The Clare People Archive

AFTER just one year’s work, Ire- land’s first ever e-town has now opened in Miltown Malbay.

Those curious to see what the new homes – that promise work-life bal- ance – look like can go along and see for themselves this weekend.

The €4 million e-town project is the first of its kind in Ireland and construction work on the 12 com- bined home/work units in the scheme have just been completed.

The e-towns initiative will allow people to work from home and has been designed by Shannon Develop- ment as an innovative way of helping people find a better quality of life.

This unique integrated develop- ment combines living and office space with high-tech broadband ac- cess.

E-towns are not just for those wish- ing to find work and a lifestyle out- side the urban rat race. It also gives an opportunity to the students of Miltown Malbay to return home and set up a business when they have re- ceived their qualifications.

The e-town is expected to attract micro-businesses to the area and cluster them so that they in turn could grow from each other and pro- vide further employment.

“With many commuters facing reduced quality of life due to the ever lengthening commute times to work, Shannon Development saw the need to generate a new 2\st-century solution to this growing problem. In launching our first pilot e-town in Miltown Malbay, we feel it is an ideal location in which to live, work and raise a family. It has everything you could possibly want on your

doorstep, including stunning scen- ery, top local amenities and a superb quality of life,” says Paul Ryan, E- Town Project Leader with Shannon Development.

As part of the Cuirt na dTonnta Miltown Malbay e-towns project, people who want to work from home have the option of work units either attached or adjacent to each house on the two-acre, high-tech courtyard site. Developed as either detached, three story and/or town houses, the units are wired for broadband with office space. They are designed to aesthetically complement the exist- ing townscapes, the house sizes aver- age 2,000 sq. ft., with business units ranging from 750 to 1,000 sq. ft.

“The development is designed for people who currently have long com- mutes to work each day and wish to set up a business and could easily

work from home. It would ideally suit micro-businesses in the traded Services sector, or businesses such as graphic design, consultancy, web design, publishing and professional oss ohe

“It is also ideal for people who have already set up a business from home but find their current home is no longer suitable for their growing business needs,” said Mr. Ryan.

To introduce the scheme to the peo- ple of County Clare, Shannon Devel- opment has issued a special invitation to come and view an e-town house at Miltown Malbay at weekends from 2pm to 4pm or by appointment. Just contact Bernie Lynch at 061 710349 and email: lynchb@shannondev.ie.

EIRCOM has finally rolled out broadband to Ireland’s first e-town. As part of its nationwide broad- band rollout programme, Eircom announced it has broadband-enabled the exchange at Miltown Malbay. Commenting on the launch of broadband in Miultown Malbay, Michael Kennedy, Marketing Direc-

tor, Eircom said, “Eircom is delight- ed to announce the roll out of broad- band to Miltown Malbay in County Clare. Eircom is 100 per cent com- mitted to making broadband avail- able to as many parts of the country as we can.

“The enablement of this exchange and the planned enablement of an ad- ditional 20 exchanges across County Clare demonstrates we are deliver-

ing on our commitments.”

A statement from Eircom said that the Miltown Malbay announcement was part of Eircom’s public commit- ment to broadband-enable over 400 exchanges across Ireland, including a further 20 exchanges in the Clare area.

“Our determined efforts to increase broadband availability nationwide means that more than 900 exchang-

es, representing 96 per cent of the working telephone lines in Ireland, will be connected to a broadband ex- change within the next two years.”

Eircom said that it would pro- vide numerous services through its broadband to meet everyone’s needs, including a music portal, live sports and games online, Internet security, file storage and sharing, and wireless connectivity.

THE old telephone exchange sits at the back of the Cooraclare post office, just metres from the new high-tech computer. For retired postmistress Moria Garry, both objects represent the huge change her career has taken during the past 41 years.

On March 31, Moira stood down as the local postmistress, but she will

never be too far away from the core of the small but busy post office, as she continues to assist the new post- mistress Gerardine Donnellan.

Moira took over the reins of the post office from her aunt’s husband – Martin Joe O’Doherty – in October Teter

A year later, she married Michael Garry and the post office was to play a central role in their lives and that of

their family for years to come.

Moira Garry has quite literally seen and heard it all as the centre for in- formation, services and advice for the rural west Clare village and sur- rounding area.

Up until the late 80s, the exchange was central to the services provided by this busy post office.

