Community urges officials to restore iconic tourist sign

THE Ballyvaughan community yesterday urged Clare County Council “to be done with it” and restore the iconic Ballyvaughan tourist sign.

Tue, 26 Jul, 2011 - 01:00

Gordon Deegan

Ballyvaughan Community Development Group chairperson Mary Hawkes repeated the call on the local authority to restore the sign after yet another inconclusive council meeting yesterday on the issue.

Earlier this year, contractors for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and local council staff stripped the sign of unauthorised signs, sparking a local outcry.

The signpost, with more than 20 signs attached, has been used by Tourism Ireland in marketing Ireland to tourists overseas.

The matter was the subject of heated debate at the council’s full July meeting before it was referred to yesterday’s North Clare local area meeting.

The meeting lasted 25 minutes, behind closed doors, before acting director of services, Nora Kaye read a statement to the press: “The North Clare councillors have requested Clare County Council to engage with the Ballyvaughan Development Company with regard to the location of the iconic sign.”

Ms Hawkes said the statement was “disappointing”.