Podcasts about broadford

Originally from Broadford  is currently the Acting Head of the European Security and Defence College. He speaks to Daragh Leamy. Recorded live at the European Parliament, Brussels   as part of Saturday Chronicle 24th May 2025 hosted by Jim Collins, TOm Hanley, Daragh Leamy and Stephen Minogue .  Saturday Chronicle is Sponsored by JAMES M NASH AND DERG KITCHEN DESIGN http://dergkitchendesign.ie Message or what's app the studio on 089 2582647 or email sbcrstudio@gmail.com

It's claimed the increased cost of implementing the wastewater treatment schemes in Broadford and Cooraclare is no excuse not to deliver the projects on time. At this month's meeting of Clare County Council, Doonbeg Fianna Fáil councillor, Rita McInerney, requested an update on the current status and progress of the schemes which were announced in December of 2023. In response, Clare County Council says the projects' estimated delivery remains between three and five years, and additional funding at government level should be sought. Councillor McInerney says the projects have been committed to and must be delivered with haste.

 This week Host Jim Collins is joined on the phone by Broadford correspondent Martin Cooper for all the news. Around the parishes which is sponsored by Tom Collins engineering.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is appealing to all donors to attend its clinic in Clare this weekend, to relieve pressure on the blood supply. At present, there are just over three days worth of O negative blood in stock, two and a half days of AB negative supply, while there is enough supply of B negative blood to cater for four days demand. A blood donation clinic will be taking place this Sunday in the West County Hotel in Ennis from 11:50 until 3:10. Broadford-based IBTS Donor Recruitment Executive, Alex O'Connor, says there are multiple factors behind low blood supplies to start the year.

Clare people are being urged to attend blood donation clinics in the county this week to prevent local hospitals from experiencing shortages during the hot spell. Clinics will be taking place tonight and tomorrow from ten to five until ten past eight at the West County Hotel in Ennis. It's expected over 65% of blood donations will go towards cancer treatments, while over 5% will support child births. Broadford-based Irish Blood Transfusion Service Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says every donation will be crucial.

A politician in a neighbouring county has hit out at the "painstakingly slow" progress of Clare infrastructural projects. It follows concerns raised over blockages to housing development in Cooraclare, Broadford and Kilkishen. New wastewater systems for Cooraclare and Broadford were approved in December 2023, but no ground has been broken to date, while in Kilkishen plans for a 61 unit housing estate have been rejected twice due to sewerage deficiencies. Addressing the Housing Minister, Fine Gael's Seanad Housing Spokesperson Senator PJ Murphy says communities here are extremely frustrated.

The delivery of wastewater treatment systems in Broadford and Cooraclare is expected within the next three to five years. In December 2023, both villages were included in a €50m government pilot scheme to provide infrastructure in unsewered rural areas. The local authority is responsible for delivering the projects in consultation with Uisce Eireann and it's understood the preferred options have been identified for both. Clare County Council Senior Engineer Cyril Feeney says it's an extensive process.

We know Bev as the founder and manager of the Hogsprickle Wildlife Rescue Centre in Broadford. Bev is more used to dealing with hedgehogs, but less so turtles! However, she recently found herself nursing a rare turtle back to health after the reptile washed up on a Co. Clare beach. The rare green turtle, which Bev helped to bring out of danger, is apparently only the second time one has been washed up on Irish shores. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the founder and manager of the Hogsprickle Wildlife Rescue Centre in Broadford, Bev Truss. Photo (C): Wirestock from Getty Images via Canva

 Writer and Broadcaster came in to chat about traditions and customs of Christmas and New Year and about a new book put together by the students of Broadford and Kilbane national school. It is titled Broadford Myths and Legends.  Originally broadcast as part of  Saturday Chronicle 28th December 2024  hosted by John S Kelly, Jim Collins with Tom Hanley. Saturday Chronicle is Sponsored by JAMES M NASH AND DERG KITCHEN DESIGN http://dergkitchendesign.ie Message or what's app the studio on 089 2582647 or email sbcrstudio@gmail.com

