Category: News

KILRUSH Town Council has warned that “difficult decisions” will have to be made if the local authority is to ensure that it plays its part in the timetable laid down by the IMF for Ireland’s National Recovery Plan.

This warning has been sounded out by Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry in a comprehensive financial report for the year up to June 30, with some ratepapers described in the west Clare capital described as “very problematic”.

And, by way of confronting the problem of unpaid rates that are now running at an unprecedent level of 69 per cent, the council has warned that it may be forced to pursue people through the courts.

“The report highlights issues of concern in relation to the overall funding of Kilrush Town Council,” said Mr Corry is introducing his report. “Payments by customers continues to be very problematic. Rates collection at 30th June, 2011 stood at 31% in comparison to 39% at 30th June, 2010.

“Kilrush Town Council is dependent on rates income to maintain its operations as it represents 38.4% of Annual Income. The slowing payment pattern highlighted above has resulted in a considerable negative impact on cash flow.

“Kilrush Town Council is acutely aware of the commercial difficulties which rate payers are experiencing, and has adopted a practical approach in terms of payment plans to facilitate rate payers. However, where customers fail to engage to deal with amounts outstanding, recovery of the debt by legal means becomes necessary,” said Mr Corry.

The Town Council’s financial situation, brought on by unpaid rates has been exacerbated by a sharp rise in the arrears in housing rents in the first six months of the year as compared with the corresponding period last year.

“Arrears in housing rents have increased significantly since the beginning of the year,” reported Mr Corry, added that “rent collection at June 30 was 80 per cent in comparison to 87 per cent at the end of June, 2010. This increases reflects the current economic climate, but also impacts on cash flow to Kilrush Town Council”.

And, it’s the council’s warning that the Government “circular 3/2009 requires every local authority to ensure that its revenue account remains in balance for 2011 and consequently total expenditure must equal total income” that has opened up the live possibility of legal action being taken to ensure the books are balanced.

“This report highlights the difficulties that are facing Kilrush Town Council as we embark on the 2012 budget preparation process,” said Mr Corry. “Performance against budget is constantly monitored and managed. Difficult decisions have to be made to ensure that our current deficit can be eliminated,” he added.

THE Burren and the Cliffs of Moher was yesterday officially recognised as Ireland’s third UNESCO Global Geopark – a move which could have a major positive impact on the ecotourism industry in the county.

The official recognition, which was announced during the tenth European Geoparks Conference in Norway, is the culmination of more than three years of work done by a number of organisations in Clare, spearheaded by the Burren Connect Project.

With a number of tourism providers in the north Clare region now exploring the eco-tourism sector, it is hoped that this designation could increase the numbers visiting the Burren area and the Cliffs.

It was also clarified that the designation will not have any impact on the farming practices currently being employed in the Burren area.

“Global Geopark status does not create a national park or nature park, and does not permit open access to private property or land. It is the role of a Geopark to encourage visitors and communities to experience geology at publicly accessible sites and trails, where maintenance and access can be managed,” said Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

“Whilst the award has been granted to the Burren region, the actual components of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark are presently confined to specific public sites of geological and cultural interest, a network of visitor and education centres, the Burren Ecotourism Network businesses, and established walking routes such as the Burren Way and Burren looped walks.”

After the designation of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher there are currently 78 Geoparks in 26 countries around the world. Part of the focus of Geopark status is a ficus on educating the people of area in some of the more technical aspects of the land that they live in.

“A Global Geopark must support education programmes, such as the geology evening course held in spring of 2010 and 2011 in the Burren Outdoor Education Centre. We look forward to continue to play our part in increasing awareness of the important landscape of the Burren,” said Joanne McInerney, Manager of the Burren Outdoor Education Centre and Chair of the Burren Ecotourism Network.

“The Geopark project is organising a Geo-Explorer Day in collaboration with the Burren Outdoor Education Centre on Saturday October 15. The day’s events will include introductory caving, geo-kayaking, hill-walking and a family beach exploration.”

ENNIS will play host to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann at some time in the future, as befitting its status and reputation as being one of the primary homes and melting pots for traditional music in Ireland.

That’s the defiant message being aired this week by members of the broadband coalition of forces that came together to spearhead the county capital’s bid to play host to the 2012 staging of the event.

“It’s a big blow,” the chairman of the Fleadh Cheoil Working Group, Micheál Ó Riabhaigh, admitted this week, but he added defiantly “I would certainly believe that we will come back again.

“We have an excellent location for it. We have done an awful lot of the work. We have proven that we are regarded very highly in terms of a location, so I think it’s inevitable that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will come to Ennis,” he added.

