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AS THE summer begins to slowly wind down, Coole Park will be a hive of activity over the next few weeks with a range of free events for all shapes and sizes.

Events kick off in ghoulish fashion tonight, when the Galway Bat Group will host a Bat Walk in the park, meeting up at 8pm weather permit- ting.

A range of events to mark National Heritage Week, starting this week- end, will follow tonight’s talk.

“We have about eight of the nine species of bats in Ireland living here in Coole. The Galway Bat Group

will be coming along on the night with bat detectors which can detect the different sounds that the bats make,” said Hilda Mac Lochlainn, Head Guide with Nation Parks and Wildlife Service at Coole Park. ‘They will tell us what the species are that we are listening to and see- ing and in what direction they can be found. It’s a really great event for children and all the family. They get to see the bats and they also get to hear the bats through the detector.” The centrepiece of this year’s Her- itage Week Programme at Coole will be a pair of multi-media exhibition. The first, a film of Lady Gregory and Coole Park and a multi-media exhi-

bition on Coole ‘through the eyes of Me and Nu’ — the granddaughters of Lady Gregory – will take place all day Sunday August 26 and Septem- ber 2. On Saturday September 1, an award winning short-film by the stu- dents of Tubber National School will also be shown.

“We try to have a mix of events for all age groups and tastes. We try to focus on the history of Coole as well as focusing on the natural beauty and uniqueness of the area,’ continued Hilda.

“It was a project where national schools are asked to make a short- film on their area and Tubber decided to look at school and education in the

past. Part of it was recorded in Tub- ber and some of it was also recorded here in Coole.

‘The entered the Clare competition which they won so we are delighted to have a special screening of the film on Saturday, September 1. We are hoping to have some of the peo- ple who were involved in making it, here so they can talk a bit about it and answer questions.”

All of these activities are free of charge and are organised by the Na- tional Parks and Wildlife Service with help from the Friends of Coole and the Heritage Office of Galway County Council. For more contact O91 631804.

THE Burren coastal village of Bally- vaughan is becoming a weekender’s paradise and a weekday ghost town.

That is the view of two Bally- vaughan residents who made their claim during the course of an objec- tion against plans by Kevin Tuohy to build 44 homes in the village.

In their objection, Brendan and Katherine O’Donoghue stated that, “further holiday homes are not re- quired for Ballyvaughan. The com- munity cannot thrive or support a

range of services with empty houses most the year round”.

“This village is becoming a week- ender’s paradise and a weekday and winter ghost town. A balance is needed now in the village and any unnecessary development pressure must be avoided.”

The land is zoned ‘other settlement land’ which allows for restricted housing development, however, the O’Donoghues state that the develop- ment represents total overdevelop- ment in the small village.

“This development does not rep-

resent controlled settlement growth and its scale does not keep pace with the village infrastructure.

In her objection, Pauline Burke of the Ballyvaughan Lodge said, “It should be quite clear already that this development is unsustainable due to water and traffic alone.

“The resident make-up in Bally- vaughan at present is approximately 70 per cent holiday home owners. Given these statistics, it 1s clear that the developer intends to market this development as holiday accommo- dation. We do not feel that this is in

keeping with the current government policy on development in villages in the west of Ireland.”

“We would consider that the lack of two bedroom accommodation will price local people out of the market and is a further example of the inten- tion to market this development as holiday accommodation.”

Ballyvaughan resident, Barry R1- chards said that, “the public sewerage is insufficient to cater for an extra 44 dwellings and to use septic tanks for such a large development would be damaging to the environment.”

FEARS over worsening anti-social behaviour in the north Clare resort of Lahinch have sparked opposition against a proposed housing develop- ment in the town.

In an objection against the appli- cation by Patricia Stackpoole for 10 homes on Station Road in Lahinch, John and Ita Coughlan state that **be- fore the massive housing develop- ment in the area, we had peace and quietness, now we dread weekends in wintertime and have to put up with

the excess noise and vandalism dur- ing the summer months, when our sleep is disrupted nightly from lam to 6am as there is an endless flow of people — who are mostly intoxicated — on their way back from pubs or house parties.”

They add, “This development of 10 houses will constitute over-density in the area. Serious problems of anti- social behaviour are already evident here and we feel that this will add to the problem.

“Our property, including our car, has been vandalised on a number of

occasions.

“This development will certainly depreciate the value of our homes, the fact that it is so close to our boundary wall. We will also have to experience excess of noise and traffic.”

In her objection, Marie O’ Donoghue states, ““Lahinch is a seaside village and haphazard back land develop- ment of this nature and size consti- tutes over-density and urbanisation and is not in keeping with the char- acter of the village and detrimental to the life of the elderly residents ad- jacent to it.