An urgent appeal has been issued to people in Clare for blood donations, as supplies remain very low in the wake of Storm Éowyn. The recent severe weather events and high levels of respiratory illness within communities has significantly impacted blood collections and the IBTS is running critically low in blood stocks. It says it urgently needs new donors, younger donors, donors of all ethnicities and in particular, those of African heritage. Clinics are taking place in Ennis and Ennistymon today and tomorrow and Broadford based Donor Recruitment Executive, Alex O'Connor says five days worth of blood is required to reach comfortable levels of supply.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning that vital medical procedures could be cancelled imminently if Clare people don't offer their assistance. The national blood supply has been heavily impacted by Storm Éowyn as well as high levels of respiratory illness, with blood stocks as low as three days for many groups. Kilrush Community School will play host to a blood donation clinic this Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm and donors can register by calling 1800 222 111 or by logging onto giveblood.ie. Broadford-based IBTS Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons a never-before-seen amber alert could be issued to Irish hospitals if the situation isn't reversed.

Power has been restored to a further 6,000 premises across the Banner county, as just over 16,000 households and businesses brace for a fourth day without power. Supply was restored to properties in the Kilkee, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona areas yesterday evening, taking the total number of restorations seen in Clare to over 28,000. ESB crews have been working, meanwhile, to restore power to homes and businesses in Sixmilebridge, Moveen, Lahinch, Quilty, Broadford and Carigaholt across last night and this morning. The ESB has described Storm Éowyn as "by far the worst storm" it's ever experienced in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage to the network. ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin, says crews are still experiencing new faults and damages in Clare and there's still 'a week's work' in fully restoring power countywide.

Power has been restored to a further 6,000 premises across the Banner County, as just over 16,000 households and businesses brace for a fourth day without power. Supply was restored to properties in the Kilkee, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona areas yesterday evening, taking the total number of restorations seen in Clare to over 28,000 ESB crews have been working to restore power to homes and businesses in Sixmilebridge, Moveen, Lahinch, Quilty, Broadford, and Carigaholt across last night and this morning. The ESB has described Storm Éowyn as "by far the worst storm" it's ever experienced in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage to the network. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin. Despite recent power outages across the county, communities have come together, showcasing remarkable support and resilience. For more on this, Alan was joined by the Manager at Armada Hotel, Bernard Cahill and Principal of St Joseph's Secondary School in Tulla, Juliet Coman. Photo (c): ESB Powerchecker

Approximately 22,000 homes, farms and businesses across Clare, remain without electricity in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. This figure is half of what was seen at the height of the red weather alert, while nationwide 325,000 premises are without power for a third day. Restorations are expected by this evening in parts of Kilkee along with Carrigaholt, Broadford, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona. However, ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin, says it may take until Friday before some customers have power returned.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will host a new blood donation clinic in Clare to address a shortfall of clinics nationwide post Christmas. It comes as the IBTS has reported that across Ireland there is currently a shortfall of 45 donation clinics, with supply also reduced for a time over the Christmas period. To counteract, supply and clinic shortfall in this county, IBTS will run a blood donation clinic in Clonlara for the first time at Clonlara Community Centre on Sunday from 11.50am to 3.10pm. Broadford based Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor, says blood stocks overall are reasonable but that they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

An East Clare member of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning that in the days following Christmas Day, blood stocks will see a stark countrywide deduction. With 67% of blood stocks used to support cancer treatments and further vast quantities used to support childbirth, stocks will be depleated over the festive period with hospitals only able to hold fresh blood for three to five days. Broadford native and IBTS Donor Recruitment Executive, Alex O'Connor says the donation clinic in Treacy's West County on December 27th is vital to replenish stock. He's warning that although stocks have recovered from pre amber alert levels, robust measures need to be put in place just after Christmas to prevent levels falling to this threshold.

