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THERE was a time, up to about four years ago when Shannon property prices lagged behind other towns in the county, but this is no longer the case. The airport town has played serious ‘catch-up’ and starter homes are now on a price par with those in Ennis.

According to Fachtna O’Donovan of Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, “the price of property was artificially low, because Shannon Devel- opment housing stock was sold off cheaply throughout the town, keeping the price of town houses down. This in turn affected the price of property in the higher price brackets”.

He added, “town houses are now reaching their true value and this has had a knock-on af- fect, having increased the value of property in the higher brackets too. Shannon prices used to be, on average, 30% lower than Ennis, this has now narrowed to zero in some brackets, although in the more expensive detached cat- egory, similar properties will make more in Ennis”.

Rory Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Auctioneers, Shannon, agrees that Shannon property prices have come of age. “In the second hand mar- ket, good quality semi-detached properties, in fairly new developments are on a price par with their counterparts in Ennis. Prices for the older terraced style housing are around €150,000 plus. We recently sold a mid-terrace house in good order in Aidan Park for €163,000. The detached property market is small in Shannon and you can expect to spend €260,000 upwards

for this type of property.”

As a yardstick for prices achieved on modern apartments, Fitzpatrick said, “we recently sold 800 sq ft two-bedroom apartments in Ballyca- sey for €168,000”.

Fitzpatrick continued, “We have a develop- ment called Cluain Alainn, in Hurler’s Cross, on our books. Phase One sold out really quick- ly. It’s a mixed development of 57 houses built by Martin Fitzgibbon. The semi-detached

houses appealed to first time buyers and inves- tors, while the detached houses attracted buyers trading up, from Shannon. The semi-detached properties started in price from €185,000 and the detached houses from €230,000. All of the houses in Phase One were sold off plans about 6—9months ago”.

With a very buoyant rental market, investors remain interested in property in the airporttown. A new ‘tax designated’ development called Bru

na Sionna, currently under construction is sure to appeal to investors and professionals alike, working in the airport town. Apartments in the visually striking, up-market development have been released for sale by Sherry FitzGer- ald McMahon. The scheme consists of 119 two and three bedroom apartments, penthouses and three bedroom townhouses. The units are laid out in five blocks ranging in height from two to six storeys. Each block differs in style and shape, with some having gardens around them and others have balconies and terraces.

All of the properties are tax designated un- der the Urban Renewal Scheme and qualify for Section 23-type relief of up to 92 per cent. The two bedroom apartments cost from €228,000, town houses are priced from €262,000, while prices for the penthouses have yet to be final- ised.

Fachtna O’Donovan believes that the rental market will continue to remain strong in Shan- non. Commenting on current trends, he said, “Shannon is proving very popular with work- ers from overseas and workers from other parts of Ireland, due to the jobs availability in the towns’ industrial estates and the airport”.

O’Donovan concluded, “having been in Shannon since the mid sixties, I can see the town finally maturing into what was envisaged by the planners back in the fifties. In fact many people who have moved to Shannon in recent years have said to me that they would prefer to live in Shannon rather than Ennis or Limerick due to the facilities, the safe feeling they get in the town and the sense of community”’.

NACMm ALS Pope’s recent address at World Youth Day, Bish- op Walsh said that the Pope delivered his mes- sage “in a gentle and humble way and not in the way predicted by many in the media. His message was a very tra- ditional one”’.

Thirty young people from the Diocese of Killaloe – accompa- nied by local priests, Fr Donogh O’Meara and Fr Tom Hogan – travelled to Cologne in Germany to partake in the first World Youth Day celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

The group were part of a one-million crowd that were told by Pope Benedict that “in vast

areas of the world, there is a forgetfulness of God, a sense of dis- satisfaction with every- Oy item TeeM aio mAneun ero

The Pope said that religion constructed on a ‘do-it-yourself’ basis “cannot ultimately help ae

Dr Walsh said _ that the Pope “was_ look- ing at our world where there is a serious need for all of us to consider the things that bring us happiness and there is strong evidence that material success or in- stant satisfaction does not bring happiness and people are looking for something deeper and not just new-age spirituality that tend to say to people how you feel about yourself. The Pope put these solid truths before the young people.”