“There are practically no perma- nent residents living on Main Street, Lahinch at this time and residents of the satellite roads are being pushed out also to make room for more hol1- CEM a ste entey

“The ‘Cois Tra’ development itself is an example in that planning was eae DOLKerO MME A OCOKoMEAY S100 MEA SOMO I OLUNT-IBCOyN) that it was for permanent residents, but this is not the case. The proposed ‘Cois Tra Close’ will be an extension of this.

“The proposed development will cause serious disruption to the eld-

erly residents adjacent to it and, in particular, during the construction as it is proposed that all site machinery and construction works access will be through the proposed walkway which is between two houses of long- term residents of Station Road.

‘Lahinch has serious problems with anti-social behaviour, which has been widely reported in the press, with se- rious concerns being expressed by both Lahinch Community Council and the Garda.”

A decision is due on the application JE Trovamdebkomonteyelaen

SCHOOLS in Scariff are to be asked to examine what has been done in their area about government policy on sustainable development.

Their findings will be part of a plan to develop their area in a way which will benefit the environment, the economy and generations to come.

Following a recent open meeting in Scariff to draw up a sustainable development plan for the village and surrounds, Bob Wilson of the Centre For Environmental Living and Train-

ing said there was a “strong feeling from those attending that there is a lack of knowledge of what sustainable development is all about and how it can benefit all aspects of life – social, environmental and economic. It was agreed that local schools should be approached with a view to assessing how aspects of Local Agenda 21 have been implemented – or not – and to come up with ideas that could lead to ereater sustainability. This can then feed into a draft plan for sustainable development for the community. This will be a gradual process allowing for

input from everyone’, he said.

The aim is to draw up a plan which would then be considered by the com- munity council and one which plan- ners and local authority departments could take on board.

At the recent meeting in Scariff, representatives from a number of community and local organisations and businesses came to hear Andrew St Ledger explain the meaning of sus- tainable development as put forward from Agenda 21. Sustainable Devel- opment, he told the gathering, means meeting the needs of this generation

without compromising the social, en- vironmental and economic needs of future generations.

Andrew gave details of Agenda 21 which was signed up to by Ireland and 175 other countries, then talked about the success experienced by towns and cities in other countries where sus- tainable development has been put into practice. Further meetings on the subject are now being planned and it’s hoped to involve representatives of every aspect of life and community in Scariff in the discussion and drawing Thomo) KOMen Ice

With the latest fear of a major Foot and Mouth outbreak starting to abate, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan TD, has announced a range of measures de- signed to protect the Irish horse in- CliamtA

Speaking during last week’s Dublin Horse Show, the minister announced that she has stepped up measures to protect Irish horse breeders with stricter enforcement and inspection of passports and identification for horses to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Coughlan said her department of- ficers will have enhanced powers in the enforcement of the EU regula- tions on identification of horses. In

addition, marts, sales yards and other premises where horses are assembled are required to ensure that horses entering their premises have valid passports. Department Inspectors will carry out random inspections to ensure compliance with these regula- tions by both horse owners and other operators in the country.

“Complhance with the new regula- tions is essential for the protection of the country’s equine population and industry, with the sport horse sector alone now worth in excess of EUR400 million and involving 53,000 peo- ple,’ said Minister Coughlan.

It 1s now just over a year since Ireland experienced its first case of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), a threat that almost forced the can- cellation of last year’s Dublin horse

show.

“Of the many lessons learned, we now appreciate the necessity of hav- ing an effective identification sys- tem for horses. The department will therefore be supporting new regula- tions being drafted by the EU Com- mission to provide for a national database for horses in each Member State,” she continued.

Minister Coughlan expressed her appreciation of the bloodstock in- dustry and, particularly, the sports horse sector, for its co-operation and patience during the outbreak and said that the efficient and expeditious manner in which the outbreak had been contained and eradicated could not have been achieved but for the commitment of the Department and the industry working together for the

benefit of all involved.

The minister concluded by remind- ing horse owners, stud managers and others in the industry to remain vigi- lant and to continue to exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to minimise the prospects of any fur- ther outbreaks of the disease.

Equine Infectious Anaemia also known by horsemen as “Swamp Fe- ver’, is a horse disease caused by a retrovirus and transmitted by blood- sucking insects.

The virus is endemic in the Amert- cas, parts of Europe, the Middle and Far East, Russia, and South Af- rica. EIA can be transmitted through blood, saliva, milk, and body se- cretions. Transmission is_ usually through blood-sucking insects, such as the horse-fly and deer-fly.

