*Lisdoonvarna.
HEALING waters of Lisdoonvarna “is actually damaging to the roads,” the area’s local councillor quipped this week.
Beneficial effects of the mineral waters at the Spa Wells in Lisdoonvarna were first noted in 1751.
For over 200 years the waters that flow from springs in the Clare Shale in Lisdoonvarna have attracted visitors for their curative properties. The waters are rich in sulphur and iron and in 1875 the first bath-house was built. By 1895 over 20,000 visitors were coming annually. The water which flows from the springs has its origins at Slieve Elva, it flows underground through limestone passages until it reaches the Clare Shale at Lisdoonvarna.
Now such waters are adding to the workload of crews from Clare County Council to improve roads in the locality, according to one elected representative.
In a proposal to the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) asked that the repair and improvement of footpaths and public realm areas in Lisdoonvarna be prioritised.
He wanted particular attention to be placed on Sulphur Bridge junction to “improve safety and accessibility by repairing and upgrading the junction, including clearer signage and pedestrian safety around the bridge”. From Rooska Estate to the town centre footpaths, he asked for repairing and resurfacing of footpaths “to ensure safe and comfortable passage for pedestrians, addressing issues with uneven surfaces, potholes, and inadequate lighting”.
Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Tony Neville stated, “Footpath upgrades/repairs are ongoing at various locations throughout the North Clare LEA at present. Sections of the footpaths from the Rooska estate to the Wild Honey Inn and sections from Sulphur Bridge along the Kilfenora Road are included in our programme of works”.
Neville added, “Separately, working out of Clare County Council’s Planning, Economic, Rural and Community Development Department, our Town Centre First Team are leading the ‘Lisdoonvarna Square and Environs Project’, which will include Public Realm works. Consultants have been appointed and the project is progressing. Road surfacing at Sulphur Bridge is also included in our programme of works and weather permitting it will be completed by the end of the year”.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Garrihy welcomed “such a positive response”. He said, “safety and mobility around our villages is very important. Sulphur Bridge is in bad shape, the healing waters is actually damaging to the roads,” he quipped. “The Rooska estate is one of the original estates in the town, it is adjacent to a site we’re hoping to develop in the serviced site scheme”. He informed the meeting that Grafton Architects were working on drawings for the town centre and public realm “to lift” and give the town centre “a refresh”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) commented, “It is throughout the Municipal District, all our towns and villages, the historic footpaths and linkages are gone out of date now, in past few years there was funding fror IPB for footpath upgrades”. He noted, “none of the historic footpaths are wheelchair or child friendly”.
