We need proper backing to get the plan done”. The West Clare Railway used to run from the County Town of Ennis to Kilrush in County Clare. Keep Reading. Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) responded “this will be delivered by all parties, it won’t matter who is in Government”. West Clare Railway has been restored to provide a fun day out for families and school tours. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They also stopped at Coach House Coffee in Kilmacthomas which opened in 2017. Published on 04/09/2020 in Home / News by Páraic McMahon. The last journey took place on a dark night on Tuesday 31st March 1959 West Clare Railway Greenway Hits A Bump In The Road 28th June 2017 Plans to create a Greenway from Ennis to Lahinch for walkers and cyclists have taken a blow, with many farmers opposing the idea. A delivery plan was sought by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), “We’re looking at €9m from Kilrush to Kilkee from what Sean has said. Waterford was still owned by CIE, their line closed in the 90s, ours closed in the 60s. The scheme is a countywide scheme starting in Ennis and running along North Clare into West Clare. The proposed project features a 33-kilometre cycling and walking route linking Ennis to Lahinch, via Corofin and Ennistymon, along the route of the dismantled West Clare Railway. These are the jobs we need in Clare. If you have a story, tip or some feedback for him then send an email to - paraic@clareecho.ie. The Irish government have finally launch their strategy on # greenways a number of counties have responded with their plans I've seen nothing yet from the # clarecountycouncil Latest Posts. Following opposition to the West Clare Railway Greenway, Tom Tiernan of Clare County Council spoke to Gavin about the project. There are good people at the helm that can do it”. A bridge posing dangers to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists near Lees Road has been labelled as, Calls for additional lighting along the Ballybeg Road have been made as a means of protecting, A West Clare councillor has flagged that Direct Provision could be regarded as the modern day, Páraic McMahon is Head of News & Sport with The Clare Echo. Hopeful we will be able to overcome any potential problems. Slieve Elva B&B. A short length of line has been preserved at Moyasta Junction. The C&L; was the only Irish narrow gauge company to stay with steam throughout its lifetime. Come visit us and immerse yourself in We have to learn from the past”. Lissycasey representative, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) praised the “wonderful idea”. A crispy but very nice … Can ye talk to the Minister, I don’t care if it is electioneering. Ireland’s most famous railway. He added, “It’s not cheap. Elected members of the West Clare Municipal District were briefed on plans for the Greenway at a meeting last week. West Clare Railway Greenway. 255,000 euro has been allocated towards the project, which is one of 26 across the country to receive a portion of a 4.5 million euro fund announced by the Minister for Transport. Morning Focus. From 1887 to 1961, the West Clare Railway shuttled passengers from Ennis to towns including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Miltown Malbay, Kilkee and Kilrush. Site also has many links to Irish narrow gauge web sites. The West … West Clare’s Greenway will “surpass anything” offered by their Waterford and Mayo equivalents, key personnel behind the planned project have stated. Customer Services. Tel(Mob): +353 87 791 9289 or Tel(Mob): +353 86 805 2614 30th June 2017. The Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company was the second last narrow gauge railway company to close in Ireland (the last was West Clare Railway company). Ireland’s most famous railway. They have an original steam engine which used to be outside Ennis station but is now in working order. Tremendous work has been put into it”. Slieve Elva Bed & Breakfast is the perfect country getaway, situated in the heart of the Burren in County Clare. We're still restricted to a 5k radius but luckely we don't need to go far to see some real beauty. It passes by some of the West of Ireland’s most dramatic mountains and offers magnificent views of Clew Bay and its many islands. During the Council’s trip, they used three businesses on the day, these included Waterford Greenway Bike Hire Company which has twelve full-time staff and 10 part-time staff, hiring out 300 bikes per day and 500 on peak days, there are an additional 12 bike hire companies on the route. Other times may be available by prior arrangement. It had 250,000 visitors in 2018 and 290,000 last year. The West