The Clare People Archive

A TOUCH of midsummer madness is coming to Clonlara on Saturday next, June 23.

That’s the day of the first Clonlara Midsummer Festival and there’s go- ing to be heaps of family fun on of- oe

All the action takes place in or around the Angler’s Rest, Doonass from 3pm, starting with a fancy dress parade.

There will be fun and games and

music throughout the day, including seven-a-side football matches be- tween local pubs and ladies football.

The charity event of the day will be a Duck Race and it’s hoped to sell 800 ducks in aid of Milford Hospice. Ducks are already being sold but there will be some available on the day.

Music will be from the set your toes tapping Brendan Hearty Cajun Band who will swing into action around 9pm.

The day is being organised by the

Clonlara ICA but ICA member, Fio- na McKeon stresses that it’s not just about or for the ICA.

“We wanted to organise something that would be fun for the whole com- munity and we want people to come out and join in. We’ve tried to order some nice weather so hopefully, we ll be able to have a barbeque on the day as well as sack and egg and spoon races and fun competitions TTC) aYan de wenan ero

Buskers have also been invited to come along and entertain people at

the event and there promises to be a great atmosphere.

The organisers are hoping this will be the first of many Clonlara Mid- summer Festivals.

“We’re looking forward to a great day out for all the family and we want everyone to come along and have a good time. There’ll be food, fun and music and the charity duck race should raise some money for the hospice. We’re hoping it will be a great community get-together,” said Fiona.

NEWS that a €30,000 grant has been allocated to help refurbish a GAA building which can then be used by community groups has been warmly welcomed in Killaloe.

Last week, outgoing Environment Munister, Dick Roche announced al- locations of grants under the Social and Community Facilities scheme.

The project to refurbish and im- prove the building on the GAA erounds was granted €30,000 under the scheme.

Other Clare projects which got matching funding were the Shan- non Community Leisure Centre, the respite services for the elderly run by the support group for Raheen Hospi-

tal, Kilfenora Community Hall and the Cooraclare Community Grave- yard.

The money will help provide new windows, plastering, a heating sys- tem and a new kitchen for the build- ing, which will be used by the GAA but which will now also be available for community groups and local meetings.

The club chairman, Naoise Lawlor, said they are “absolutely delighted” with the allocation.

“We had already made a start be- cause we were fund-raising ourselves but this will be a big help. It’s the first time anyone has come forward with this level of financial help.”

The aim of the project is to make the space comfortable for commu-

nity use and this involves putting in a new kitchen, a heating system, plumbing, rewiring, new windows and a total redecoration job.

“There’s a fair bit of work involved. Apart from just doing up the build- ing, you have to provide car parking and public lighting. There’s more involved than you might think. Until now, what we did was to raise some money and get a bit done the wait un- til we had a bit more raised to carry on,” he said.

Naoise said he wants to extend the thanks of all involved in the club to local councillor, Tony O’Brien.

‘He pushed hard for us to get this erant and he’s been very supportive of us. We’re very grateful to him,” the chairman said.

Cllr O’Brien said that he is very pleased that the money has been al- located to the project. “The people involved are putting a huge effort in themselves. And this will be a facility for the whole community Where meetings and activities can take place. We had the application in for the last few months and I’m very pleased it was granted. It’s a project that will make a difference to a lot of voluntary groups in Killaloe,’ he said.

THE Ennis-based company, Mangan Brothers Wholesalers, is once again the top locally owned company in Clare according to a new survey.

Mangan Brothers, measured in terms of business size, 1s one of 24 Clare-based companies listed in Ire- land’s top 1,000 companies.

The company came in at 219 on the list with a turnover of €192 mil- lion to the end of 2005 while Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) was once again the top ranked company with a turnover of €18 billion.

Employing 263 people, Mangan

Brothers enjoys a comparatively low profile and has outlets in Galway, Tullamore, Sligo and Letterkenny. Its headquarters are located at Ashline on Ennis’s Kilrush Road.

It was one of only four locally owned companies in the 24 firms featured in the survey.

The top Clare-based multi-national is Tyco Electronics in Shannon with a €1 billion turnover to the end of September 2005 and 285 Clare em- ployees.

