*The late Sean Clancy.
Upgrading the road which was formerly home to the country’s oldest surviving War of Independence veteran has been requested.
An appeal for Clare County Council to upgrade, strengthen and resurface Earl Hill in Clonlara was issued by Cllr John Crowe (FG) at a recent sitting of the Shannon Municipal District. “It is in a bad state of repair,” he flagged.
Tom Mellett, senior executive engineer said the road would be assessed “as part of the preparation process” for next year’s roads programme.
“Part of this road is in the Killaloe Municipal District, we might be able to touch base with them,” Crowe said as he suggested ways to progress the improvements. “It would make sense to get a joined-up programme to cover the full length of the area,” Cllr Michael Begley (IND) commented in seconding the request.
Lieut Col Seán Clancy who at the time of his death aged 105 in 2006 was the oldest surviving War of Independence veteran. He served alongside Michael Collins and was a commanding officer of the Fifth Infantry Battalion. He was born in Earl Hill, Clonlara, and became involved with the East Clare Brigade in 1918 before moving to Dublin and joining the Volunteers a year later.
He fought against British forces in the Dublin Brigade of the Volunteers from 1919 to 1921 and was at Dublin Castle with Michael Collins when Britain handed over power to the new Irish Government.
