Kilkee has over 200 extra residents in the coastal location due to an increase in remote working.

As a result of this, an improved standard of facilities is needed in the area, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) has said. He appealed to Clare County Council to fund “much needed maintenance work” under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund to bring the existing Cliff Walk to “a safe and suitable standard,” a proposal which was seconded by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG).

Maintenance work will commence shortly, acting senior executive officer John O’Malley confirmed. It is included in the programme of works for 2021 and will be covered under the West Clare Municipal District’s budget, he advised. “The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund can be considered for other walks that are being discussed in the area in 2021”. The

Speaking at the January sitting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Murphy outlined that 200 more people were living in Kilkee due to an acceleration in remote working. He added, “The surface of the Cliff Walk is poor, we need to look at a slightly bigger picture. There is an appetite locally for an extension at both sides of the Bay of Kilkee, maybe it needs to be folded in under a wider application”.

More funding will need to be allocated to the western half of the district for the next round of the Outdoor Recreation fund. “Further opportunities,” may present themselves, Director of Service Leonard Cleary responded.