Clare Railway Greenway has the potential to be a game changer for County Clare. He urged Fine Gael councillors to contact outgoing Minister of State for Jobs, Pat Breen (FG) to back the project. West Clare Extension Railway Info and lots of beautifully sharp pictures of Matthew Labine's 45mm gauge garden railway based on Irish practice. On our website you can stay up to date with all the happenings in Moyasta station. It is envisaged that the West Clare Railway Greenway will follow the 85km route of the old West Clare railway line, where feasible. Photograph: Martin Connolly. steam, nostalgia and times past. Trains needed to run in straight lines, cycleways don’t. Waterford’s Greenway is being used as the template in the development of the West Clare Greenway. ! “One of the issues can be bringing the landowner on board. Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry spoke to Willie Hanrahan, Chairperson of the Clare IFA about the Greenway. Tel: (065) 6821616. 200 bikes a day for 250 days, you’re looking at €3.75m of a turnover. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on TrailLink. He outlined that the Clare Greenway will run from “Ennis to Kilkee via Corofin and Ennistymon down along the coast to Lahinch, Miltown Malbay, Quilty, Doonbeg and then veers inland at Moyasta with the option to go to Kilkee or Kilrush”. West Clare Railway has been restored to provide a fun day out for families and school tours. with all the happenings in Moyasta station. The railway timetable for three trains each way between Ennis and Kilkee with branch line connections to Kilrush was published under the sole name of the West Clare Railway in June 1893. Email us for information on the next Steam Train running dates. We are not going out to try ram Council policy down someone’s throat”. On our website you can stay up to date A graduate of Mary Immaculate College, Páraic was previously employed by The Clare Herald and Clare FM. The importance, magnitude and impact of the birth of the West Clare Railway on the local transport system of County Clare cannot be measured. She pointed out that visitors will stay 65km away from the Greenway during peak times. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has allocated €400,000 to Clare County Council for the construction of the first phase of the West Clare Railway Greenway. Is there merit in setting up a co-op for the bike hire, the landowners have a vested interest then. As late as the 18th century, Lahinch was still a small hamlet with only a few fisherman's huts. Page last reviewed: 08/01/20 “Kilmacthomas has gone from having one to seven cafes in two years, 120 people are employed from Kilmacthomas,” Reddan stated. 2nd January 2021. This 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge railway ran from the county town of Ennis, via numerous stopping-points along the West Clare coast to two termini, at Kilrush and Kilkee, with the routes diverging at Moyasta The Greenway will enable communities from Ennis to Kilrush/Kilkee to be connected while also enhancing our tourism offering. Since the mid-1990s, efforts have been made to revitalise the route and in more recent years, the idea of a greenway for walkers, runners and cyclists has been favoured. Phase One Contract 1 will see the construction of a 3km cycle […] Your email address will not be published. Tom Tiernan On The West Clare Railway Greenway. Clare County Council has announced that works have commenced on the initial phase of the West Clare Railway Greenway project, a 42km cycling and walking route linking Ennis to Lahinch, via Corofin and Ennistymon, along the route of the dismantled West Clare Railway. “We’re going to learn from Waterford,” senior engineer Sean Lenihan told the meeting. Design by acton|web, Adults:- €15.00 Steam Train / €10.00 Diesel Train, Children:- €8.00 Steam Train / €5.00 Diesel Train. Tag: West Clare Railway Greenway. Officials leading the delivery of the project have previously outlined that the Waterford Greenway cost in the region of €450,000 per kilometre. The West Clare Railway (WCR) originally operated in County Clare, Ireland, between 1887 and 1961. The Greenway traverses Ireland’s Atlantic coast between Westport town and Achill Island and visits the picturesque villages of Newport and Mulranny (Mallaranny). Clare County Council has been awarded more than quarter of a million euro to further the West Clare Railway Greenway project. The proposed project features a 33-kilometre cycling and walking route linking Ennis to Lahinch, via Corofin and Ennistymon, along the route of the … Burst Water Main Leaves Homes Without Water In Ennis. Cllr Kelly stressed the need for a plan, “We have to live in the real world. It grew in the 19th century to over 1000 people by 1835, but it was not until later in the century that the infrastructure of the town developed and it became a seaside resort following the opening of the West Clare Railway in 1887. Email: info@westclarerailway.ie The Newmarket-on-Fergus native also writes for national papers including The Irish Examiner, The Irish Independent and The Irish Times along with doing work for RTÉ, Today FM, TheJournal.ie and The42.ie. Slieve Elva Bed & Breakfast is the perfect country getaway, situated in the heart of the Burren in County Clare. Planning permission has been granted for the development of 27 houses in Lahinch. 