Adapting to online market key to survival of Western Herd
*Maeve Sheridan of Western Herd Brewing. TEN YEARS ON from its foundation, Western Herd Brewing Company continues to serve as an example to all small businesses in Clare.
Tuamgraney based Wilde Irish Chocolates looking to become more streamlined
*Patricia Farrell. FOR more than a quarter of a century, Wilde Irish Chocolates has been crafting delicious, hand-made confectionary in Tuamgraney.
Cultural change & lack of young customers a big factor in closure of rural Clare pubs – O’Brien
*Pat O’Brien. Photograph: John Mangan CULTURAL CHANGE and a lack of young customers are the biggest challenges facing Clare publicans according to the former owner of The Blacksticks Pub, Pat O’Brien.
‘You wouldn’t be able to make a living as a publican with a young family today’ – Keane
*Publican Michael Keane. Photograph: John Sheridan. ON a windswept stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way lies Keane’s Oyster Bar, ran by owner Michael Keane since 1980 although the pub has been serving customers for much longer than that.
Connolly development for community building gets green light
CONNOLLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT have been granted planning for a much needed community building in the village.
Kilmaley’s Liam left for Australia in 2012 and now runs successful Perth-based machinery & contracting business
LIAM O’Connor is part of the over 100,000 Irish people who now call Australia home.
‘We’ve already missed a generation & if we miss another I don’t know how food will be produced’
*Caroline Lynch’s farm in Bridgetown. YOUNG people must be given an incentive if farming in rural Ireland is to continue says IFA and family and social affairs committee member Caroline Lynch.
Over 1,100 acres of forestry in Clare & Galway on the market for more than €5m
*Project West Forestry covers nine sites. MORE than 1100 acres of forestry across Clare and Galway have gone up for sale for €5 million.
Planning refused for 38 homes in Sixmilebridge
*Photograph: Joe Buckley PLANNING permission for a 38 house development in Sixmilebridge has been refused by Clare County Council over zoning and ecological concerns.
Plans lodged for Ennis’ largest single-housing development
*Artist’s impression from Golf Links of the proposed development. PLANS for Ennis’ largest single housing development have been lodged within the past week.