Chairman of Broadford waste water action Group.  As broadcast live on SBCR as part of  Saturday Chronicle 12th October 2024  hosted by Pat O'Brien and Tom Hanley. Saturday Chronicle is Sponsored by JAMES M NASH AND DERG KITCHEN DESIGN http://dergkitchendesign.ie Message or what's app the studio on 089 2582647 or email sbcrstudio@gmail.com

Madge O'Callaghan is an author and poet based in Kilbane, East Clare. She worked with primary school children from Broadford and Kilbane National School on a collection of illustrated stories called “Broadford Myths and Legends”. The book will launch this evening at Broadford Community Hall from 7 pm. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Madge O'Callaghan. Photo (c): Clare FM

Laura O'Connell is well on the road to achieving her dreams in the world of motorsport. The 25-year-old Clare woman has been competing in the first-ever Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers in Dubai. Laura, who hails from Broadford, is among a select group of fifty female racing drivers drawn from 25 countries across the world who have been competing at the inaugural event. To tell us more, Laura joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Image courtesy of Laura O'Connell.

A host of Christmas markets and Christmas fairs will be happening all around County Clare this month. On Thursday's Morning Focus, we focused on Christmas festivities in Mountshannon, Broadford, Kilrush and Doonbeg. To find out what is planned, Alan Morrissey was joined by Frank Bouchier of Mountshannon Christmas Market, Karen O'Connor of Broadford Christmas Market, Eamon Peters of Kilrush Christmas Market and Karen McInerney of Doonbeg Christmas Market. Photo (c): Oleksandr P from Pexels via Canva

New blood donors are being sought in Shannon to prevent acute supply shortages at local hospitals. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be hosting clinics tonight and tomorrow Tuesday at the Oakwood Arms Hotel from 20 past 4 until 7pm. The donations will be used in the course of cancer treatments, transfusions and other essential surgeries and in the last year alone, there's been an 8% increase in demand for blood at Irish hospitals. Broadford based IBTS Donor Recruitment Executive, Alex O'Connor, says new supplies are particularly needed for infants.

An election candidate claims Clare has been held back from long term progress due to legacy politicians prioritising their careers. It follows renewed frustration over a proposed sewerage schemes for Broadford and Cooraclare which were first promised under the rural towns and villages initiative and water services investment programme respectively in 2002. Both villages then received a new commitment as part of a €50m pilot programme last December, however no ground has been broken on either site to date. Tuamgraney based Rabharta candidate Barry O'Donovan says parish pump politics has led to a lack of vision.

The Clare branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning that hospitals are still struggling for blood supplies amid the cold weather spell. A Clinic will be taking place in Ennis this evening from 4:50pm to 8:10pm at Treacy's West County Hotel.The IBTS is hoping to avoid an Amber alert , where a lack of blood supply can lead to cancellations of scheduled care. Broadford based Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says it's vital those unable to make their slot due to the weather give advance notice, so their appointment can be offered to someone else

The Government claims it's working to deliver sewerage schemes for two Clare communities "as quickly as possible" but says it understands the frustration of locals. It's almost a year since it was confirmed that Broadford and Cooraclare would be included in a €50 million scheme to connect unsewered settlements to wastewater treatment services. Speaking in the Seanad this week, Tulla Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley has called out the Department of Housing for failing to provide a progress update and has accused officials of "putting a dead hand" on the projects. Responding to Senator Dooley on behalf of Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien, Senator Pippa Hackett says developments like these take time.