46km in length, visitors can cycle or walk the route which runs from Waterford City to Dungarvan and follows the old Waterford to Mallow railway line.. We recommend hiring a bicycle and starting your cycle from Dungarvan. The Waterford Greenway cost in the region of €450,000 per km. Executive engineer with Clare County Council, Gráinne Reddan gave a presentation to councillors following a recent trip to Waterford where officials, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), Cllr Roisin Garvey (GP) and Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) cycled 23km from Dungarvan to Kilmacthomas along the Greenway. Funds approved for 1st phase of West Clare Railway Greenway. 293 likes. The bikes is where it’s going to be at,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) commented. Museum Open Sundays & Bank Holidays 1pm – 4pm. He asked, “A word always follow desirable and that is attainable, between them is a very rocky road. It is estimated that up to €9m will be required for the construction of the Greenway which will from Ennis to Kilkee. Áras Contae an Chláir New Road Ennis Co. Clare V95 DXP2 Ireland. 3,394 New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Nationally; 65 In Clare. The Waterford Greenway is the longest, dedicated off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. Have we anticipated the potential difficulties”. From then on, the railway trundled on gaining new passengers as its services became better known. In August 2009, the 117-year-old Slieve Callan was returned to service on the West Clare Railway after an absence of more than half a century. Cavan Railway Greenway €175,000 Cavan County Council Options selection for the 26.km section from Ulster Canal Greenway north of Castle Saunderson and with a link to the Cavan - Leitrim Greenway at Belturbet. The site will be located at School Road, Attycristora, Lahinch and will include 16 semi-detached 3-bedroom houses, 10 semi-detached 4-bedroom houses and one detached 4-bedroom house together with all associated site development works and connections to public services. The dismantled but famed West Clare Railway line is to breathe new life. “It doesn’t benefit the people here to hear of another jobs announcement for Shannon. West Clare Greenway ‘will far surpass’ Waterford & Mayo equivalents. West Clare Railway Greenway €255,000 Clare County Council Concept and Feasibility, Project Execution Plan, Project Appraisal Director of Service, Leonard Cleary said that the Local Enterprise Office could do a feasibility study on such a scheme. “We are receiving positive feedback from landowners between Kilrush and Kilkee at the moment,” Reddan confirmed. It was a 3 foot narrow gauge railway which closed in 1961. Projects allocated funding include the Barrow Valley Greenway in Carlow, the Cavan Railway Greenway, the West Clare Railway Greenway, and the Fingal Coastal Way in … Was this page helpful? These times may be subject to change. Funding to the value of €255,000 has been set aside for the West Clare Greenway. Seán Lenihan, senior engineer, told the meeting that the development of a Greenway along the entire route of the old West Clare Railway line from Ennis as far as Kilkee “has been a long standing objective of Clare County Council”. Waterford Greenway. All other days by appointment. To tell us about ... Clare County Council. Elected members of the West Clare Municipal District were briefed on plans for the Greenway at a meeting last week. Of the recently announced €4.5m funding for Greenways by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, Lenihan remarked, “The stars are aligning where we can process funding to progress it further”. A bridge posing dangers to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists near, Calls for additional lighting along the Ballybeg Road have been, Clare councillors are leading the call for an equivalent of ‘The Gathering’, A bridge posing dangers to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists near Lees Road, Fianna