“Ennis has a well deserved national and international reputation as a centre in which to enjoy superb tradition Irish music and we still believe it is a perfect fit for this wonderful event. This is not the end of our efforts to secure this prestigious event for Ennis, we will try again,” the Shannon Development chairman, Dr Vincent Cunnane told The Clare People .

The Ennis bid was officially launched last April, after the initial moves to bring the Fleadh back to Clare for the first time since 1977 were first proposed by the Abbey branch of Comhaltas Cheoltóirí Éireann in August of 2011.

The ambitious plans were subsequently backed by Clare Comhaltas, while Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Ennis Town Coun- cil and Clare GAA also rowed in with support.

“Meetings will be held fairly shortly to see where we go from here,” revealed Mr Ó Riabhaigh. “Our working group will meet later this week and we will do a review of the whole thing. The Abbey branch of Comhaltas that put in the initial bid will meet and there will be a meeting of the county board as well.

“I think people will give due consideration to the whole issue and to where we go forward from here. While we have been bitterly disappointed, the amount of work that we have done has been enormous and it has been a huge insight into the whole thing for us. We learned a great deal.

“It was mentioned by Labhrás Ó Murchú at the meeting that both Sligo and Ennis would have been two fantastic venues to stage Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and while they couldn’t give a commitment that they could allocate it to either town, immediately or in the near future, they felt very much that any one of the two towns would have been deserving winners,” added Mr Ó Riabhaigh.

PARTICIPANTS are gearing up for the 22nd annual Clare Garda cycle, which will set from Ennis on Saturday.

Members of the Clare Garda division will be joined from colleagues in Mayo and Galway for the cycle, which will take in an 84 mile round trip from Ennis to Gort.

This year’s event will raise money for Sláínte an Chláir – Clare Cancer Support – a Kilnamona based group that provides provide support for people living with cancer, their families and friends in a safe, positive, caring and confidential environment.

Clare Cancer Support provides access to information about diagnosis, treatment and care..

Crusheen based Garda Declan Keavey said as many 40 Gardaí will take part in the cycle. He said people could contribute money at their local Garda station or to passing cyclists.

Previous cycles have raised money for Cahercalla Hospice, Clarecare and the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Garda Michael O’Halloran, one of a group Gardaí who organised the first cycle from Ennis to Salthill in 1989, explained that Sláinte an Chláir was chosen this year in memory of two colleagues Mick Mulryan (Scariff) and Sgt Michael Haran (Ennis) who passed away in recent months.

He said the Clare Garda division was delighted to be associated with the group. He said the event had been strongly supported by the Clare public.

“People in Clare are brilliant, absolutely fantastic. Without them it wouldn’t have been a success”, he added.

Ennis woman Teresa Gilmartin, who is in recovery from cancer, praised the high standard of support on offer at Sláinte an Chláir.

“There is a lot of loneliness around after the treatment. It’s like being in a new body to be honest.

“You don’t know what these symptoms mean because they are all different. You’re body has totally changed. Its great to chat to somebody who has been there just to get the re-assurance.”

She added, “Anything they can do they will do. They are just so supportive. They are just the most wonderful people.”

Martin McMahon, treasurer of Sláinte an Chláir, explained that 600 people in Clare are diagnosed with cancer every year.

For further information on Clare Cancer Support, call 1850 211 630 or 087 691 2396 or email admin@clarecancersupport.com

IT HAS been claimed this week that a “masterplan” hatched between Comhaltas Ceoltóirí activists and political heavyweights in Northern Ireland has come between Ennis and playing host to its first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 35 years.

This conspiracy theory that scuppered the county town’s chances of being named host town for the 2012 spectacular, thereby denying the Clare economy a financial windfall of up to € 30m and long term tourism platform that such an event would create for the county.

In May, The Clare People exclusively revealed that behind the scenes preparatory work was taking place to bring the traditional music festival to Northern Ireland for the first time in its history in 2013.

At the time sources within Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann said a move to mount a campaign to bring the Fleadh to Derry in 2013 when it will be UK City of Culture could represent a nail in the coffin of Ennis’ 2012 bid.

“If it goes to Derry, the chances of it comes to Clare in 2012 will recede,” one Comhaltas insider revealed.

“This is because the usual thing is for a town to get the Fleadh two years in a row, but giving it to Derry will strengthen Cavan’s bid to be given the Fleadh for a third year in 2012 before they would then hand over to Derry the following year,” he added.

