The Clare People Archive

CLARE County Council has turned down a planning application for a € 50 million windfarm at Shanovogh near Miltown Malbay. This represents the second time in a year that the promoters of the windfarm project have had an application turned down by local authority planners.

In handing down its judgment, the planning authority said the “noise generated” by the wind turbines and development itself would “seriously injure the amenities of residential property” and “depreciate the value of property”.

Planners also ruled that the development would “pose an unacceptable risk to water quality standards”, while also noting that it was “not satisfied that the proposed development will not negatively impact on species and habitats in the area” and finally concluding that the project was “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

In May, McMahon Finn Wind Acquisitions Ltd lodged an application to build a windfarm on a site that’s two miles away from the West Clare Renewable Energy project on Mount Callan, the green light for which was given by Clare County Council last August.

The application was for a windfarm comprising of six turbines with a height of 85 metres and was submitted to local authority planners by Cian Ó Laoithe Architects.

Last year, Clare County Council invalidated plans submitted by McMahon Wind Ltd for a 12-turbine windfarm on the same site, while a decision date on the new planning application is due in mid-July.

The second application for a windfarm development in the county falls within the guidelines of the Clare County Council wind energy strategy that has set a working target of 550 MW of wind energy to harnessed in the county by 2020.

Between 2000 and 2010, 22 applications for windfarms were lodged with Clare County Council, with one of the first projects to be given the green light being in 2002 when the ESB were granted permission for a nine-turbine € 20 million renewable energy farm at Moneypoint.

Last December, An Bord Pleanála rejected an appeal by An Taisce against a Clare County Council decision to allow Hibernian Windpower to construct a windfarm incorporating 11 turbines of approximately 2500kW capacity each, at Boolynageragh, Lissycasey.

The development site, which is three kilometres north of Lissycasey, will have total rated electrical output of 27.5MW.

The Mount Callan project is set to be the largest community-owned windfarm development in Ireland and is a € 200 million project that aims to create 300 jobs during the construction phase.

TALKS between management and staff at the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre broke down yesterday at the Labour Relation Commission (LRC) with both parties now being sent to the Labour Courts to resolve the ongoing dispute.

The dispute, which led to nine days of strike action by SIPTU members at the world-famous visitors centre, is centred around worker payment and status.

The SIPTU members claimed that they should have the same terms and conditions as employees of Clare County Council, while management at the facility argue that the centre is a private company owned by Clare County Council, and that the workers are not entitled to equal status with council workers.

Industrial action was suspended at the Cliffs of Moher on Friday last when both parties agree to attend a meeting of the LRC. The standing down of industrial action came as SIPTU had threatened to escalate the strike action, serving notice of plans to begin a second picket at the offices of Clare County Council.

This dispute follows a ruling of the Labour Court in 2010 which instructed Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd to give the centre’s employees the same terms and conditions as council employees.

Clare County Council have argued that the centre will not be in a position to continue operating with the same level of staff should they be forced to improve staff pay and condition. The Clare People contacted both the management of the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd and local SIPTU representatives in relation to this but neither party was in a position to comment on the situation at this stage.

THE extent of the collapse in property prices around the county has been hammered home this week, after industry sources have claimed that a three-storey house in Kilrush has been for sold for as low as € 20,000. The Clare People has been told that a house on Moore Street in the west Clare capital was sold for this knockdown price as the drop in property prices reaches new lows in the county on the back of the economic recession.

When contacted by The Clare People on Monday, the selling agents for one house on Moore Street said that it hasn’t been sold for € 20,000, but that there was an asking price of € 60,000 on the property.

However, other industry sources have confirmed that a sale price of just € 20,000 has been agreed for one house on the street, which boasted five bedrooms, a garden and rear access.

Such a price would represent a 20year low for a house price in Kilrush and puts the town well ahead of the national average when it comes to the depreciation of property values.

Only last February, it was revealed that house prices in the county had dropped by up to 40 per cent in the past five years, figures that now put the decline of the county’s housing market ahead of the national average as calculated by the Economic and Social Research Institute.

The ERSI house prices index revealed that prices had fallen nationally by 38 per cent since 2006, while outside Dublin the drop was 8.1 per cent for 2010.

Figures secured by The Clare People showed that the rates of depreciation were higher again in Clare, with many houses across the county having dropped back as far as 2001 prices.

THE success of the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) was again evident when another Ennis batch of mature students and graduates from the county capital’s Adult and Community Education Centre received certificates.

While adult education plays a key role in learners’ self-development, it also has another strong tradition, pointed out speakers from County Clare Vocational Education Committee at the celebratory event in Cois na hAbhna. The presentations were made by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), standing in for the committee chair- man, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).

