The Clare People Archive

RYANAIR has set a target of bringing one million new passengers into Shannon as it gears up to reach 2007 levels when its traffic numbers through Clare’s international airport reached a record 1.9m.

This vision and commitment of the low-cost airline for Shannon was sounded out at the airport on Thursday by deputy chief executive Michael Cawley, at the announcement of eight new Ryanair flights out of Shannon that will commence in April 2014.

“My ambition for Shannon,” said Mr Cawley, “we talked about one million passengers. I wouldn’t lessen that in any way. We can move on. 300,000 is a very good start – this is a very significant step, almost doubling our business,” he added.

In 2011, Ryanair pledged to grow traffic numbers in Shannon by one million, provided it secured the same incentive deal that was being afforded to Aer Lingus by the Dublin Airport Authority at Dublin Airport.

Now the commitment of delivering 300,000 new passengers to Shannon as early as 2014 comes on the back of the announcement of new routes to Berlin, Munich, Krakow, Paris, Nice Fuerteventura, Warsaw and Faro as well as increased frequency on the Stansted route.

“I think we have to walk before we run. I would characterise the announcement as running fairly fast,” said Mr Cawley. “As the economy grows from a very low level, we would see great opportunity as well as putting new spots on the map. It provides us with a platform. “Once these can be bedded down and successful we can grow more. We take one step at a time. That is critical in our business too. We bed down what we have and we move on. This is a very big step,” he added. The Ryanair deputy chief refused to disclose the terms of the new deal, but said “Shannon wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t good for them, Ryanair wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t good for us. All we want is Shannon to be competitive and they have been competitive on this issue and we have a very good understanding. We have met on the middle on that – the tax has been a critical ingredient in making it happen. We are committed for a good number of years under this deal – so is the airport. “We have 30m more passengers that we want to allocate to airports over the next six/seven years – we want to be with people we can ring up and say ‘are the terms the same as the last time’, ‘can we extend it further’. “I would be very disappointed, now that the shackles of the Travel Tax are removed, that Shannon doesn’t participate, at least pro-rata or possibly more so, in that 30m expansion. We are here to stay, we are here to grow,” he added.

MILLIONAIRE Clare farmer JJ McCabe has added to his growing property portfolio in the past week by buying one of the most famous stately homes in the county.

And, in making his latest purchase, the colourful Clarecastle man has stayed close to home in purchasing Carnelly House in his native parish, which dates from the mid 1700s and is just 1km from his farm.

“It was up for auction in Ganley’s of Dublin and I bought it,” he told The Clare People .

“I belong to one of the oldest families in Clarecastle and we have been farming there for over 200 years. Carnelly is one of the oldest houses, it was up for auction and I went for it,” he added.

Mr McCabe, who earlier this year bought the Kilkee Bay Hotel and Ashford Court Hotel in Ennis, paid € 600,000 for the period mansion and its adjoining 74 acres.

This purchase price represents an 80 per cent fall in eight years – before the height of the property boom, the house and adjoining lands was sold by the Gleeson family in 2005 to a Dublin-based consortium called the Master Group for € 3m.

Carnelly House was built between 1830 and 1840, having been designed by Clare-born architect Francis Bindon as a wedding present for his sister, Anna, who married George Stamer.

The house has nine bedrooms, a gate lodge, a walled garden, original two story outbuildings and a courtyard.

Up until 2005, the house, which is in very good condition, was owned by the Gleeson family, who operated it as an up-market bed and breakfast.

The largest room in the house is the drawing room of 17’ by 33’, which has ornate stuccoed ceilings and walls by the Francini brothers and an elaborate niche with Corinthian pillars: doors on either side lead to the house’s conservatory. Other rooms include a formal dining room, morning room, library with extensive bookshelves, and all the working rooms for the house like kitchen, utility and boiler room.

After its sale eight years ago, Clare County Council granted planning for an € 80m development being promoted by Master Group. This included the construction of a 64-bedroom two-story private nursing home, as well as therapy room, a chapel, security room and 135 residential units. The foundations for this development were laid, while the planning permission was renewed in July 2011 until April 2017.

TRADE unions representing staff at Shannon Airport and Shannon Development have raised concerns about the future viability of the newly independent Shannon Airport.

Speaking at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Debate on the Shannon Aviation Services and Miscellaneous Provision Bill 2013, Owen Reidy of SIPTU said, “We have serious reservations and concerns about this prospect actually flying and working because we believe that ultimately, the success of this project is based primarily on planned growth on the airport site and on passenger numbers.”