Tyco Electronics is one of 13 com- panies based in the Shannon Free Zone that feature in the survey.

The next largest firm in the Shan-

non Free Zone, Element Six — for- merly De Beers — is ranked 198 on the list.

Element Six had a turnover of €214 million in 2005 – a loss of €7 million – and employed 533 people.

Other companies that appeared in the top five included the US-owned computer parts menufacturer Avo- Cone

Avocent had a turnover of €166 million to the end of 2006 including a profit of €36 million. The company employs 170 people.

Molex Ireland was at number six with a turnover of €122 million to the end of June 2006 and a profit of

around €3 million.

Other top ten companies included Roche Ireland with a turnover of €118 million, Enterasys Network with a turnover of €117 million and GE Commercial Services with a €112 million turnover.

Other companies on the list includ- ed: RSA Security Ireland, Shannon Engine Support, Finsa Forest Prod- ucts, Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd, Whelan Limestone Quarries, Olympus Diagnostica, Clare Marts, EI Electronics, Shannon Aerospace, GE Sensing, Organic Lens, Lynch Hotels, Schwarz Pharma, Microsemi and T Sheils.

PLANS for a €30 million retail park for Shannon have been turned down. Clare County Council ruled that the plan would be premature pending the preparation of a masterplan for the area.

Last year Greenbrand Investments and Sean Halpin lodged plans to de- velop a mixed-use retail park devel- opment consisting of a DIY anchor store, garden centre, three retail warehouses, 10 retail units, eight of- fice units and one department store.

The council refused planning per- mission for the proposal as it would

materially contravene the South-East Clare Economic Plan.

The report also stated that the “over- all layout and design of the proposed development fails to exploit opportu- nity for development of a key-site in a manner which relates satisfactorily to its siting as a prominent location on the approach to Shannon. There- fore, the proposal seriously injures the visual amenities”.

According to developers the project, located at Smithstown with 15,777m2 in gross floor retail space and 1,336m2 in office space, would “promote growth in a sustainable manner by concentrating develop-

ment in an area adjacent to the town oe) Kemet

They also claimed that their pro- posal “would improve the socio-eco- nomic profile of Shannon and will create additional jobs representing a significant boost to the local econo- neha

A decision was due on the applica- tion in June of last year but the devel- opers requested a year long extension for the council to consider it.

The developers deferred a decision on the application after a planner’s report into the project recommended refusing permission on two grounds.

The developers failed to convince

the planners, while the public con- sultation phase for the drawing up of a Shannon area masterplan will start in a few weeks.

The proposal attracted a number of objections. The promoters of the €135 million redevelopment of Shannon also expressed concern.

The Shannon Town Centre Man- agement Company stressed that it was not opposed to appropriate retail development but said that to “dis- perse the focus of department stores and other large floorplates from the defined core area” was inappropriate with redevelopment still in the early SE Toe

ENNIS Town Council has intro- duced a raft of new measures aimed at streamlining the chamber’s deci- sion-making process.

The council undertook a review of the standing orders governing meet- ings of Ennis Town Council follow- ing debate over the effectiveness of current procedures.

Changes were adopted regarding notices of motion, the order of busi- ness, the date of and timing of meet- ings and the suspension of standing orders.

Explaining the reasons for the changes, town manager Jom Cough- lan said greater clarity was needed for the council to operate more ef- fectively. Mr Coughlan was speak- ing at the June meeting of Ennis steam Oretiene

He said, ““We had a situation at one meeting where we took a decision on an issue and then changed it at anoth- er meeting. The discussion should be on the accuracy of the minutes as op- posed to the decision taken”.

Responding to a question put for- ward by Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra, Mr Coughlan said councillors did not have to wait un- til monthly meetings to raise council

seek ne

“You can raise issues at any time and we will try to get you an answer. These changes are useful for the pur- pose of the council actually having achieved something at the meeting.”

The amendments, which drew the most debate, were those concerning notices of motion.

Under the new system “any mem- ber of the council may submit a ques- tion for inclusion in the agenda in the Same manner as a notice of motion maybe submitted under standing or- der number 14.

