The Clare People Archive

PLANS to develop seven acres of land in the heart of Feakle for hous- ing have raised concerns among councillors representing the area.

At a meeting of the Scariff area committee of the council, Cllr Pat Hayes said he is concerned about the eden

“The last place we expected the council to buy land was in Feakle. A development of this size could totally change the character of the village. There are less than 100 houses in the whole of Feakle and this is a propos- al to develop a site as large as Feakle

itself is.”

In reply to Cllr Hayes queries on plans for the site, a council housing official said in a written reply that the land has been bought “‘to supplement the existing land bank owned by the council and is earmarked to meet the erowing housing need in the Scariff electoral area.”

The reply stated that while there are no plans as yet for the develop- ment of the site, the first phase of the development will cater for affordable housing and voluntary housing for the elderly. The reply also assured councillors that there would be con- sultation with the community.

Councillor Joe Cooney said that having waited so long for a proper sewerage scheme in Feakle, “it would seem only fair to me that businesses and residents should be able to have the benefit of the new scheme first. I’m concerned that with a site that size earmarked for development, that will put the people already living and doing business in Feakle at a dissad- vantage’.

Cllr Colm Wiley said that he felt it would be a good idea to have the council’s Director of Housing come to a meeting and outline his plans.

Noi Corum bata KOM LOmsOBUOBLO)Im Or-vIBE-Bhior| by the council, for which they will be

reimbursed by the Government as development takes place, Cllr Wiley pointed out that the local authority “has all this money to spend now and we have no land bank”’.

Council Engineer, Michael Mc- Donogh, told the meeting that there would be no mass development on the site.

“There will be consultation along the way and this 1s a staged proposal. Nothing will be done all at once.

Councillors and officials agreed that they would convene a special meeting of elected representatives for the area as soo as any proposals for the site come on line.

AN exhibition featuring more than 300 images of different members of the famous Kilrush-based Vandeleur family, their relatives and friends will be launched this evening in OTK Ti Koleteee-laey eee

The exhibition, which in entitled The Vandeleur Photographic Collec- tion, will be launched my the Mayor of Clare and Kilrush native, Patricia McCarthy, and comes to Ennis after a successful two week run at the Van- deleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush.

The photographs date from 1857 to 1871, the post famine years when West Clare was struggling to recover from the devastation of crop failure,

evictions and starvation.

“This photographic collection is an import window into a period of our history. History is what forms us and makes us what we are. The Vandeleur family and their period in this county is a typical example of what is good and bad,” said Cllr McCarthy.

“Kilrush benefited from the influ- ence of the Vandeleur family and its development could well be an exam- ple today of good planning resulting as it has in a well planned Town, with wide streets, some striking buildings and a Market Hall forming a central focal point for the town.

“They also saw the potential of the Shannon Estuary and established a thriving port, which brought employ-

ment to the Town and surrounding area. The family had a long military tradition and this involved them in the recruitment of locals to fight in numerous wars including the Great A ETe

“All the Vandeleur landlords were not as progressive however. Unfortu- nately Kilrush like many other areas throughout Ireland suffered under an absentee landlord, a period, which saw many evictions, take place.”

According to Rene Franklin, Clare County Archivist, the Vandeleur Photographic Collection reveals much about both the public and pri- vate lives of one of County Clare’s most influential families in the years after the famine.

“The collection provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the Vandeleurs; their homes; leisure activities; families and friends; travels; and fashions of the day, at a time when the rest of the county was struggling to survive,” she said.

“The photographs themselves are all black and white although a small number have been tinted with col- our. Further colour is added to the album through the use of beauti- fully sketched borders and the use of stamps (both personal and official) on some pages. Each page of the photo- graphic album contains annotations, and the volume is indexed with the name and date of many images.”

PVE been spoiled for choice in re- cent weeks having had the pleasure of testing two very classy Audi mo- tors.

After a week in the Audi A4, I then got to drive the truly massive A6 all- road 2.7 TDI Tiptronic quattro. The black A4 was a classy looking mo- tor, but the silver A6 was just sheer luxury.

“You wouldn’t mind being stuck in Dublin traffic in a car like that.”’ That was the reaction I got from a salesman in a South Dublin garage, a garage that does not specialise in Audi cars.