He maintained that the projected numbers of the business plan for the airport does not stand up to the scrutiny of an appraisal by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He said the projected or planned growth from 1.39 million passengers in November 2012 to 2.5 million passengers by 2021 were based on assumptions that do not stand up to scrutiny in the current economic climate.

“We are concerned that if this does not work, the overall project may suffer and fail, notwithstanding the fact that we wish it well. Should that arise, we would be concerned about any implications for the workers concerned in both entities,” he said.

During the same discussion Neil Pakey, Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Airport Authority, received support for his call to extend the borrowing facility limit for the group to € 100 million.

This, he claimed, would allow the Shannon group to deliver on the recommendations of the task force and to ensure it can be as competitive as its European peer group airport companies.

“As any such borrowings would be subject to business cases and ministerial consent, we should not have a more restrictive limit than our competitors, be they private or public operators,” he said referring to previous operators he worked for who borrow and invest in their airports.

Chair of the meeting Clare TD Timmy Dooley said the committee would forward the recommendation to the Minister.

Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan reiterated the need for an extended borrowing limit.

“For the group to carry out its functions as envisaged, and one hopes there will be wider functions than those envisaged at present, it must be in a position to finance itself and it must be empowered to raise the necessary capital and finance to achieve its objectives,” he said.

Mr Pakey also proposed the renaming of the new look SFADCo to Shannon Enterprise.

GARDAÍ in Clare are urging people to behave responsibly as part of their annual Halloween safety awareness campaign.

Community Guards and members of the Clare County Fire Services have given a series of information meetings at primary and secondary schools around the county. Ennis-based community garda Deirdre O’Doherty said there would be a visible Garda presence on Halloween night (Thursday, October 31) to ensure events pass off safely.

“People drinking and particularly underage drinking at a time when you have bonfires and people letting off fireworks would obviously be the biggest concern for us,” she explained.

Garda O’Doherty continued, “Most of the time there are no problems with kids but it does happen in Ennis, as it does in other towns around Ireland, that you will have people drinking. We would be urging people to let the Fire Services do their job on the night. People should also keep an eye on small kids around bonfires and we would encouraging people to keep pets inside. It’s also important people check on elderly neighbours.”

Ennis Gardaí and Ennis Fire Brigade visited all the classes in Barefield National School on Thursday October 17. The liaison garda officer for Barefield National School, Garda Nadine Keane and Garda Albert Hardiman were present along with Frank Gormley with Gearoid Blake and Stephen Hayes from The Clare Fire Brigade.

Deputy principal Paddy Conroy said the event was beneficial for students.

He said, “Students were shown photographs relating to Halloween dangers and the Garda Nadine Keane and Albert Hardiman advised that the use of firecrackers without a Garda license is an offence. The children viewed photographs and footage of injuries, which have occurred through the use of firecrackers. Old people, young people and animals can sometimes feel intimidated at Halloween so children must ensure that the festival is enjoyed in a responsible and caring fashion. Mr John Burns (Principal) thanked the Garda officers and the firemen for their time and advice and commented that they are friends who keep our communities safe.”

THE search is on for proposals from suitably qualified candidates to maintain and digitise the Shannon Development Collection, an extensive archive of photographic material, associated press clippings and brochures dating from the early 1950s to the present day.

This major collection recounts the evolution of the Shannon region from a large agricultural base to a leading industrial and tourism hub. The development of aviation at Shannon Airport, the birth of Shannon town and the Shannon Free Zone, as well as aerial shots showing different stages during the industrial development of the area are all chronicled.

It charts Shannon Development’s role in regional development. Among the material generated by the company are images and print material relating to tourism and industrial development throughout the region. It traces the growth of towns in counties Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary, South Offaly and North Kerry.

Speaking about its importance a spokesperson for the company said: “The collection contains an extremely significant historic legacy chronicling over 50 years of the Shannon region’s tourism, industrial and social evolution. In photos and words it records the early days at Shannon Airport and the birth of the world’s first Industrial Free Zone. It captures the many world leaders who visited Shannon and the many glamorous Hollywood movie stars who regularly visited the area among them, Gene Kelly, Bob Hope, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Kelly.

‘The collection is a true testament to the hard work and determination of the people of the Shannon region, the dedication of Shannon Development staff, and the commitment and drive of those who partnered with the company down through the years. It is a legacy to their achievements and we want to ensure that these pictures and stories are nurtured and made accessible to future generations.”

Among the photographic element of the collection are over 70,000 black and white negatives, 40,000 transparencies, and 10,000 colour negatives.