Moira remembers how her late hus- band Michael would get up in the

middle of the night to answer the ex- change. “We had a bell for it outside our bedroom door,” she recalled.

The exchange was a 24-hour day job, with Moira providing the only connection for many an ex-Pat and the family back home.

She always had the emergency numbers at hand – the doctor, the priest – and hers was one of the few exchanges in the country that had a minister on the local exchange – ““Co- oraclare 40”.

Just as the post office played a cen- tral part of Garry family life, so too did Moira Garry play a central role in the lives of other families.

Little Jessica O’Gorman was the fifth generation of the Gallagher- O’Gorman family to get a stamp from the former postmistress. “I put the stamp into her little hand. I have a picture with her,” said Moira.

Moira laughs as she recalls how she still continues to provide the local in- formation at the end of a phone line.

Since evening Mass has been shared on a monthly basis between Coora- clare and Cree churches, she often answers the phone to the question, “Is Mass above or below tonight?”

As well as the usual post office du- ties, Moria also dispenses 135 cop- les of

A €10 MILLION retail development will need the support of three quar- ters of Clare County Council mem- bers in order to proceed.

Tom Lavelle and Adrian Callanan’s plan to construct 56 units at Boherar- oan, Newmarket-on-Fergus materi- ally contravenes the County Devel- eo) eee lm ate

The plan includes 16 commer- cial units, 22 duplex apartments, 11 apartments, a medical facility and six office units, and the council noted that the site is zoned for commercial non-retail purposes.

They state: “While the principle of a mixed use commercial and resi- dential development is acceptable on site, it is also considered that it is contrary to the zonings of the site. Consequently, a material contraven- tion would be required.”

As a result, the planning applica- tion will need to go before a council meeting in the coming months. The developers have been requested to lodge a revised design for the scheme ‘as any development should have re- gard to the character of the existing village”.

The proposed development is locat- ed about 200 metres east of Lough Gash turlough candidate Special Area of Conservation (CSAC).

The council states: “The proposed development has the potential to have significant effects on the SAC and its conservation objectives.”

The retail plan also faces opposi- tion from local resident, Patrick J Hannon, who owns land to the rear of the development.

Mr Hannon pointed out to the coun- cil, “No details are submitted with the application to the retail impact the proposal will have on the village

of Newmarket-on-Fergus. I contend that there is a substantial need for the retail development proposed and the applicant has failed to show this.

“As elsewhere, out of centre retail developments should not be allowed as this development is likely to lead to a reduction in the range of local facilities in the town that will affect the diversity of shops and lead to a loss of general retailing from the vil- lage centre.

“It would appear as an aggressive and incongruous feature in the area, contrary to the requirements of the development plan.”

He added, “The proposed develop- ment has an unduly monolithic form, arising from the absence of any re- lief from fenestration thus producing an unattractive facade to all public views.”

A decision is due on the application next month.

IN a close contest, last year’s event winners, Patrick Ellott/Paul Good- man (Subaru WRC) edged out Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) on a tie-break to win the Fels Point Hotel Circuit of Kerry Rally, the second round of the Dunlop se- ries. On the final stage, they finished

two seconds ahead of Maguire/ McLaughlin, that gave both crews an identical overall time and El- liott/Goodman got the verdict on a tie-break – as they were fastest on the final stage. It was the second event in succession that a round of the Dunlop National Rally championship went to a final stage decider.

Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty

(Subaru) finished third overall — 29 seconds further behind, that was also decided on a tie-break with Michael Barrable/Dermot O’Gorman (Ford Focus WRC) finishing fourth. As a result of his victory, Elliott moves to top spot in the Dunlop series. The Group N category was won by Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Mitsubishi), they were tenth in general classifica-

tion.

Top Clare crew Anthony O’ Halloran /Charlie McEnery punctured on stage four after clipping a rock on the inside of a corner and had to stop to change the wheel. They lost about six minutes which pushed them well down the leaderboard but they even- tually went on to finish 35th. overall.

The top Clare Crew were Alan

O’Callaghan/Gerard Murphy from Ssixmilebridge who battled through the very wet and slippy conditions in their Subaru Impreza to finish 20th overall.

NUMBERS unemployed in Clare have reached an 11 year high accord- ing to the latest figures from the Cen- tral Statistics Office (CSO). The live register now totals 5,126 — the high- est number since March 1997 when 5,253 were unemployed.