A DELEGATION of local tourism development agencies left Shannon yesterday (Monday) on a five-day promotional drive in the United States aimed at showcasing Shannon Airport as a key gateway to Ireland.

Representatives of Clare County Council, Shannon Development, Clare Tourist Council, Clare ‘Tour- ism Forum and Shannon Heritage will meet with members of the Irish- American business community in Chicago before attending the world’s largest Irish culture festival in Wis- Loyetssnte

Last year, more than 3,000 peo- ple from the American Midwest and Northeast are believed to have booked flights directly into Shan- non Airport as a result of the Clare tourism delegation’s presence at the Milwaukee Irish Fest.

“Aer Lingus’s axing of services from Shannon to Heathrow has led to fears that the airline could be ca- pable of curtailing or even ceasing its direct services from the County Clare airport to the US.

‘That is why this week’s promo- tional drive takes on added impor- tance for the tourism agencies in the mid-west,’ said Mayor of Clare, Cllr

Patricia McCarthy.

“The introduction of Open Skies has raised concerns over whether the level of transatlantic business at the airport can be sustained.

’Clare County Council, along with other leading tourism bodies in Ire- land’s mid-west region, has adopted a more proactive approach in a bid to maintain and build on this business by marketing the airport as a key gateway to the west of Ireland. Over the coming days, we will seek to raise awareness of the many airlines operating flight services between Shannon and New York, Boston and Chicago,” she said.

The Milwaukee Irish Fest, estab- lished in 1981 by members of the city’s Irish community, is renowned as the world’s largest Irish culture SATE

Covering 74 acres of Lake Michi- gan’s shoreline, the event showcases Irish music, history, dance, sports and culture.

County Clare has been named as the central theme of this year’s Fest. The Clare tourism delegation will be located in the “Cultural Village” where thousands of promotional bro- chures on Shannon Airport and the region’s attractions will be distrib- uted to over 140,000 festivalgoers.

THE EAST Clare Walking group are taking to a pilgrim route in Spain to help answer the prayers of children in Mountshannon who need a play- ground.

Seven walkers are dividing the 1,000 miles of the El Camino Way of Santiago pilgrimage route between them to raise cash towards providing the playground.

While they’re walking in Spain, fund-raising will be on-going at home.

“We got an allocation of €41,500 from the county council and we raised €850 packing supermarket bags,” said Jane Murray, the Mount-

shannon woman behind the push to provide play facilities.

Jane began her campaign at the be- ginning of the year when she took on the provision of a playground as her practical project in her NUIG Diploma Course in Community De- (oJ Ce) oyaeto elm

She took on the project just two weeks before the deadline for appli- cations for county council funding and produced a very comprehensive proposal for a playground in the Ai- stear Park.

In compiling it, Jane researched playgrounds all over the county and sent a questionnaire to pupils in the national school to find out what their ideal play facility would be.

Children drew pictures on the back of their questionnaires and the best in each class won and easter egg for their help with the research.

But while the allocation from the lo- cal authority was a huge boost to the scheme, there is still up to €70,000 needed before the happy laughter of children playing on slides and swings can be heard in the Aistear.

So Jane is sending out a letter to every household in the area, asking people to support the fund.

“I’m asking people to donate what- ever they can, however big or small,” said Jane.

“We have a long way to go but peo- ple can help by making a donation through the Mountshannon Play-

eround Fund at the Bank of Ireland in Scariff or by putting money in one of our collection buckets,” said Jane.

The account number for anyone wishing to donate is 64555064, sort code, 90 44 13.

Collection boxes have been left at Callura Pottery, the Mountshannon Hotel, Cois na hAbhna, Keane’s Bar, O’Brien’s Post Office and the Bridge Bar.

Mountshannon was one of a number of areas around the county which were given cash to get their playground projects off the ground.

Parteen and Meelick also got a cash boost towards the provision of play facilities and are now in the planning SRR Sxen

ame) aale gust 10 just 22 people had taken ad- vantage of the “cheaper flights” from Belfast to London Heathrow from

January 14 to 21, 2008. The total revenue from these fares was a mere £412 sterling.

The airline has the capacity to carry as many as 9,/44 people in its four slots from the Northern Ireland airport during that period.

The three slots that would have been used during this winter period in Shannon could have carried 7,308 passengers.

More than 6.5 per cent of the ca- pacity of these flights for January 14 to 21, 2008 had already been booked when Aer Lingus announced it was

cancelling the route.

Instead, the coveted slots were be- ing transferred to Belfast.

Critics of the decision have argued it makes no business sense.

Last year, more than 321,000 peo- ple travelled the London Heathrow/ Shannon route. Of that number, 25 per cent were estimated to be busi- ness passengers while 33 per cent came through London Heathrow from the USA or Europe.