There is also a print element consisting of press clippings dating from 1959 to 2006. In addition there are a number of Shannon Development brochures and a full collection of printed copies of the Shannon Development Annual Reports dating from 1959.

Legislation is being enacted to bring together the independent Shannon Airport with the extensive property holding, experience and expertise of Shannon Development under the Shannon Group plc. The ownership of the collection will remain with Shannon Group plc.

Among the terms and conditions is that the collection must be kept together – catalogued, preserved and made available as a resource for researchers, interested organisations and the general public. The successful candidate will manage, store and digitise the collection on behalf of Shannon Group plc. They will be responsible for preserving this hugely important archive and making it accessible to the public. The closing date for receipt of proposals is Friday, October 25. Full details including terms and conditions can be obtained up to Friday, October 18, by emailing croninc@shannondevelopment.ie.

AN AGE-OLD tradition will be marked in the Carron this Sunday as a group of local herdsmen will drive hundreds of cattle to their winter home on the upland Burren pastures.

The cattle drive is the centre point for the second annual Burren Winterage Festival, which is expected to attract hundreds of late-season tourists and visitors to the Burren this weekend.

The festival is aiming to mark the age-old process of winterage, which saw hundreds of cattle being moved to the Burren at the end of the summer, where they would spend the winter in relative dryness because of the porous limestone rock of the Burren.

The process of winterage has actively helped to shape the Burren over the centuries as the cattle helped control the spread of hazel and other scrub plants into limestone pavement.

“The Winterage Weekend is all about celebrating the local commu- nity and their traditions which have assisted in the Burren receiving such international recognition,” said Brigid Barry of the Burrenbeo Trust, who are organisers the event.

“Visitors and locals alike have the opportunity to get involved in some really interesting and fun events and all completely unique and connected to the magnificent landscape that is the Burren.”

Along with the cattle drive the Winterage Festival will also include a number of unique Burren events including the Burren Food Fayre, a number of open-farm events and even a prize for the best shorthorn heifer in the Burren.

The Burren last month became the first place in Ireland to receive a European Diploma for protected areas. The diploma, which is awarded by the Council of Europe, was in recognition of the natural and cultural heritage of the Burren, something that the process of winterage has been key to over the years.

The full Winterage Festival Weekend programme is www.burrenwinterage.com.

THE National Roads Authority has been asked to clarify its position on the placing of signs on motorways and dual carriageways amid claims it is causing confusion.

Independent councillor PJ Ryan told the October meeting of Clare County Council, clarification on the policy is needed.

In a motion, Cllr Ryan stated that “this council would clarify with the NRA the position re: signs on or just off dual carriageway, motorway or primary roads as there seem to be a lot of confusion on this matter”.

Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer in the Council’s Transport Department, said for road safety reasons, all illegal signs are removed from the motorway.

He explained, “Because of the fact that the motorway and dual carriageway system accommodates very large volumes of traffic moving at high speed, the safety of those using the system is of paramount importance. Drivers using the primary route network need certain basic elements of information to facilitate them in terms of destination etc.”

He continued, “The motorway signage system is designed to provide basic minimum information while at the same time it seeks to ensure that the information given isn’t overly detailed or cluttered and that it isn’t too much for a driver travelling at 120 km/hr to absorb without distraction. Effectively, the objective is to provide optimum information of the kind needed by an average motorway driver and to minimise the potential for distraction thereby facilitating complete focus on driving safely.”

Mr Tiernan stated, “For the reasons outlined in the foregoing, no signage other than that designed and approved by the NRA is allowed on the motorway system and any signage placed within the confines of the primary route system without approval is unauthorised and illegal.

“Since the NRA took over maintenance and management of the motorway system recently, this policy has been implemented fully by virtue of the fact that it is a clear stipulation in the NRA’s contract with the contractor who has been engaged to look after the motorway and dual carriageway network.”

Mr Tiernan told the meeting that any signs, which have been removed to facilitate this requirement, can be retrieved by owners at the new motorway maintenance depot adjacent to Junction 13, Tulla Road Interchange on the M18.

CLARE County Council has been urged to consider new bye-laws to prevent the locking of gates at private burial grounds.

The issue was raised at the October meeting of Clare County Council. In a motion, Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) stated, “Where privately-owned lands have to be traversed to access a burial ground I propose that, in the interest of public accessibility, this council adopts a protocol that prohibits the locking of gates. If neces- sary, I propose the amendment of an existing bye-law or the drafting of a new bye-law to facilitate this.”