Dr Walsh said that the new Pope “is very clear in his beliefs”. He said: ‘He comes across as a very humble and gentle person.”

MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL

A CLARE village which has undergone a population explosion has three fewer gardai than it had when just 150 people Tere dats) Ken

There is now just one garda on duty in Quin and he can be called to Shannon to assist there if the need arises.

A car burned out in the middle of the village on Sunday night is just one ex- ample of why more gardai are needed to protect and patrol the village, which has grown from 150 inhabitants to more than 1,000, locals say.

“When I was young, this village had four gardai. Now we have just one and he is regularly called away to duties elsewhere.

“The garda we have does a very good job, but he can’t be two places at once,” said Sonny Scanlan, Fine Gael Council- lor for Quin and Deputy Mayor.

‘This is one of the fastest growing ar- eas in Clare and we need more gardai.

“We would also like to see any extra garda brought-in, living in the area,” said the councillor.

Cllr Scanlan said that locals and their representatives have waged a long cam- paign for more policing in the town.

“The Government promised to pro- vide 2,000 extra gardai but there has been no sign of any coming here.

“I have spoken to senior officers and they tell me they believe we will not have another member sanctioned for Quin,” said Cllr Scanlan.

The councillor added that it was someone from outside the Quin area who was responsible for the arson at- tack on the car.

“But you do not know what will hap- pen from day to day and we need more gardai,” Cllr Scanlan said.

AN ENNIS couple who withdrew a plan- ning objection, after they were paid over €100,000 and given two free sites by a development company, may object to a €15m development by the same develop- ase

Last year, Vincent & Ann Coffey of Clonroad withdrew an objection against a €20 million housing scheme after reach- ing the deal with Luxury Homes (Gal- way) Ltd.

But, the payment did not stop the Cof- feys from successfully blocking a subse- quent application by the same developers to build a €10 million development on zoned lands in Ennis.

An Bord Pleanala upheld the Coffeys’ appeal against the decision by Clare County Council to grant planning per- mission to the company for 88 residential units on Ennis’s Quin Rd.

Now, Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd have lodged plans with the Council for 108 two-bedroom apartments at Doora, En- eh

According to Managing Director of Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd, Sean Cleary, the proposed new development lies “in the next field” to the development that was turned down last year, due to op- position from the Coffeys.

The deal with the Coffeys only emerged in correspondence received by An Bord Pleanala, before it rejected that develop- ment.

The Coffeys objected, arguing that their lands were used as a Knackery Yard and that if the housing was permitted, it would seriously impact on the validity of their operation.

The Coffeys were unavailable for com- ment this week. They have until Septem- ber 12 to lodge a submission with the Council.

IN RESPONSE to concerns expressed by local _ resi- dents, An Bord Pleanala this week turned down planning permission for contentious plans to provide accommo- dation for students at Drum- geely, Shannon.

Earlier this year, Anthony Fitzpatrick was refused plan- ning permission by Clare County Council for 32 accom- modation units at Drumgeely after strong opposition by lo- cal residents.

Along with the 32 units, Mr Fitzpatrick also lodged plans for a basement car parking area for 54 spaces and two tennis courts which are to be constructed over the car park area.

In response to the Coun- cil decision, Mr Fitzpatrick lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, claiming that he is providing substantial com- munity facilities within the area in line with Ministerial Directives and National Strat- egy and that the scheme will serve to facilitate the College of Hotel and Catering Man- agement.

Mr Fitzpatrick also claimed

that the design of the develop- ment is respectful of the sur- rounding built form and fur- ther claimed that the Council has not given fair considera- tion of the application, nor the planned strategic development of residential and community uses in this area.

However, in submissions made to An Bord Pleanala by Drumgeely Residents Asso- ciation and Derek Barrett, it is claimed there is no comfort that the units will not be sold as private apartments. They also express concern over the disruption caused by construc- tion of the apartments.

However, in his assessment, the Board Inspector concluded that the proposal would be a material contravention of the Development Plan.

