Two Renewal And Enhancement Schemes Officially Opened In West Clare

In one of his final engagements as Mayor of Clare Councillor Flan Garvey paid tribute to the residents of Lisdeen and Allenders Field for their high level of involvement in the development of both schemes.

He continued, "The involvement of local communities in Urban and Village Renewal and Village Enhancement schemes has contributed to the significant improvement in the physical fabric of towns and villages throughout the Clare. I look forward to Clare County Council continued improvement of facilities in local towns and villages through a consultative process with the communities in question."

Planning of the Allenders Field UVR Project commenced in mid 2005 when workshops were held with the local community to determine the extent of works to be undertaken. The Scheme then proceeded to design, planning, tender and finally construction stage. The completed Scheme features the development of a public park for the area incorporating a new-grassed area, extensive planting, new footpaths, upgraded boundary wall, installation of site furniture and the development of a new entrance area.

Under the scheme improvement works were carried out by Contractor Sean Tubridy of Hawthorn Nurseries, who was assisted by the appointed consultative design-team of Soltys Brewster Landscaping Consultants.

Commenting at the opening of the Allenders Field Project, Councillor Claire Haugh, Mayor of Kilkee stated, "The completion of this project marks a major development in terms of the provision of amenity and tourist facilities for the area. This has been unused land for so long and it is great to the project being brought to fruition. It is especially enlightening to witness such a high level of community involvement and participation and this in itself has contributed hugely to the overall success of the Scheme."

The Allenders Field UVR Project is one of a number of projects being undertaken by Clare County Council in Kilkee, including the Hodges Green Urban & Village Renewal Scheme.

The Lisdeen Village Enhancement Scheme, meanwhile, is a joint funding initiative involving CLAR, Rural Resource Development Ltd., Clare County Council and the local community. The completion of the small scale infrastructural and environmental improvement works at Lisdeen complements a series of other schemes in West Clare, such as those at Kilbaha and Cross.

Under the Lisdeen Scheme, Mr. Martin Gilligan was contracted to carry out significant improvement works to the village. Rural Social Scheme workers and their Supervisor Diane Burke-Lahiffe assisted the Contractor, while the project was managed and administered by the Forward Planning Section and Engineering Section of Clare County Council. Rural Resource Development Ltd. provided advice during the improvement works, which were financially supported by CLAR.

Addressing those in attendance at the official opening ceremony in Lisdeen village, Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services, Clare County Council stated, "The completion of this scheme is another example of what can been achieved through the active participation of the local community. I would like to pay tribute to members of the local community for their involvement and strong community spirit, which was evident throughout all stages of the work."

Commenting on the overall success of Urban and Village Renewal and Village Enhancement Schemes across County Clare, Ms. Kinsella commented, "Under both schemes derelict areas have been refurbished, improvements have been carried out to amenities such as riverside walks and parks while upgrading of cultural facilities and historic locations have also taken place. Working with local communities, the projects have boosted improvements to the physical fabric of a number of towns and villages and have brought clear economic benefits, confidence and viability to numerous communities."

"Many communities have acknowledged Clare County Council's commitment to the scheme and have acknowledged the numerous jobs that are provided during the implementation of the schemes. The Urban and Village Renewal Scheme projects involve substantial consultation by the Council's in-house architect, with the Economic Development and Planning Directorate, Engineers, the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government and active participation by the particular communities involved", Ms. Kinsella concluded.

Kilkee Parish Priest Fr. Donagh O'Meara marked the official opening ceremonies at Lisdeen and Allenders Field with the blessing of specially commissioned stone plaques.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- To arrange an interview please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353-868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of both official opening ceremonies are available on request.