Cllr Crowe told the meeting that his proposed amendment would seek the outright prohibition of locking graveyard gates or the locking of gates on a case specific basis.

He said the issue could first be considered by the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) in conjunction with the local area office.

He said that while there is good pedestrian access to most public graveyards, the problem of locked gates in private burial grounds affected most areas of the county.

In reply, Gerard Dollard, Director of Services and Ennis Town Manager, stated, “In such instances, and more often than not, such land is used for the grazing of livestock. It is understandable that an entrance gate, particularly onto a public road would be locked in order to ensure that animals do not stray onto the public road.”

He continued, “Where gates are locked, the landowner co-operates by erecting a sign specifying the location of keys and on request arranges for the distribution of keys to, for example, the local undertaker, community group, registrar, caretaker, mobility impaired individuals who are regular visitors to a burial ground etc. Usually, a burial ground can also be accessed by a stile at the entrance.

Mr Dollard said the securing of gates is seen as necessary in some burial grounds in order to discourage anti-social behaviour.

“It is clear that the motion refers to privately-owned lands and it is my understanding that the council cannot regulate the access over such lands by way of bye-law,” he added.

PRIESTS in both the Killaloe and Galway/Kilfenora dioceses have been specially trained to perform exorcisms on possessed parishioners. According to Fr Fiontán Ó Monacháin, secretary to the Archbishop of Tuam, three unnamed Irish priests have received special training in how to combat evil spirits and perform exorcisms.

Father Ó Monacháin said that while exorcisms are not common practice – they do take place and the priests involved are given special training to assist them in battling evil spirits.

He said that three priests – an unnamed priest in the Killaloe Diocese, a Jesuit father based in the Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Diocese, a priest based in Carlow – have received special exorcism training.

Spokesperson from the Killaloe Diocese, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, told The Clare People yesterday that no priest in the diocese has the specific job of conducting exorcisms but that all priests receive basic training in conducting exorcisms.

Fr Sean McHugh of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, said that he was not aware of any priests in the diocese who had received special training for conducting exorcisms but that the nature of the work meant that the priests identity would be kept secret.

Before an exorcism can take place, the person involved is first assessed to ensure that he or she is suffering from a spiritual possession and not a psychological issue. The local parish priest will then generally attempt to help the effected person, usually by speaking with them or performing a mass in their home. Only when this fails is permission sought from the bishop for an exorcism to take place.

“That [local] priest would have a good idea if it’s a psychiatric or a spiritual issue. If it’s a spiritual problem, the priest would usually say prayers or celebrate Mass in the house, or give a special blessing using holy water,” said Fr Ó Monacháin.

“If that doesn’t work and if they are still suffering, a formal exorcism may be necessary. And if that’s the case there are priests in the country who are trained in that field. There aren’t many. I know of a Jesuit priest in Galway and there is another priest in the Killaloe Diocese and a Franciscan priest from Carlow.”

Fr Quinlivan stressed yesterday that every care is taken to assess the psychological state of the person involved before a exorcism is considered.

“The first consideration is always the psychological condition of the person involved. This is something that we are extremely careful about,” he said.

These revelation about modern day exorcisms came to light in the ‘Díbirt Deamhain’ programme shown on TG4 on Sunday.

CONSTRUCTION work on the final section of the M18 motorway will get underway early in the new year with the road now expected to be up and running before the end of 2017.

The news was confirmed by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny (FG), last week at the Irish Haulier of the Year Awards and comes as a major boost both for Clare commuters and Shannon Airport.

The final section of the motorway, which will connect Gort to Galway City and on to Tuam, has been on ice since the onset of the recession in 2007. However, following an announcement by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar (FG), earlier this year, work on the public private scheme had been expected to begin in recent months.

The tender process for the project is at an advanced stage with a number of local businesses in North Clare expected to benefit during the threeyear construction phase.

This news is a major boost for Shannon Airport as it will allow the Clare airport to compete against Knock and Dublin airports for the custom of hundreds of thousands of customers in Galway and all along the northern seaboard.

The news could have an unexpected negative effect on the future of the Western Rail Corridor. Campaigners for the corridor, which reintroduced between Ennis and Galway in 2010, expect the rail line to be extended north as far as Sligo before 2021.

However, the extension of the motorway as far north as Tuam is expected to undermine the business plan behind and further extension of rail services.

The 2030 Rail Network Strategy Review has concluded that the reopening of the remainder of the Western Rail Corridor will become much less necessary once M18 motorway is completed.