Residents in Broadford, Kilmore and Kilbane will come together this weekend to discuss the creation of a new community sports Centre. The meeting will lay out plans for a new Community Sports Centre at the Brookville House site in Broadford. The facilities include an astro pitch, parking, & improved pedestrian safety. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil Cllr, Tony O'Brien and John Corcoran, who is involved in the organisation of this with Broadford GAA. Photo (c): Kirill_Savenko from Getty Images via Canva

Supernatural experiences abound in Irish Folklore.  The veil is thin between the concrete world and the other dimensions especially in the dark part of the year.  The stories are told by Teresa Flynn from Mountshannon, Paddy Murphy, Joe Jack Sexton and Martin Walsh from Mullagh, John Hastings from Quin, Bridie Mahony from Moughna, Peggy Hogan from Feakle, and Sean Crowe from Broadford.GLOSSARY OF TERMSBanshee or 'Bean sí' a female spirit in Irish and other folklores whose appearance or wailing warns of impending death'Cóiste bodhar' or Death Coach: a harbinger of death.'Habit': Attire for dead person, similar to monk's habit.  Sold in local shops.  A plenary indulgence (Catholic faith) was gained if the hand of the dying person was put through the sleeve of the habit before they died.'Ragairne' / 'going on ragairne': night visiting to neighbours' houses'Piseogs': A form of folk magic, always malevolent. Performed to cause misfortune to someone, such as burying eggs or an animal carcass on someone's land. 'Making a churn': making butter'Scillanes': seed potatoes'Sock of the plough': metal part of a plough'Bittling': a way of washing clothes in the river by slapping them on a wooden block (a bittle). This sound was offered as an explanation for the handclap sometimes heard when the Banshee appeared.Series 2 of The Clare Oral History Podcast is supported by The Ireland FundsFollow Cuimhneamh an Chláir on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn

It's claimed all post offices in Clare are at risk amid the closure of a prominent Ennis branch. An Post has confirmed its Market Street office will shut for the final time at 4pm on October 31st, as it has been unable to fill a vacancy arising from the retirement of the outgoing Postmaster. It marks the seventh post office closure in Clare since 2018, with, Broadford,Cree, Craggagh-Fanore, Doonbeg, Lissycasey and Kilfenora all having lost their institutions in recent years. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor and Postmaster Tom O'Callaghan says the current operating model is flawed.

The Clare branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning further hospital cancellations in The MidWest are highly likely unless urgent supply issues are addressed. The IBTS has issued a pre-amber alert, which means all Irish Hospitals have been asked to conserve their use of blood. An additional 2,000 donations are needed over the next month to restore adequate blood supplies and clinics will take place at the West County Hotel in Ennis on Wednesday 18th and 23rd and in Kilrush Community Hall on Thursday 24th. Broadford based IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says hospitals will have difficult decisions to make, if supply isn't met.

An East Clare General Election candidate insists better services are needed in this county to ensure those experiencing mental health issues don't spiral into addiction. Matthew Moroney has announced he'll be running as an Independent in the upcoming General Election. The Broadford farmer ran under the banner of Independent Ireland in the recent Local Elections, receiving 860 first preference votes, but has since left the newly-formed party. He claims due to inadequate mental health supports, many people in this county are developing a dependency on substances as a means of coping.

Kevin Ryan is a hugely popular and well-liked married father of one from Kilmore, Broadford in East Clare. Since the Autumn of 2023, when he experienced kidney failure as well as numerous other health complications, Kevin has been left unable to work and with significant care needs. He spent over 6 months in the University Hospital Limerick but in May 2024, Kevin secured a place in Abbot Close Care Centre in Askeaton where he is now receiving the 24-hour a day one to one care that is so critical for him to maintain his quality of life but this level of care is beyond what can be provided by the HSE. To find out more, Peter O'Connell was joined by the organiser of the GoFundMe and friend of Kevin Ryan, Kieran Corcoran. Photo (c): https://www.gofundme.com/f/can-you-help-kevin-and-his-family-to-meet-his-critical-care

The Clare Branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is appealing for new donors amid a challenging time of year for the service. The IBTS is aiming to retain a minimum of 3 days worth of blood stocks in order to facilitate routine hospital services such as heart and knee operations, pregnancies and cancer treatment. Donation clinics will be taking place this evening and tomorrow Wednesday at Treacy's Oakwood Hotel from 4pm until 20 past 7. Broadford based IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says its vital new participants come forward in order to keep the healthcare system running.