The figures show that the unem- ployment rate has increased by al- most 20% in the past 12 months, the lowest level having been in October 2000 when only 2,778 were on the live register.

The slowdown in the Clare con- struction sector in recent months is believed to be responsible for a large

slice of the increase.

It’s not all bad economic news for Clare, however. Ennis has proved to be one of just two towns in Ireland that are bucking the national trend of a shopping slowdown.

According to a _ just-published Retail Excellence Ireland review, O’Connell Street saw an increase of 39% in terms of hourly footfall be- tween March 2006 and March 2007. The number of people shopping in the street was up from 1,917 per hour to 2,658 per hour.

Responding to the unemployment figures, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) called for the fundamentals of bal- anced regional development to be

implemented to ensure Clare is well- positioned should the economy re- bound later this year.

“There is little doubt that the in- ternational banking and credit crisis has impacted on the Irish economy, fuelled by a downturn in the housing market, and I believe that sustained investment in the mid-west is vital for the region,’ he said.

On recent job losses in Clare, Dep- uty Carey commented: “We have seen these at companies such as Aer Lingus, Tyco Electronics, John Crane Ltd and Thompson Financial. We have also seen companies going on three-day weeks, unsure of what their future 1s.

“We have not seen this rate of in- crease for a very long time and there is nothing to indicate that either the rate or overall number will abate in the near future.

“So, as far as the region’s econom- icS are concerned, we need to start boxing clever”

Sinn Féin spokesperson Cathy McCafferty reacted to the CSO fig- ures, “The blame for this increase lies squarely with Government. De- spite unprecedented tax returns over a number of years the Goverment failed to plan ahead, deciding in- stead to rely on construction and the spending boom to keep the economy on track.”

THE Government’s commitment to the mid-west has been called into question after legislation was de- ferred for the development of a new €20 million Customs and Borders facility at Shannon in time for the busy Summer season.

In order for the facility to proceed, the Government needs to have put legislation in place and concluded talks with US authorities. However, the necessary legislation was not on the schedule of bills to be enacted before the summer recess which was published by the Government last week.

Last year, the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) secured planning permission for the proposal and is ready to construct the facility once legislation is passed. In response to questions from Deputies Joe Carey and Pat Breen, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said that negotiations took place with the US authorities on January 29 and further discussions are envisaged.

“I look forward to making good progress with the US authorities in the period ahead,” he said. “Given HD OT-LaM A OCoam OOTeTARe) MB KCMIO DOOMED OLOLs) um t(ox%O]8T- tion it is too early to say when I will be in a position to publish any neces- sary legislation.”

This failure to have the legislation in place to coincide with the ending of the ‘Shannon stop-over’ follows the months-long delay in publishing the economic and tourism plan for Shan- non. Earlier drafts contained a com- mitment to provide €20 million over five years. However, this was deleted from the plan published in January and the region is to receive only €3 million for a marketing campaign for the US and UK this year.

Deputy Joe Carey commented yes- terday, “Despite promises, this Gov- ernment has not delivered for Shan- non and the mid-west. I understand negotiations with the US authorities are still ongoing but it was intended

that these negotiations would be completed before open-skies came into effect. This hasn’t happened.

“I also note that the Minister for Justice did not discuss the extension of the customs and borders facility at Shannon when he visited the US re- cently. I find that very disappointing.

“IT am calling for the new Fianna Fail leader to take an active interest in the issues facing this region. I ask that the negotiations with the US be committed to wholeheartedly, and that a comprehensive, adequately funded marketing and promotion fund is put in place immediately to advance the positives of this region to the international market,’ he added.

in Clare when he dropped his bombshell in Dail Eireann by mak- ing a complete u-turn on Ms Ge-

oghegan Quinn’s decision and sacri- ficing the special status Shannon had enjoyed since it became a world hub for transatlantic air traffic in the late ees

A radical restructuring blueprint put forward for the national carrier, Aer Lingus, by its then executive chairman, Bernie Cahill, proposing the abolition of the stopover was put forward by Cowen in the Dail and endorsed by 80 votes to 52.

However, the decision had short- term consequences for the Fianna Fail organisation in Clare, with Dep- uties Sile de Valera and Tony Killeen resigning the party whip in protest.

This lead from Clare’s two Fianna Fail TDs was followed by similar resignations by the 17-strong Fianna Fail complement on Clare County Council. It meant that for a period of six months before the councillors’ return to the fold, Fianna Fail was no longer the majority party on the local authority for the first time in over 60 erase

how he believed “most definitely” that Ahern was not corrupt, but made the fatal mistake of not taking things too seriously.