“Each such question shall be sub- ject to the rules relating to notice of motion as defined under standing order number 19. Questions shall be dealt with by written reply without discussion.

Concern was raised over the revised standing order that bans discussion of responses given to notices of mo- tion. Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra question what councillors could do if they were unhappy with the response.

Mayor of Ennis Joe Reidy (FF) said the changes were needed.

“The order of business was being skipped from one meeting to the oth- er and the important stuff was being left out.”

CLARE Mayor Flan Garvey will meet with Nova Scotia’s tourism minister this week to discuss the possibility of establishing a direct air link between the

west of Ireland and

the Canadian prov-

nNeon

The Shannon-

Halifax link was

first proposed last

August when the

two public’ rep-

resentatives met

at the Milwaukee

Irish Festival in

Wisconsin. It 1s anticipated that this week’s meet-

ing will lead to a submission being made to a transat- lantic carrier regarding the proposed os ats (Len

Commenting on the proposal, Minister Len Goucher, a former em- ployee of Air Canada, said that the establishment of a direct flight from Nova Scotia to the West of Ireland would be of huge benefit to both re- gions.

“I would love to see a direct air link being established between our provincial capital of Halifax and

Shannon. Air Canada currently flies from Halifax to London but it is my intention to push for a similar service directly into Ireland,” he said. Mayor Garvey highlighted the cul- tural links between Nova Scotia and Ireland and _ said that a direct air service would not only serve to ce- ment these links but would provide a platform to boost tourism on _ both sides of the Atlan- non Nova Scotia 1s located on Cana- da’s south-eastern coast and is the country’s second smallest province with a population on just under one million people. Thousands of Irish people emigrated to the region dur- ing the 18th and 19th centuries. An estimated 500-1000 Nova Scotians are fluent Irish speakers. Most of these live in Antigonish County or on Cape Breton Island. Mayor Garvey is scheduled to meet with Minister Goucher in Halifax on Friday.

RESIDENTS in Doolin have warned that additional holiday homes in the village will result in a “dead” settle- ment for much of the year.

Residents in the resort have lodged an objection with Clare County Council to plans by Bespoke Devel- opment to construct four new holiday homes and a 20 bedroom extension to the existing Tir Gan Ean Hotel.

Bespoke Developments have been to the forefront in the building of holiday homes across Doolin.

A submission made on behalf of the company to the council stated a second phase of the Tir Gan Ean hotel was envisaged, however, the developers were not confident that a hotel development of this size would be economically viable.

It goes on: “However, after operat- ing the 12 bed hotel for the past year, a strong demand for more accommo- dation has been identified and this application reflects the operators’ ereater understanding of the require- ments of the market.”

However, the objection lodged claims that “there is no need for more holiday homes or for more long term rental properties in Doolin at present. There are already 65 holli- day homes built or in the process of

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‘Further development is premature in the absence of a public sewage sys- tem… acting on the precautionary principle, the development is prema- ture. We have no objection in princi- ple to the hotel extension when the public sewage system is installed.

Giving a breakdown of develop- ment in Doolin, the objectors state that there are 38 private homes in Doolin, 30 holiday homes and 28 homes with B&B accommodation.

The residents also point out that there are 35 holiday homes located at the Coogyulla Cross area of Doolin with only nine private residences.

The residents state: “Providing more owner occupied houses would result in a “dead” settlement cluster/ village for much of the year and will do nothing but adversely impact on the existing economy because there are a substantial number of locals de- pendent on a short holiday period to sustain their business. This “organic” economy will be sacrificed if devel- opments of this nature are allowed to Ree e

“The sewage treatment plant is out- side the zoned area and the village settlement boundaries and should not be permitted for this reason.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

A TABLE rating the efficiency of shopping centres, which puts Shan- non third from the bottom in the country is seriously flawed, accord- ing to SkyCourt’s manager.

The Crest Shopping Centre pro- ductivity review, published in the na- tional media recently, rates Skycourt third worst of 50 centres rated coun- trywide, coming after the Jetland Shopping Centre in Limerick and the Nutgrove centre in Dublin.