A new pilot project will aim to restore 30% of Clare's church grounds at ten sites across the county to nature by the end of the decade. Broadford, Clarecastle, Kilmaley, Moy, Inagh-Kilnamona, Mullagh, Kilrush, Killimer, Cooraclare and Miltown Malbay are the parishes that have been chosen by the local authority for the programme. The project will aim to establish new habitats on church grounds, through the development of initiatives such as pollinator friendly fruit trees, wildflower meadows and barn owl boxes. Clare County Council Biodiversity Officer Barry O'Loughlin says there's a superb community effort involved.

It's feared a long-awaited plan for an East Clare sewerage scheme will be abandoned if it isn't progressed before the General Election. Applications for connecting the unsewered settlements of Broadford and Cooraclare to wastewater infrastructure were approved last December but much frustration has been expressed since due to a perceived lack of progress. At July's meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, Fine Gael Councillor Joe Cooney received unanimous support for his proposal that the MD write to the Department of Housing and Uisce Éireann requesting greater urgency on the projects. The Bodyke representative says if there's a change of Government before the plans are moved forward, it's possible the projects will be scrapped.

This week on Hot Dog Cramps, the three hot dog boys are ranking the meats that they consumed at their favourite Broadford cafe, Pagey's Cafe. Thank you Pagey's for having us and we cannot wait to come back to eat more of your world famous hot dogs! Buy an official Pikman shirt: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/150221669Email us at ThumbCrampsPod@gmail.com Find us on Instagram;Jackson | Duscher | Thumb Cramps | HaydenFind us on X;Jackson | Duscher | Thumb Cramps | HaydenWatch us on Twitch;Jackson | Duscher You can physically send us stuff to PO BOX 7127, Reservoir East, Victoria, 3073.Join our facebook group here or join our Discord here.Theme music by Benny Davis! You can find all his stuff at his website or check out his YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel visits Fairhill Rise, an education centre in East Lothian which is part of the Ruskin Mill Trust. The centre provides outdoor learning and activities for those with autism and additional needs. Rachel meets the manager and hears about their work.Ahead of World Otter Day this coming Wednesday, Mark visits International Otter Survival Fund in Broadford on Skye to hear about the work they carry out across the world and meet some of the otters they have in their care.Over the past couple of weeks folk singer Kirsty Law has been walking along the route of the River Tweed. Her Meander tour has seen her meet other musicians along the way and stop to perform gigs as she goes. Maud Start went to catch up with her near Innerleithen.Mark joins a bike bus in Edinburgh- a safe way for kids to cycle to school. He hears from the organiser Jarlath Flynn about where the idea comes from and sees first hand how they work. He also chats to some of the children and their parents about the benefits of cycling to school.Soil Association Scotland and other groups have been carrying out crop trials to see which varieties of flax might grow best in Scotland. Rachel visits Lauriston Farm near Edinburgh who are part of the project to see the process of sowing the flax. And she meets Rosie Bristow from Fantasy Fibre Mill who has been using flax to make yarn and then linen.There seem to be a lot of dandelions on the go at the moment, with many gardeners cursing their presence in their lawns. However, the humble dandelion actually has many great properties so perhaps we shouldn't be quite so quick to pull it out. We chat live to M.T. O'Donnell, founder and editor of Scotland Grows Magazine about the benefits of the dandelion.And in our latest Scotland Outdoors podcast Mark spent some time at the Chippendale International School of Furniture near Haddington. We hear an excerpt of him chatting to some of those at work making some unique pieces of furniture.