This concern was added to during this year’s Fleadh in Cavan when Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who is a native of Derry, threw their political weight behind any application to bring the festival there. Now, those worst fears, first exposed by The Clare People , have come home to roost with Cavan becoming the host town for the third successive year and Derry now widely expected to formally launch its Fleadh bid early next year. “Once Derry was mentioned, Ennis was in trouble,” local traditional music activist Joe Arkins said this week. “If Derry wasn’t in the background it should have been a straight shoot out between Sligo and Ennis to host to 2012 Fleadh, but now if Derry gets it in 2013, it could be 2014 before Ennis has a chance of hosting the Fleadh.” However, the chairman of the Fleadh Cheoil Working Group, Micheál Ó Riabhaigh, has rejected the notion that the spectre of the 2013 Derry bid has come between Ennis and hosting the festival. “I still believe that Derry is pure speculation,” he said. “There is a very definite process in Comhaltas for the allocation of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. It’s a process where towns have to apply for it and make their submissions and presentations and then it goes to a vote. “If the Ard Comhairle receive an application, process it and believe that Derry is the place for Fleadh Cheoil 2013, that’s where it will go, but it will be on the basis of a democratic vote by all the members of the Ard Comhairle,” he added.

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Ennis’ best-known families who are celebrating 50 years in the bakery business.

Pat and Mary O’Connor opened their first shop in Ennis, in 1961. Today, there are eight O’Connor’s Bakeries, which supply quality breads and confectionary to Ennis, Shan- non, Gort, Galway and Limerick.

At the September meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) proposed that the Council officially congratulate and recognise O’Connors on achieving the milestone. Cllr Brennan said the family had been good employers in Ennis and in other towns and had done an enormous amount of good work without seeking attention or acclaim.

“These people deserve to be recognised,” he added. Seconding the motion, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) described the O’Connor family as “quite hardworking people”.

He said the business employs between 140 and 145 people. Cllr Meaney said the family had implemented a good business model that other businesses should consider following. Councillors also backed pro- posals from the Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) for a Citizen Recognition Awards Scheme.

According to a report prepared by Town Clerk Eddie Power the objective of the scheme is to recognize local people/organizations who have made a significant contribution to community life in Ennis or by their actions raised the profile and image of Ennis.

Nominations will be sought from the public in five categories: (a) sport/recreation (b) community/volountary (c) business/professional (d) youth (e) arts and culture.

Councillors decided against selecting an overall winner. An adjudication panel comprised of councilors will decide who will be honoured in each category. The awards will be presented at a civic event.

IT LOOKS like Dev’s car is not on the move, at least not to Clare County Council’s headquarters.

The car, which was restored by Sixmilebridge businessman and councillor PJ Ryan and which weighs two tonnes, has been located in a garage at the back of the De Valera library in Ennis for a number of years.

Earlier this year, Independent Councillor Christy Curtin tabled a motion calling for the car to be relocated to the foyer of the county council’s building, Áras Contae an Chláir, where it would be prominently displayed.

However, in a letter presented at the monthly meeting of the county council yesterday, it was stated that the proposal was considered. However a number of issues arose.

According to Senior Executive Officer in Corporate Services, Michael McNamara, a number of issues required further detailed examination. These include the weight of the car and the structural capacity of the council’s foyer area to bear the load, along with possible damage to the limestone paviours in the foyer in getting the car into its location.

Councillors heard that underfloor heating distribution pipes are laid in the atrium floor slab and moving a car of his size would have a huge impact on this. Also, moving the car into the building would require one of the entrance doors to be disman- tled and re-assembled, at a significant cost.

“Since the car was restored earlier this year, there has been much interest in the car and several requests have been received for the ‘loan’ of the car for specific functions and events. These requests have not been accommodated,” wrote Mr McNamara.

County Manager Tom Coughlan told the meeting, “We looked at every possibility of trying to do it but unfortunately we can’t do it at this point in time.”

Cllr PJ Ryan (Independent) said, “I’m a bit disappointed that we can’t find a home for this particular piece of iconic history.”

“It has to stay where it is for the time being. The only thing I’m concerned about is if we get inclement weather and the River Fergus flows over, the building is going to get flooded again,” he added.

Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ Kelly said he was “very, very disappointed with the response” from the executive.

He said if the weight of the car would challenge the capacity of the council’s headquarters, “if that’s the situation we had better get out of an unsafe building”.

Mr Coughlan said he wished to refute any suggestions that the building was not safe.

A LEADING teacher in Alexander Technique will visit Clare later this month to present an introductory course in what has become a huge phenomenon in the county.

Richard Brennan, who lives in Galway, will be in the Kilmaley Day Care Centre on September 24 and 25.