For me that was some praise com- ing from a competitor, but that was his honest reaction after sitting in and experiencing the comforts of the AO.

When you do sit in it definitely is comfortable. I have often said before that the first thing you do in an au- tomatic is forget about your left leg. Otherwise you will find your fore- head rapidly come in contact with the windscreen as you press what you think is the clutch.

So you just sit back, wait for those lights to turn green and just glide away. If you want speed then the 2.7 engine will ensure that you ‘jump away’ from the lights. And all that power is brilliant when overtaking.

Audi say that the A6 allroad is aimed at people who like horse rid- ing, field sports enthusiasts and those

whose lifestyles have a distinctly off- road dimension.

OW eK rwa Ul eu mcmoree) (CM UbKOr:(OMRVol NE cle. In this model the number plate has been repositioned higher up on the grille to prevent it being ripped away by sharp inclines. Other design features include: beefier bumpers,

bigger door mirrors, flared wheel arches and stainless steel under-body protection.

Externally it doesn’t look like an off-road motor and the only clues are the two roof-bars. It’s a beautiful station-wagon type of car, but I don’t think I would like to risk any damage

to this expensive car by taking it off- road. If I really had to go off-road I think I would probably prefer a 4×4 OS MSO)ONLSLVODNOTMM UIA OMEN OUESA Ooo mmOlU RANTS position.

In the cabin you feel like an air- plane pilot as you select the radio controls which are ideally located in

a console between the driver and the front seat passenger. So if your front seat passenger wants to choose the ra- dio station/cd that she/he wants then the controls are very user friendly for them also.

Naturally the boot is absolutely huge and is capable of carrying any extra items you could think of. It’s a very long motor, but parking sen- sors are provided and they are very useful. When you do park the lights stay on for approximately a minute to allow you get in your front door or if in town, maybe find that parking aloe

Prices for the 2.7 start at E69,440. The optional extras which included leather seats, bluetooth phone, cruise control, heated front seats, sunroof and parking sensors, brought the price of the test car up to E80,934. That’s a lot of money and in an ideal world it would be nice to get your employer to buy one for you. Howev- er, if you keep an eye on the second hand market you could well pick up a bargain. The chances are that the car has been well looked after.

Audi sponsor several sporting events in Ireland each year including the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Derby weekend where they showed off their latest models to an appreciate audience.

THE economic slowdown triggered by the downturn in the construction industry in Clare will last until 2010 unless an improvement comes about in the next three months.

That’s the view of Paddy Kenneal- ly, Head of the Clare Plasterers Un- ion, who claims that no major con- struction projects have started in the county since the beginning of this year and that hundreds are already unemployed or leaving the industry.

This sentiment is reflected in a new

study released by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) which shows a massive drop in new building jobs.

According to the latest ESRI statis- tics, the number of construction com- panies reporting vacancies halved between July and August to just five per cent. This is the lowest level of vacancies ever reported by ESRI, or around one third of the new jobs cre- ated in August of 2006.

“Things are definitely going in the wrong direction. There are no new estates starting up and a lot of the

smaller companies have no work at all,” said Mr Kenneally.

“Some people have already gone abroad. The roofers have been hurt very badly with a lot of people leav- ing the trade altogether. There is a lot of undercutting going on in that sec- tor already which shows that compa- nies are getting very desperate.

“As for the plasterers, Clare is being overwhelmed with plasterers com- ing down from Galway looking for work here. That is bad news for the local plasterers but it also shows that things are bad in Galway as well.”

The construction industry is Clare’s largest single employment sector, with between 11,000 and 13,000 em- ployed in the county.

“It’s hard to tell how long this situ- ation will continue on for. We will know more by Christmas or the springtime what the long-term out- look will be.

“With no new projects starting for the last few months, there will be a knock-on effect for two or three years in the sector,’ continued Mr Kenneally.

“It is really hitting the people work-

ing in the sector. These people have mortgages and car loans the same as anyone else and they are going to be in real trouble if things don’t im- KO) (one

In a separate survey, the ERSI re- ports that employers in the construc- tion industry continued to be nega- tive about future employment levels in the sector. The ERSI’s Net Em- ployment Expectations indicator for August was minus 10 per cent. This means that 10 per cent more employ- ers expect to cut jobs than those ex- pecting to increase jobs.