“I was never in the Government dealing with him when he was Taoi- seach. From what I could gather, he had a very decisive and efficient way of doing business. Apparently he adopted a lot of the high-powered strategy that was adopted by previ- ous taoisigh, such as CJ Haughey, be- cause he made decisions and where there were problems he appointed sub-committees to deal with it,’ said DEA

“IT had a very detailed discussion with him when I was in social wel- fare, because I was part of the social partnership as well back in 1991 and just before the 1992 General Elec- tion. If you remember, there was an all-out strike threatened at that time.

‘He was very involved in trying to find a resolution that made sure that the whole country wouldn’t close down.”

The Cooraclare man believes that uniting the Fianna Fail party and tackling the Northern Ireland issue will be remembered as his greatest achievements.

“I would say bringing together Fi- anna Fail and bringing Fianna Fail along with his views on Northern Ireland, because it was very much d1- vided at the time he took over, that is

what he will be remembered for.”

Daly said that when Ahern took over as leader, there were a lot of di- vision, most of which was a throw- back to the arms trial.

“There was a lot of tension and friction in Fianna Fail. I would say the most important thing from the country’s point of view was that he was able to bring along the Fianna Fail party with him on the negotia- tions on Northern Ireland, because

at one stage there wasn’t a chance you could go down the road he was going. There were a lot of people writing to the British asking them to declare their interest in getting out of Ireland, that kind of stuff.

“IT remember he shot down a cou- ple of lads there at a meeting in En- nis one night when they were saying Ireland, the 32-county republic and all this, and he said do you want this killing to go on for another 30 years.

‘He had the charismatic approach in the Fianna Fail party, healing any divisions and bringing people who weren’t maybe supporters of his in1- tially on side. The most important thing was he brought a party that was very nervous about how it would set- tle Northern Ireland along to his way of thinking. If he hadn’t done that, he wouldn’t be able to get the results.”

And the Fianna Fail leader’s big- gest weakness?

“T think he would have underesti- mated and been a bit carefree with things that were serious. I think he was a bit carefree with the tribunal at the start, and he didn’t give it the at- tention and the time that it deserved. I think he thought it just might not work out the way it is working out.

“My own view was that the tribu- nal approach was a very, very big mistake, because first of all after the beef tribunal, to the best of my knowledge, there was a decision made that there would be no tribunal Set up ever again.

“There were some recommenda- tions made in the beef tribunal that were implemented that would prob- ably have been done anyway, but there was a lot of time and effort and expense involved in the beef tribunal and my understanding is that after the beef tribunal report there would never again be one set up and then they went down the road of setting up tribunals all over the place.

“T always felt that the courts and the police and the fraud squad and CAB were the people to investigate these kind of things, not tribunals, and I was very much opposed to the Dail going down that road of setting up in- vestigations within the house itself. I refused to chair one of those. I didn’t think it was a politician’s job to get involved in what was more a legal matter and maybe more of a job for id elomr-elmeeyw LB (oe

“If he (Ahern) went down through his books and his accounts and his finances in detail he would not have got into the situation he got into, in my opinion.”

FIANNA FAIL Minister for State, Tony Killeen was remaining tight- lipped on how he saw his future un- der the new Taoiseach.

The Corofin man who has served as junior minister in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natu-

ral Resources and the department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the past 10 months said he was happy to fill whatever role the new Taoiseach desired.

He said while there was a lot of speculation as to what moves would be made in cabinet and in the gov- ernment under Brian Cowan, he did

not get involved in such speculation.

He said Minister Cowan is famil- iar with the issues in Clare through his previous portfolios in health and transport and has an overview of 1s- sues as Minister for Finance.

Former Clare TD Brendan Daly, who was quite close with the Offaly man while in Dail Eireann, said he

believed that Cowan would make an impressive Taoiseach.

“T think Cowan will be less charis- matic than Bertie Ahern. He will give straight answers to straight questions and will take things very seriously and won’t underestimate the implica- tions of some of the things that might be taking place.

“Bertie tended to gloss over things that on the surface might not have been looked at but deep down were very serious,’ he said.

“He (Cowan) will be firm, he will be decisive, he will say if something can be done or can’t be done, and he wont second-guess anything,” he Sr HLOe