Through the VTOS learning process students are enabled to create their own knowledge which in turn brings about change not just in the lives of the learners but also the communities in which they live and the wider society, it was pointed out.

The chief executive officer of the committee, George O’Callaghan, said that once students became critically aware of certain aspects of the education system they could take action to bring about change. It was no coincidence, therefore, that many former and current students of VTOS throughout the county were engaged in such activities as after-school homework clubs, voluntary tutoring in literacy and numeracy and in community groups. The Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland (FETAC), which certifies VTOS courses, is now an integrated part of the qualifications framework recognised in most other countries. One of the things it facilitates is starting at any point of the programme to obtain other certificates.

The most recent course participants in Ennis, in all 71 of them, were complimented by the programme co-ordinator, Helen O’Sullivan, on managing time away from their other responsibilities to devote to further study and learning. She praised them for their dedication and hard work under a brilliant set of teachers who in turn were greatly assisted by the administrative staff of the vocational education committee and the support staff in the centre.

“Those who are receiving certificates today can face the future with greater confidence,” she added. “Many of you returned to formal education after a long break, often spanning decades, and through hard work and perseverance you have achieved success. Many of you have continued with your studies, more have gone on to employment while others are still searching.

“Participation in the VTOS pro- gramme means embracing much more than vocational training. Students of this programme have commented that it is not just about certification; it is about the lifelong friendships that are made and fostered; it is also about the confidencebuilding and bringing out of skills and talent that have lain dormant for years or never tapped into before. In truth, for many it is a programme of discovery.

“We are pleased to acknowledge the achievements of all who are involved in today’s ceremony and wish all our students and graduates continued success on their path of lifelong learning,” she concluded.

A CLARE company has secured two extremely lucrative new outlets for its products, one being Berlin’s answer to Harrods and the other the flagship store and mail-order lists of a top US speciality foodstore, worldwide.

The Burren Smokehouse secured a listing and got their first order this week for a selection of 11 different products with KaDeWe, one of mainland Europe’s largest department store.

The Clare company is now supplying the only Irish food products in the store.

Meanwhile, the final touches are being put to having the company’s products on sale through the mailing list and in the main New York store of a major US speciality food supplier.

“We’re delighted with both of the listings, I can’t say yet who the US supplier is yet, but there are 35,000 customers a week through their store alone and that’s not even taking account of the mail order opportunity. We are hoping to get our first order from them in September,” said Smokehouse founder, Birgitta Hedin-Curtin.

Bord Bia offices in Germany and in Dublin and the Bord Bia / Smurfit Business School Fellowship students in Germany were all involved in getting the Clare fish products on the shelves in Berlin.

“KaDeWe is a historical department store and is in existance for over 100 years. It first opened 1907. Each day up to 180,000 customers from around the world are welcomed in by the 2,000 KaDeWe staff.

Now our products will feature in its world-famous gourmet department on the sixth floor. This is Berlin’s premium department store,” said Birgitta.

Burren Smokehouse attended and exhibited at the the US listing company after they exhibited at the Fancy Food Fair in Washington DC last week. The event showcased 180,000 speciality products, with 2,400 exhibitors, with more than 80 countries represented.

“The wide and varied ethnic diversity of the US means that food culture and taste trends are very dynamic in this, the largest grocery market in the world,” said Birgitta.

Helping the smokhouse products get through the door of the US deli was the Bord Bia New York office headed by Karen Coyle.

The Burren Smokehouse exhibited with their importer and distributor, Food Ireland Inc owned by Irishman Pat Coleman.

“Pat has Clare family connections so it was great to have him with us,” said Birgitta.

It is too early, Birgitta said, to assess what will come of the company’s exposure in the new market, but, she added, the Burren company will be making the most of the opportunity.

CLARE small businesses and sole traders are jumping at a chance to get their services and products on the web for next to nothing.

A course in getting a business website up and running, which the Clare County Enterprise Board intended to run for one session, has exploded in popularity with the board having had to put on eight courses and counting.

The course, sponsored by Google, web hosts Black Knight and the Enterprise Boards gets a business or any self-employed person online with their own website in just three hours of intensive work. And it costs just € 25, a fraction of the amount that a struggling business would normally have to shell out.

The scheme was set up in the wake of a study which showed that only about half of small Irish businesses have their own websites. And the chance to have a presence online is proving far more popular in Clare than in other counties involved in the nationwde scheme, according to CCEB business advisor, Lucy Reidy.

“It has really taken off. We thought we might have had interest from seven or eight small businesses or individuals but instead we’ve had 80 sign up so far and requests for places on the course are still coming in, and that’s without even adverstising it,” Lucy told The Clare People .

“From our contact with other Enterprise Boards who are running the scheme, the takeup elsewhere isn’t anything like we’ve seen in Clare.”