A MEMBER of the Kilrush-based Western Yacht Club has been hon- oured by Limerick County Council for his achievement in becoming the first Irish winner of the 608- mile Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race last month.

At a civic reception on Monday, Limerick-based property developer Ger O’Rourke received the local authority’s highest accolade for his achievements aboard his yacht Chief- tain, which were rated as the best ma- rine sporting successes of last year. The managing director of Chieftain Construction, who remains heav- ily involved with the Western Yacht Club, was named as Cork Dry Gin

Sailor of the Year earlier this year. He also won his class in the famous Sydney to Hobart race in Christmas PAU Oey

His remarkable run of success con- tinued last month when he and his crew were awarded the Fastnet Chal- lenge Cup and a Rolex Yachtmaster timepiece following their win in one of toughest offshore sailing races in eomUZeu (en

Speaking at the civic reception, Limerick County Council chair- man, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, said Ger O’Rourke’s success further enhanced Limerick’s proud sporting tradition and ability to compete at the top level nationally and internationally.

“Winning this tough event is, for sailors, like an Irish success in the

rugby or soccer world cup. Ger’s victory in the toughest of weather conditions resulted in a new page of sporting history being written. For the first time in the history of the Fastnet Yacht Race, which began in 1925, the name of an Irish boat is on that famous British trophy.

“The victory is especially signifi- cant considering Ger’s 50ft Cookson yacht was only given clearance to compete 48 hours before the event began. It must also be noted that of the 300 boats that started the race, less than 60 finished,” explained the Cathaoirleach.

OCTOBER has been designated ‘Reading Month’ by Clare County Library, which launched its Autumn Lecture Series on Monday. Com- mencing at the deValera library in Ennis on October 9, the series will include adult lectures from three leading literary academics.

The series starts with a lecture by Dr. Paula Murphy on ‘Taking The Snobbery Out Of Reading’. On Oc- tober 16, Shalini Sinha, one of Ire- land’s most insightful commentators will present ‘Why Reading Is Good For Your Health’. The final talk in the series takes place on October 23 when Robert Dunbar presents *“Grow- ing Up With Children’s Books’.

THE route of the Ennis General Hos- pital Committee’s protest rally has been changed to a public march, as confusion reigns over commitments given by Minister Mary Harney to Clare’s five mayors on Thursday Ee

Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy, who attended the hour-long meeting with the Health Minister, said that 24-hour consultant-led accident and emergency services would be lost from the hospital eventually.

In its place, the minister hoped to see a 24-hour A&E service, with a consultant on site for a certain number of hours every day, hours yet

to be decided.

Cllr McCarthy said the minister was looking to the Canadian model of GP coverage for the remainder of those hours.

“We made it very clear to her that nurse-led was not acceptable,’ she ALOE

“Never did she mention that we Should not have 24-hour A&E,” said the first citizen of Clare.

A statement from the Ennis Gen- eral Hospital Development Commit- tee said that last week the “minister announced a consultant led 24-hour accident and emergency at Ennis General Hospital will close and be replaced by a nurse-led minor injury unit, which will close at night”.

“If Ms Harney’s “vision” comes about, it will lead to at least 20 people dying needlessly every year in Coun- ty Clare. It’s a bloody nightmare,” said Peadar McNamara, chairman of the committee.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s rally has changed due to a range of difficul- ties, including public liability insur- ance cover, to a protest march from Cusack Park to The Square. People are asked to assemble at 11.30am be- fore marching to The Square via the Tulla Road, New Road, Newbridge Road, Harmony Row, Bindon Street and Bank Place. Speeches will start in the square at lpm and end at ap- proximately 2pm.

Ennis Town Councillor Tom Glynn

(FF) has said he feels betrayed and upset by his “misplaced trust in those obviously couched and hallow prom- ises” of his party and has called on the people of Ennis to support the march.

“If you believe we in Clare deserve and require full and acute 24-hour accident and emergency services in our local hospital that fully meet with the needs of our community at all times of the day and night, please join in the protest rally with family and friends,” he said.

Local TD Joe Carey (FG) is also lending support. “I am asking that people rightly vent their anger at this decision and make their feelings public.”

CRATLOE man Joe O’Gorman, a farmer and father of five, was pre- sented with the Stephen Donnel- lan Memorial Cup and a cheque for €100 by last year’s winner, Stephen Hickey, at the Clare Shout Festival in Kilkishen on Saturday night.

