, gardaí can take measures to prevent the use of illegal fireworks.

“Misuse of fireworks can cause great injury and distress; annoyance to older persons; can cause stress to animals and can damage property by fire,” said Sgt Downey.

It is an offence to possess fireworks with intent to sell or supply to another; to throw an ignited firework at a person or property; to ignite a firework or cause it to be ignited.

On conviction, fines of up to € 2, 500 can be imposed in the district court, and/or six months in jail. Penalties are higher in higher courts.

Sgt Downey said that parents have a role to play to ensure that fireworks do not circulate.

“If you discover that your children have bangers or fireworks, please remove them and hand them into your local Garda station,” he said.

“Know where children are at all times and be even extra vigilant at this time of year. Ensure that your children are aware of the dangers associated with fireworks.

“Stay with your children and escort them on trick or treat visits, parties or events,” he added.

He is also urging parents to ensure that pets are kept indoors on Halloween night, which is next Monday.

Precautions should also be taken when lighting bonfires and people are urged to stay a safe distance from bonfires and fireworks. “Keep dangerous substances such as oil, petrol and diesel away from fires and fireworks,” he said. “Contact the local authority if you see a bonfire being built close to buildings, trees or overhead cables. If you see materials such as pallets or tyres being hoarded in advance, ring your local authority or garda station. Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property,” added Sgt Downey.