Frustration has been expressed at the lack of progress on a long-awaited sewerage scheme in East Clare. Clare County Council was informed last December that its applications to connect the unsewered settlements of Broadford and Cooraclare to wastewater infrastructure had been approved, but no timeframe on the delivery of the projects has been provided yet. It's understood the Department has requested additional programming, technical and project governance information which was due last week but following further discussion between the Department and the local authority, the deadline has been extended. Sixmilebridge Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan believes locals have "waited long enough" for the much-needed infrastructure.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be holding donation clinics in Shannon from today in order to increase stocks ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Fresh blood for adults can be held for up to 21 days, while supplies for children and infants can only be stored for five days and at present the IBTS only has a 4-day supply available. The Shannon donation clinics will take place this afternoon and tomorrow Thursday from twenty past four at the Oakwood Arms Hotel until 7. Broadford based IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor is urging donors to come forward.

On Friday, 43 years after the disaster, a jury ruled that the 48 young people who died in the Stardust blaze, were unlawfully killed. Journalist and broadcaster Vincent Browne, who grew up in Broadford, Co Limerick, recalled on social media another terrible fire that killed 48 people. This disaster occurred in 1926 in Dromcollogher, Co Limerick. https://twitter.com/vincentbrowne/status/1781065520399175811

It's claimed the prospect of unsewered Clare communities receiving government funding is in serious doubt. The Department of Local Government has issued a deadline of May 1st to Clare County Council for further technical information in order to deliver wastewater infrastructure in Cooraclare and Broadford. The villages were included in the first round of the €50m rural water programme in December and since then business cases for a follow-up round have been prepared by the local authority for Carrigaholt and Doolin. Scariff Independent Deputy Michael McNamara believes the Governments lack of action has put the schemes future in jeopardy.

The Irish Blood Transfusion service is seeking donations in Ennis this evening ahead of the busy St. Patrick's Day period. The IBTS clinic will be open at the West County Hotel from 4:50pm and will be welcoming donors until ten past eight tonight. It's the last clinic in Clare ahead of the March 17th and hospitals are anticipating a 6% increase in demand for blood transfusions from this time last year. Broadford native and IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says donors with type-o blood are particularly desired.

A Clarecastle councillor believes the Government must look at international best practice to secure the survival of the post office network. A funding package of €30 million over a three-year fixed period was introduced in 2022 to support a "sustainable, nationwide post office network". Broadford, Cooraclare, Cree, Craggagh-Fanore, Doonbeg, Lissycasey and Kilfenora are among the communities in Clare that have lost their post offices in recent years, while over 200 nationwide have closed their doors since 2018. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor says if countries such as New Zealand can have profitable post office services, so too can Ireland.

The Clare branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is urging members of the public to come on board as donors in order to prevent supply shortages. The service will require 3,000 new donations each week to simply keep hospitals supplied and its hoping to recruit at least 15,000 new donors this year. People with the blood type O-Negative are particularly sought after as they make up 16% of all bloods issued and are considered universal donors. Broadford man and IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says stocks are running low and need to be replenished.

With a computer programming background and an instinct for reporting, Malachy Browne is on the vanguard of a new form of data-driven news coverage that is revitalizing journalism.Co-founder and enterprise director of the New York Times Visual Investigations team, Malachy is pioneering the use of digital sleuthing, collecting and analyzing troves of video and audio, satellite images and other data, and creating 3-D reconstructions of crime scenes and geopolitical events to hold the powerful to account and deconstruct important news events.These efforts have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, an Emmy, and other top-tier accolades for Malachy and his team.Not bad for a Limerick lad from the village of Broadford, population 276!He'd earn his master's in international relations at the University of Limerick after getting his bachelor's degree in engineering at University College Dublin.Malachy tells of navigating between his core computer competency and his journalistic instincts (which he “blames” on his uncle, the legendary journalist Vincent Browne) which would lead him to Storyful, where he'd collaborate with past guests Mark Little, David Clinch, and others in creating the emerging innovative data-driven style of reporting.Join us for an inside look at the way Malachy and his team are telling the world's most critical stories—from the Arab Spring to the January 6th Insurrection—in an entirely new way. Malachy Browne LinksX/TwitterFacebookLinkedInNew York Times LinksVisual InvestigationsMalachy BrowneDay of Rage: How Trump Supporters Took the U.S. Capitol