Chief Executive of Limerick Cham- ber Maria Kelly said, “The Shannon- Heathrow service has been operating

successfully and profitably for over half a century and the removal of these services will effectively cut off the West of Ireland from all major European cities and key destinations in the Middle and Far East. This will have serious implications for both tourism and business in the region.

“Cork, Dublin and Belfast will continue to have links to Heathrow and the other great European hubs to connect travellers to long-haul inter- national flights but the west and mid- west regions will now be deprived of this,” she said.

Tadhg Kearney, Limerick Chamber transport spokesperson, added, “It is important to emphasize that the Shannon-Heathrow route is success- ful and profitable and is one where Aer Lingus has for decades enjoyed an effective monopoly because of slot capacity restrictions in Heath- row Airport. They are now abandon- ing this profitable monopoly route to instead enter the highly competitive Belfast-Heathrow market against two other significant operators. One must question the commercial logic behind such a decision.”

A 29-YEAR-old man who appeared in court to provide a cash surety to secure bail for a friend, found him- self in custody after it transpired a warrant for his arrest has been in force for almost five years. Romanian national Jon Gratian Serban of 5, Sundale Lawn, Tallaght in Dublin, appeared at Ennis District Court to provide an independent cash surety of €2,000 for Cereasala M1-

halaiche, also from Romania, who faces a charge of theft following her arrest in Miltown Malbay County Clare. Ms Mihalaiche, with an ad- dress at 1, Phibsboro Drive, Dublin 7 appeared in court in Ennis last week in relation to the theft charge. She was remanded in custody with con- sent to bail on that date.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Judge Leo Malone was told that a friend of the accused was in court and was in a position to provide a

cash surety to secure bail. Howev- er, during questioning by Inspector Michael Gallagher, it emerged that the accused had previously been ar- rested and charged with burglary, al- leged to have taken place on 18 July, 2002, 1n Dublin.

Solicitor for Ms Mihalaiche, Wil- liam Cahir, said he was not aware of this turn of events and the matter was adjourned briefly. Ms Mihalai- che was, however, allowed take up bail and after signing the necessary

documentation was released from custody. She is due to appear at En- nistymon District Court again on 5 Yo) oles 00lolos matey. a

Mr Serban was arrested outside the court and brought before the Judge Inspector Gallagher told the court that a warrant for Mr Serban’s arrest was issued on 30 September, 2002, at Kilmainham District Court after he failed to appear in court. The inspec- tor sought to have the accused re- manded in custody to Dublin District

Court on 17 August next.

Mr William Cahir, now acting for Mr Serban, said, “This is an unusual case. I would ask the court to accept my client’s bone fides in the matter and that he was not aware that a war- rant for his arrest existed.”

Judge Leo Malone agreed that it was an unusual case but after hear- ing details of the accused’s bank Statements, remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail in the sum of €1,000.

SOUTH-EAST Clare is to get a new state-of-the-art health centre.

It will be located at Westbury and is scheduled to open next summer.

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that the new centre will provide a wide range of services for infants to older people in the provi- sion of primary community and con- tinuing care services.

The new development at Riverdale, Westbury will provide public health nursing, community welfare serv- ices, child health clinics and dental oss Goh

Therapy rooms will be available for treatments such as speech and language therapy and occupational and physiotherapy services.

Locals have been campaigning for such a centre for several years as services had to be provided in the Presbytery attached to St Nicholas Parish church. There were delays in going ahead with the development with problems regarding its location and funding.

Local Labour cllr Pascal Fitzger- ald who lives in Westbury said its great to see this project now coming on stream and “we are now seeing interest being shown by the HSE”.

Killaloe cllr Tony O’Brien said it is a very welcome development for the people of south-east Clare and he looked forward to its completion.

‘There were hold-ups and difficul- ties along the way, but now that its going ahead its better late than nev- er,’ he said.

This part of Clare has seen spec- tacular population growth in recent years stretching from Ardnacrusha across to Clonlara.

Once a rural county, Clare’s new housing estates are now taking over the landscape and early develop- ments in Westbury resulted in severe flooding with flood waters entering

elehyene

Today Westbury is serviced by a new mixed business retail com- plex and Clare County Council has opened offices there to cater for the needs of the people in east Clare.

The new proposed health centre will further strengthen the infra- structural needs of the area which is now a parish of the diocese of Lim- erick complete with a church for the ever-growing population. Parishion- ers who send their children to Scoil Ide in Corbally and Parteen School now want a school in their own par- ish as the other two schools are expe- riencing overcrowding.