The event is organised by Andrea Martin a lawyer living in Inch, who herself has found the technique very helpful.

The course will be of particular interest to anyone who suffers from back pain as well as people who have sustained injuries through sport, mu- sic, acting or various other interests.

Alexander Technique has been credited for playing a key role in assisting several people recovering from various ailments.

Penelope Easten, is an Alexander Technique teacher living in Ogonnelloe, said it is ideal for everyone.

She explained the idea behind the Technique. “If you have a tight back, it is because your brain has the muscles set too short. No matter how much yoga or gym you do, you won’t change that. You can do yoga to strengthen the muscles but you have to work at it. None of them change the default settings, which is what we are doing,” she said.

“It is suitable for anybody. It is for people who want to look after themselves. If somebody’s back hurts, a pill is a quick fix, but it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Although Alexander is expensive, it is long term,” she said.

“The youngest I have been working with is eight years old and the oldest is 86. Most people come along because they have a bad back or neck or hip or shoulder, or neck or elbow,” said Penelope.

“I work a lot with musicians. They learn to use their body in a better way. I also prepare people for public speaking. We have been taught to think of the body and mind as separate, but in reality they are linked. The body and mind work together.

“Poor computer use can lead to neck strain or headache.

“Most of my work is one to one sessions with individual pupils,” she said.

She said that the Technique is catching on in Ireland. “Any classical musician will know about it. Any actor will know about it. More and more doctors will know about it,” she said.

Anyone interested in attending the course should contact Andrea on 087 2233835 or email andrea_ martin@ireland.com.

CLARE County Council faces a bill of up to € 1.5 million to fix a large number of metered stop valves which were installed incorrectly by developers during the property boom.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 homes in the county are believed to still have the defective valves – which were intended for use in warmer climates and are prone to break during cold spells, such as those witnessed over the past two winters.

Clare County Council has repaired a number of these valves for free over the past two years as many of the developers who installed the valves were either non-contactable or out of business.

It was revealed at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council that the local authority had no funds available to it to provide repairs of this kind in the future.

It was also revealed that the cost of repairs for the existing stock of defective valves could come to between € 1.1 million and € 1.5 million.

“I know that the council have had to do a lot retrofit work for people in these houses because of the hardship that we have seen over the last couple of winters and that a lot of work has not been done to proper specifications,” said Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind).

“Let’s hope that this winter will not be as bad as previous winters, but if it is then we are going to get a large number of people who will have difficulty with this. The problem is that the specifications were not followed.

“The quality of the metres was not the issue but the type of the valves were made for a warmer climate and they won’t stand up to the lower temperatures. There is no funding to fix this problem so the people who are losing out are the people who bought properties in good faith and will have to go without water.”

According to a council spokesperson the defective valves have been installed on houses all over the county and are not confined to any particular type of house or contractor.

“It is awful to see water flowing down footpaths and roads, especially when there is no clean water in the houses beside them. The general public should not have to suffer because of the bad work done by certain contractors,” said Joe Cooney (FG).

ENNIS Town Council anticipates that work on a crucial upgrade of the Ennis / Clarecastle sewerage scheme will begin in the first half of 2012 pending approval from An Bord Pleanála.

The Council’s latest quarterly progress report states that the project is likely to cost € 2.8 million.

The report states, “An Bord Pleanála has indicated that they will make their decision by early November. Clare County Council intends to proceed to tender once de- tails of An Bord Pleanála decision is known and this will take a period of three months. Work should start in the second quarter in the second quarter of 2012 and the contract period is for 12 months. A review of the water services investment programme has included the project to the value of € 2.8 million.”

An oral hearing on the environmental impact survey for the upgrade works at the Clondroadmore Treatment Plant was held in Ennis on July 28.

At the hearing, David Timlin, Director of Environment and Water Services at Clare County Council, described the upgrade as urgent, saying it was needed to cater for future commercial development in Ennis.

The proposal forms part of a coherent plan for the provision of upgraded facilities to treat all wastewater arising in the entire Ennis area.

At the time Mr Timlin stated that certain wastewater license conditions issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cannot be met until the plant upgrade is completed.

Recommending that the project get the go-ahead, Andrew Hersey, Executive Planner with Ennis Town Council, said that “Since 2006, planning applications for large residential and commercial schemes have been refused in the basis of inadequate capacity in the public sewer and prematurity pending the provision of sewerage facilities in the town.”

Mr Hersey added that without an upgrade to the wastewater network, “future development in the town will stagnate and the success of the town as a hub town for the mid-west region will ultimately fail”.