But Pat Kelly, manager of Sky- Court Shannon said that the review ‘is flawed and is based on inaccurate information. Crest has told me that

their survey has estimated the aver- age SkyCourt rent at E60 per sq. ft. In fact, the average rent here is sub- stantially less than that figure and in some cases is almost 60 per cent lower.”

He said that the survey also claimed that footfall Ge numbers of shoppers visiting a centre) is falling through- out the country. The opposite is the case at SkyCourt where footfall has increased by an average of 10/15 per cent per annum over three years.

“It 1s regrettable that Crest didn’t check the basic figures with us before publishing their review. As a result, their assessment of SkyCourt is both inaccurate and unfair,” he said.

THRESHOLD’S new housing ad- vice centre at the Citizens Informa- tion Centre in Ennis was officially launched by Threshold Midwest Co-ordinator Louise Kennedy in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis last week.

The outreach service which will be held on the second Tuesday of every month will provide free and confi- dential information, advice and sup- port for people with housing prob- anak

According to Citizens Informa- tion Centres Manager, Paul Woulfe, the service is seeing an increasing number of housing related queries and welcomes the intervention that this new service can provide.

Speaking at the launch, Louise Kennedy said Threshold was com-

mitted to helping the people of Clare to secure and maintain good quality housing suited to their needs.

“Our longer-term plans include a placement service that will help vul- nerable people who need our help to get private rented accommodation.”

Threshold can intervene before problems become unmanageable by negotiating with the landlord or by helping the tenant to locate alterna- tive accommodation.

“We can also support a tenant to take a dispute with their landlord to the Private Residential Tenancies Board.”

Threshold is a national not-for-prof- it organisation established in 1978. Threshold’s housing advice serv- ices are focused on people who are in greatest need of support, mainly people living at the low-priced end

of the rented market, people living in social housing, and people who are homeless.

“The number of immigrants seek- ing Threshold’s help is also growing eyetslelore-l eas

Threshold provides advice on hous- ing rights, mediates with landlords or local authorities on behalf of tenants with problems and supports tenants who bring disputes to the Private Residential Tenancies Board.

“Last year Threshold helped over 20,000 people through its advice centres in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Diitouee

People with a housing problem can make an appointment or drop in to the centre. They can also have their query answered by phone 061 405400, email limerick @threshold. ie, or by letter.

RYANAIR Chief Executive Michael O’Leary has confirmed to the Mayor of Clare, Flan Garvey (FF), that his airline will investigate the reopening of daily services between Shannon and Belfast.

O’Leary made the commitment during an hour-long meeting with Clare’s first citizen at Dublin Airport on Wednesday last.

Councillor Garvey said he had a “full and frank meeting” with O’Leary during which issues affect- ing the future growth of the airport and surrounding region were dis- CAN ISSsrer6

“IT impressed upon Mr O’Leary the huge demand that existed north and south for the re-establishing of direct services between Shannon and Bel- fast. Up until Aer Lingus’s decision to drop the route in 2001, the serv- ice was being used by up to 22,000 passengers a year. Aligned with the strong links between County Clare and Northern Ireland, as well as the changing attitudes to air travel, there certainly is potential for the reopen- ing of this route’, the mayor said.

‘“O’Leary confirmed to me that he would immediately request a viabil- ity study into the possible reopening of the air link.”

Aer Lingus dropped the Belfast/ Shannon leg of its New York service

from Belfast International Airport just three weeks after the terrorist attacks on New York in September 2001. At the time the airline said the move was made as part of its re- sponse to the dramatic fall-off in de- mand being experienced in the wake of the 911 attacks.

Mayor Garvey said he gave O’Leary a commitment, on behalf of Clare County Council that any new service to and from Shannon International Airport would be promoted by the local authority.

“Mr O’Leary who spoke very

honestly about Ryanair’s position at Shannon expressed to me his fears that some existing Ryanair services will require greater support from the people of the entire west of Ireland if they are to remain viable.”

Meanwhile the Ryanair boss ac- cepted Mayor Garvey’s invitation to be a keynote speaker at the annual Clare Tourism Council Conference in Ennistymon, County Clare this November.