The Inspector also stated that he was “extremely con- cerned” with the proposal for access into the proposed de- velopment, and the proposal for car parking within the scheme.

In refusing planning per- mission, the appeals board ruled that proposed develop- ment constitutes overdevelop- ment of this central area of Open space within an estab-

lished residential scheme. The proposed development would result in a significant and un- acceptable loss of amenity within this residential area, and would have a significant and adverse impact on the res- idential amenity of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of detour acre

It also ruled that the pro- posed development is located on lands zoned primarily to conserve and enhance land for Open space and amenity pur- poses in the South Clare Eco- nomic Corridor Local Area Plan. The proposed develop- ment would materially contra- vene this zoning objective.

The Board also found that the proposed tennis courts, having regard to their prox- imity to a number of the apartments, would seriously injure the amenities of future residents by reason of noise and general disturbance. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and_= sus- tainable development of the

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THE second annual Seisiun na hHireann, a festival of traditional Irish music, will take place in Quin at the end of September. Tra- ditional music events will take place in four pubs in the village over the week- end — Malachy’s, The Abbey Tavern, The Vil- lage Inn and The Monks Well Inn.

The event follows on from a hugely successful inaugural festival last year. This year’s prize fund has

increased to €8,000, while pubs taking part will also be presented with plaques.

In total, 18 groups of renowned and upcoming musicians took part last year, with O’Connor’s pub in Doolin emerging as the overall winners. Enquiries have been flowing in for this year’s festival, with entries from all over the world.

In addition to the com- petitions, there will also be open sessions in the pubs over the weekend and a ceili in the local com-

munity hall on Saturday night.

‘The festival is open to people of all ages. We have had enquiries from people as far away as New York. There will be good vari- ety, with song and dance, along with an element of humour. There will be something for everyone,’ said organiser Eileen Has- sett.

The event will be offi- cially launched on Satur- day, September 3, with an open air event at Malachy’s bar.

to let to a per- son with references. Kilkishen area. Tel 087 6950735.

THE TIDY Towns committee in Shannon has hit out at thoughtless individuals who stole plants from pots in two parts of the town.

A huge effort has taken place around the town for the tidy towns competition, adjudication for which has been taking place in re- cent weeks.

The progress has been hindered by the work of people who took the plants. Gold and yellow marigolds were stolen from Rossbracken and red begonias were taken from out- side the Town Hall.

“We were livid. We had to re- place them. A couple of dozen of plants were taken. I just cannot understand how someone could come along and lift them out of their pots. We had to replace them but hopefully the judges weren’t around when the plants were gone,” said acting chairperson of the Tidy

Towns committee Tess Barry.

“We were very disappointed as we wanted them to look good. It isn’t young people who are doing NOD ISMAMECD OL oMAV6 (6 (0x0 B

The act was particularly annoy- ing for the Tidy Towns committee, as effors were being made to im- prove on last year’s performance. Then, while an improvement of six points was scored, the litter section showed a poor performance.

“We did well last year and hope- fully the litter is better this year than last year as a big effort has been made by all of the residents associations, particularly those in Corrib Drive and Fergus,’ added SRSB or huas

SY NToML NOUR Ole) B eae MBDLAKO Mme DKOCOE should be appointed in Shannon, to deal with the general litter problem throughout the town.

The adjudication for the Tidy Towns competition has been com- pleted and the results are due to be

announced in Dublin on Septem- ber 12.

Factors such as overall develop- ment approach, landscaping, wild- life and natural amenities, litter control, tidiness and the condition of residential areas, roads, streets and back areas will all be taken into account.

Shannon scored 233 points last year. Quin scored 234, Sixmileb- ridge scored 223 and Newmarket- on-Fergus won 212 points. Efforts have been made in each of these ar- eas and all will be hoping for good results this year.

Meanwhile, judging for the best- kept estates will take place in Shan- non this weekend. The Inis Ealga and Ballycaseymore Residents Associations are both entered. The newly-formed Rossbracken Residents Association is expected to enter the competition next year, having missed out on this year’s deadline.