The course involves three hours of intensive tuition and work with train- ers. The instructors contact course particpants in advance to have them gather up pictures, prepare descriptions of the business and any other relevant information which might be needed for the site.

“After the three-hour course, people go home with their website up and running and enough tuition to make changes to it themselves. The course is open to all professionals, whether they are in retail engineering, solicitors, catering, all fields. The only restriction is that to have a ‘.ie’ site you have to be a registered company, but people don’t have to be registered to have a ‘.eu’ or ‘.com’ site,” Lucy explained.

She added that the CCEB will continue to provide the courses for “as long as people want to do them and all partcipants have to pay is the € 25 to cover things like hiring costs.”

The next course is being run on August 31 and there are still some places available.

Anyone interested can apply online through the Enterprise Board’s website or ring for information on 065 6841922.

THERE has been a positive response to a new countywide volunteer discount card with 160 Clare businesses so far signing up to support the scheme.

The Clare Volunteer Centre launched their volunteer discount card in January 2011 with the support of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Clare County Council, Ennis Town Council and the Clare Local Development Company.

The card has been created to allow volunteers access to a range of discounts and special offers from businesses around the county for 2011, The European Year of the Volunteer. 160 businesses around Clare are taking part in the scheme with 2,000 cards being issued so far.

Businesses who are involved are listed on the booklet accompanying the card and also on the website.

The Clare Volunteer Centre launched the scheme in partnership with Clare businesses in order to recognize the work of the county’s voluntary sector.

Last year, 256 people registered with the centre, an increase of 25 per cent from 2009, bringing the total number of volunteers registered at the centre to 496.

Sharon Meaney, CVC Development Co-ordinator, explained. “Acknowledging volunteers is just one method among many for businesses to become involved in their communities. Community involvement benefits not only the local community but can boost business itself.”

She continued, “The discount amount is at the discretion of the business with most giving 10 per cent. Kilrush, in particular, have seen an immense positive reaction to the card. It is seen to be building a great relationship between the community and businesses.”

Ms Meaney said, “Volunteers, now more than ever, are the backbone of many communities throughout the county. It is an ideal time, being European Year of the Volunteer, for your business to join with the community and say thank you to the volunteers who work tirelessly, giving their time, skills, experience and energy freely.”

The Clare Volunteer Centre is part of the national network of volunteer centres, supported by Volunteer Centres Ireland.

The Clare Volunteer Centre opened its doors in Ennis in 2008. Businesses interested in taking part in the scheme can contact Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

TWO young people had a lucky escape on Sunday evening when both ended up in the water in Killaloe.

The Killaloe Coast Guard and the Shannon-based coast guard helicopter were put on high alert after a report that a man in his early twenties was in difficulty in the water south of Killaloe Bridge on Sunday. The young adult was fully clothed and his girlfriend was also in the water, having gone in to try to help him.

When Killaloe Coast Guard arrived at Ballina slip, the two young adults had made their way to safety. The two were taken home and the Killaloe Coast Guard rescue boat ‘Dalton’ returned to base. The Shannon-based coast guard helicopter was also stood down.

The coast guard has had a run of busy weekends as the holiday season gets in full swing and with the August bank holiday promised to be hot, they are expecting large crowds to come to enjoy the lakeside sports and amenities.

A spokesman for the coast guard reminded people planning a weekend of water sports to be responsible and take precautions.

“If you’re taking a boat out, always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back and make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket.”

LIFTING A car off the ground is little more than a dream for most people, but a Sixmilebridge man does it at ease.

37-year-old Tom Cusack is reflecting on his recent powerlifting world title, at his home at Ballylidane, Sixmilebridge, and demonstrates the skills that have propelled him to the top of the world.

Tom, who weighs in at 12 stone and four pounds – which is relatively modest for a powerlifter – lifts up a Volkswagen Golf which is parked in his driveway, before dropping it, all at relative ease. He puts it all down to a combination of his healthy lifestyle and tremendous willpower.

“I like to keep myself fit. You have to be fit and lean in powerlifting,” he says.

“I have great willpower. I never give in. I feel tired sometimes but I don’t give in. You get nothing from being lazy and not getting up off the couch,” he adds.

“When I make up my mind about something, that’s it,” he says.

His recent success did not come about overnight; rather it was through several years of dedication.

“I was always into weights. When I was 11 or 12 years of age, I was fierce strong. At 14 years of age, I was 13 stone. When I was about 17, I saw Gerry O’Connell from Crusheen, who is retired from powerlifting, in the paper. I got his number and got in contact with him,” he says.

“I didn’t play much sport when I was younger. All I liked was weights. I liked the Incredible Hulk. I was always interested in being strong and healthy. Arnold Schwarzenegger was always an inspiration to me,” he says.