It was second time lucky for Joe, who now lives in Kilkishen. Last year — the first year of the compe- tition — he was pipped at the final whistle. On Saturday night, he was deemed by the adjudicators to have a shout that was nearest to the genuine and unique ancient Clare Shout.

Again this year the championship was keenly contested, with over 30 competitors lining up on the main street in Kilkishen to take part.

Former national teacher, Mary Mc- Grath-Fahy of Knappogue, Quin, was the first-prize winner at the Clare Shout photo competition. Her picture, ‘Childhood Memories of Cullaun Lake’, was one of over 30 photographs entered for the competition. She was presented with a Galway Crystal tro- phy donated for the event by festival

secretary Joe Meaney.

Second prize went to Seamus O’Donoghue of Ballycasey Road, Shannon, who is a member of Shan- non Camera Club, the only camera club in Clare.

The winner of the third prize was Denis O’Rourke of Clarina, County Limerick, and the children’s section was won by 13-year-old Eryk Prajs, from Poland, who is a pupil at Kilk- ishen National School.

ENNIS Chamber said that feedback from businesses in the town to Satur- day’s car-free day have been “largely positive”’.

The chamber conducted a foot- fall survey on Saturday and will be conducting another one in the near future to see whether the absence

of cars encouraged or discouraged people from coming into town to go SyaTo)ayoyberee

While the results of that survey are still to come in, Rita McInerney, Chamber CEO, said they had also conducted their own survey among members and, with one-fifth of busi- ness having responded already, the feeling is a positive one.

“Not all of the replies are in yet but most were positive and _ busi- nesses also felt that the good weather helped.

‘There were some reports of busi- ness slackening off somewhat in the afternoon.”

McInerney said that the chamber is “looking forward” to being involved in discussions on how pedestrianisa-

tion should work going forward.

With another car-free day being planned for Fashion Week in October and the possibility of car-free days for Christmas shopping, McInerney said that it was felt that Saturday was a good day of the week to try out the concept.

Future days would benefit, chamber members felt, from more advance

publicity and perhaps maps in the local media and notices to illustrate possible traffic movements.

“A map is worth a thousand words and a lot of people didn’t realise that some restrictions on traffic move- ments were lifted on Saturday to allow traffic to flow. Those are the kind of things people need to know for these events.”

THE west Clare members of Clare County Council have agreed to read and consider the terms of a “Grant of Easement” of a right of way in Cree on to Doughmore Beach.

Under the agreement a right of way on to the beach will be handed over to Doonbeg Golf Club Limited in exchange to alternative access to the leer eee

In addressing the Kilrush Area Committee Senior Engineer Donal Buckley said that he has been ad- vised that a high court judicial re- view will have “nothing to do with the right of way”’.

Under the proposal, which must get the approval of the elected members of the council, the right of way over part of the public road at Caherfeen- ick, Cree will be extinguished for 120 metres.

The extinguishment will only take place when criteria are met by the golf club according to Mr Buckley.

Among the commitments is the provision of a car park of 35 spaces constructed to Clare County Coun- cil’s specifications and supervised by the local authority’s staff.

An area of land including the car park and a further estimated .6 acres for 35 more car park spaces must also be transfered into the ownership

of Clare County Council.

A new “turn table at the new termi- nal point” on the Caherfeenick road to Clare County Council’s specifica- tion in size and standard must also be constructed and bollards installed.

“A clear legal grant of a pedestrian right of way to be given by Doonbeg Golf Club to Clare County Council from the turn table” at the end of the road to the beach is another part if the controversial proposal.

A document circulated to the coun- cillors also points to “a clear legal erant of a vehicular right of way for emergency vehicles” to be given by the golf club to Clare County Coun- cil and this right of way to be three

metres wide.

The final criteria to be met by the golf club states that Clare County Council is to be “indemnified against any claim on the Doonbeg Golf Club property by Doonbeg golf Club.”

The west Clare members of the council said that they would like time to study the documentation and to explore the feeling of the people of Caherfeenick on the issue.

‘Are the people of the Caherfeenick Road happy with the bollards there?” asked Cllr Oliver Garry (FG).

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn said the council must ensure legal rights of the people. “The legal certainty is absolute,” she said.