Fáil councillors have encouraged local authority officials to have greater engagement, Calls for additional lighting along the Ballybeg Road have been made as, Tributes have been paid to well known book shop and theatre owner, Clare swimmers on form in Gerry Ryan Memorial, Droichead na Gabhar remains ‘an accident waiting to happen’, ‘Protect pedestrians’ with additional lighting on Ballybeg Rd – Norton, ‘We cannot tolerate Direct Provision any longer’ – Kilkee rep calls for action to prevent future comparison with Mother & Baby Homes, Equivalent to The Gathering needed to entice tourists to Clare post COVID-19, Expedite citizenship programme for healthcare workers say Clare Ógra Fianna Fáil, Municipal District borders can’t be neglected say Fianna Fáil reps, Tributes paid following passing of Kilnamona book shop, theatre and gallery owner from terminal cancer. We don’t want to interfere with anyone’s farming practice. restored to provide a fun day out The total experience of a Guided Tour of Museum and Train Trip takes 1 hour (approx, West Clare Railway. for families and school tours. One of the cyclists on the tour, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) recalled, “Everywhere we looked was the Greenway Cafe or Pub whatever, it was fantastic. For the main part it’s in private ownership. Initial landowner consultation is continuing between the section from Kilrush and Kilkee. The story has been well documented over the years, in book and song. (13) Operating as usual. We have to have our homework done, a reality check will have to be here, there and everywhere. Plans for the Waterford Greenway commenced in 2004, Reddan outlined. Lenihan responded, “It is a big ask, it’s not a simple solution if it was it would have been done years ago. Museum Open Sundays & Bank Holidays 1pm – 4pm This is just for feedback on our web site, not comments or questions about our services. Come visit us and immerse yourself in steam, nostalgia and times past. Executive engineer with Clare County Council, Gráinne Reddan gave a presentation to councillors following a recent trip to Waterford where officials, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), Cllr Roisin Garvey (GP) and Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) cycled 23km from Dungarvan to Kilmacthomas along the … The West Clare Railway Greenway Project is one of the 26 successful Greenway projects and has been allocated €255,000. West Clare Railway has been The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has allocated €400,000 to Clare County Council for the construction of the first phase of the West Clare Railway Greenway. Have we a shortlist of the potential potholes that are going to arise in making the desirable the attainable? Copyright 2009 West Clare Railways All Rights Reserved. 2nd January 2021. *Part of the proposed Greenway will be located along the West Clare Railway. 25/11/2020 . Farmers are more open now to consider the use of their land. More and more people are getting back on their bikes to explore the beautiful surroundings of County Clare and this Greenway will provide a recreational facility for everyone to enjoy.” The previously derelict building opened in 2017 and in the space of two years has gone from having twenty six seats to two hundred, their staff has also increased from five to twenty five with forty five people employed in high season. With more than 87 Santa Clara trails covering 689 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Alameda Creek Regional Trail or Alamo Canal Trail. Calling people of Clare - contact your local representatives councillors and TDs about why Clare Greenway didn't get funded!!!! West Clare Railway Greenway A funding application under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was applied for in February 2020, which if successful, will allow us to commence the planning and design phase of the project. Explore the best trails in Santa Clara, California on TrailLink. If we grab a hold of this, it will be done and done right. The Greenway may need to be diverted from this route and Clare County Council will work with local landowners to ensure that a suitable route is selected which has the least impact on farming communities. This fund and RRDF fund will bring us a little bit closer”. Clare County Council has announced that works have commenced on the Phase 1 Contract 1 of the West Clare Railway Greenway project, a 42-kilometre cycling and walking route linking Ennis to Lahinch, via Corofin and Ennistymon, along the route of the dismantled West Clare Railway. We’re not knocking private enterprise, we’re promoting it in a different way. 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