“At 10 or 11, I started training by swinging a crowbar. I did it for a half hour in the morning before school and for another half hour in the evening. At the age of 14, I got my first 50 kilo dumbbell set. I was fierce strong. I was doing the weights on my own. I loved building up the strength and doing muscle exercises,” he says.

Over the years, he progressed from enjoying it as a hobby to taking part in competitive events, winning a hand ful of All-Irelands in recent years and a European title last year. The World Drug Free Powerlifting Association was set up about 10 years ago and Tom started taking part in some of their competitions, which culminated in him winning the title in the 82.5 kilo dead weight lift in Chicago last month.

Dedication is at the centre of his efforts and last year Tom set up his own gym on the grounds of his home at Ballylidane, Sixmilebridge, where he trains several times a week. His motivation is immense and he trains by himself.

He also credits his mum Ita with much of his success. “She is a very strong woman. She was my training partner for 10 years,” he says. While weightlifting forms a central part of his training – lifting up to 40 stone in weight on a regular basis – he also runs, clocking up around 13 miles every week.

“I am ambitious in everything that I do. Hopefully I will be world cham- pion when I am 90 years of age. A 65-year-old American came second to me in Chicago. There are lots of people in their 70s and 80s competing and breaking world records,” he says.

But it has not all been plain sailing for Tom. Five years ago he got ME and this set him back in his powerlifting ambitions.

“I got ME at 32. I lost my health. I put on two or three stone weight. I was burnt out. I couldn’t exercise. I used to work about 80 hours a week in my nursery (Hill View Nursery) for five to 10 years. That’s how I burnt myself out. Thankfully I got my health back a year ago and I came back better. Now I just work 40 hours a week and I relax,” he says.

Now that he is back to full fitness and with one world title under his belt, Tom is very much geared towards the future and has his eye on securing another world title in France next year.

“Hopefully I will defend my title next year,” he says.

Long-term plans are also on his mind and he has his sights set on taking part in strongman events next year, which he compares to “lifting a car”.

“I am going to compete for Ireland’s strongest man. I’m going to demonstrate you don’t have to be a 350 pound man to win it. I’ll demonstrate that a 170 pound man can do it. I can lift cars and carry 40 stone the length of a sports field on my back. I can lift a 200 pound steel log over my head. It’s all strong man events I will be doing after France,” he says.

“What motives me is I am going to demonstrate to the people of Clare how strong I am. I will never work 80 hours a week again. I am now more relaxed about life,” he says.

He believes that further successes will be achieved as long as he mingles his dedication and determination with his healthy lifestyle.

“The key to success is being natural, fit and healthy and having a high protein diet. Every day I eat a tonne of pasta and fish. That’s where I get my strength from. I don’t believe in supplements. I eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day. I drink six pints of water a day. I don’t drink or smoke. It stands to you in old age,” he says.

“If you life a healthy life you can break records at the age of 80. That’s what I will be doing hopefully,” he says.

ONE Clare business will have to shelve plans for expansion and others will struggle to make up their losses in the wake of the liquidation of the Superquinn chain.

The stores – including the Limerick branch – were put into liquidation and immediately bought again by Musgraves, but it is unlikely that suppliers owed money will ever see their cash.

Inagh cheese producers St Tola had planned to buy packaging machinery which would allow them to expand the sales of a new product, but the money has been eaten up by the collapse of the supermarket chain.

Siobhan Garvey, who founded the Inagh cheese company, said that while the amount of money which her company is owed by the supermarket may not seem like a lot, it will have a severe impact on St Tola’s plans.

“We had been supplying Superquinn for years and we re-launched with them in the last two months. What we are owed is thousands rather than hundreds of thousands and while it would seem like a small amount to a bigger company, it’s a bad blow for a small operation like ours, especially as this is the second time we’ve taken a hit this year,” she told The Clare People .

Siobhan explained that another outlet went out of business owing them money earlier in the year and this latest blow will severely hamper the company’s plans to expand with a new product.

“Everyone here is working hard and we should be exapnding and taking on more people, but this just knocks us right back. We have a new product, St Tola Cream Divine, which we were packaging by hand until we saw how it would sell. It’s selling well and we had planned to buy machinery to package it so we could increase supply, but that plan has gone out the window now. There are talks going on with Musgraves, but the reality is that it’s very unlikely that small suppliers like us will get their money back.”

Another Clare producer which has been hit is the popular Burren Smokehouse, who supplied their brand to the Limerick and other stores.

Birgitta Heden-Curtin said her company is also owed money and she sees little prospect of getting it back.

“We supplied Superquinn because as a supermarket, it was the right end of the range and we felt that it was the kind of place our products could feature. Our supplies to them were realtively small but no company, particularly a small concern, can afford to lose out like this,” she said.