A West Clare Councillor is urging the local authority to prioritise the provision of Wastewater Infrastructure in one of the county's most prominent tourist areas. Carrigaholt, which hosts a special area of conservation, is one of 50 settlements in Clare that is currently without sewerage facilities. Last month, Cooraclare and Broadford became the first villages from this county to be accepted into a €50m government pilot scheme aimed at connecting unsewered rural areas to treatment plants. Cross Fine Gael Councillor Gabriel Keating claims the council has committed to putting Carrigaholt forward this time around.

TFI Local Link is being urged to up its game with regard to promoting its services in Ennis. The bus service currently has daily routes which connect the county town to the likes of Limerick, Kilrush, Ballyvaughan, Broadford, Whitegate and Quin with many of these running several times a day. With the Ennis Town Bus Service not expected to come on stream until early 2025, Green Party representative Bridget Ginnity believes local bus routes can serve people in the intervening period. The Ennis resident says a greater effort must be made to inform the public of how to avail of Local Link services.

The Minister for Finance insists that residents of both Cooraclare and Broadford will shortly receive clarity on proposed sewerage schemes. Despite numerous false dawns since January, neither village has yet to receive confirmation of their inclusion in a €50m government pilot programme aiming to connect unsewered rural settlements to wastewater infrastructure. Its understood Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien is now finalising a draft memorandum containing the successful applicants, which is due to go to Cabinet for sign off within the next week. Speaking during a visit to Clare, Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath says the inclusion of both villages is a priority for government.

It's claimed the approval of sewerage schemes for both Cooraclare and Broadford will finally allow communities in those villages to grow and prosper. Both villages were today among the thirteen nationwide to be included in a €50m government pilot scheme aiming to connect unsewered rural settlements to wastewater infrastructure. Each local authority was only allowed to nominate two projects when the programme was announced last year, while another 50 settlements in this county still remain without sewerage systems. Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe says though Christmas has come early for Broadford and Cooraclare, its vital that the scheme is expanded.

It's claimed the approval of sewerage schemes for both Cooraclare and Broadford will finally allow communities in those villages to grow and prosper. Both villages were today among the thirteen nationwide to be included in a €50m government pilot scheme aiming to connect unsewered rural settlements to wastewater infrastructure. Clare Senator Timmy Dooley led a delegation of Clare Oireachtas Members to meet with the Minister in 2020, where he proposed a new type of scheme to provide wastewater facilities in villages where there is no Irish Water facilities already in place. He says this development recognises the demand for people wanting to live in rural villages.

Clare's Fianna Fáil TD insists the government has "no choice" but to approve funding for long-awaited sewerage schemes in Broadford and Cooraclare. Residents of the two communities are still awaiting confirmation of funding for their respective sewerage schemes, having been nominated by Clare County Council for the €50m pilot scheme last April. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed hope last week that the successful communities as well as a second round of funding would be announced soon. Meelick Deputy Cathal Crowe says the government can either provide Broadford and Cooraclare with the infrastructure they need or be complicit in grave human and environmental damage.

One of the most prestigous tournaments in Ireland's Handball calendar will get underway in Clare tonight. Over 150 adult players from Senior ranks to the over 55's in both the mens and women's codes will descend on the county for the return of the Handball Nationals. Courts in Tuamgraney, Tulla, O'Callaghan's Mills, Kilkishen, Clooney-Quin, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Toonagh and Broadford will play host to the action, with free admission to all fixtures including Sunday's finals. Two time World Doubles and former All-Ireland singles Champion, Tuamgraney clubman Diarmuid Nash says its a vital opportunity to grow the game.