Scariff/Tuamgraney
Scariff/Tuamgraney Location and Context Scarriff/Tuamgraney is identified as a Service Town in the settlement hierarchy of this plan with a population of 805 (CSO 2016) people. Scarriff and Tuamgraney are also identified as Linked Settlements that are physically linked by the bridge across the Scarriff River. Their complementary nature provides opportunities to expand on the range of services that they provide to their communities and the surrounding rural area. Both settlements have expanded in recent years, to the extent that the two have now almost merged however, both continue to retain their own strong identity. These settlements are located in attractive surroundings in northeast Clare, close to the shores of Lough Derg. Both are served by a good quality road network, with links to Ennis, Portumna and the midlands and also to Killaloe and Limerick City. Scarriff possesses a range of administrative, service, social and community facilities which serve to enhance the attractive traditional character of the town. There is sufficient capacity for the target population in the public waste water treatment system. Water is supplied from the Scarriff Public Water Supply fed from a groundwater source. Tuamgraney, with its monastic origins, is a historic village which has expanded considerably in a linear fashion towards Scarriff. The core of the village is marked by an attractive area of open space at the junction of the R352 (Ennis to Portumna road) and the R463 (Tuamgraney to Killaloe road). The village is one of the main employment centres in the area. The former Finsa site located at the northern end of the village, is identified as an opportunity site for employment and enterprise purposes. There are also a number of smaller businesses located in the Tuamgraney Business Park at the southern edge of the village. The village has a limited range of retail facilities, with the exception of a convenience store/filling station, with a wider retail offer in Scarriff meeting additional local needs. Within the village of Tuamgraney, there is a national school, a community college, an equestrian centre, churches, craft enterprises, GAA facilities, pubs, restaurant and visitor accommodation. Scarriff/Tuamgraney is recognised as one of the main service centres in East Clare. The opportunity exists to allow these complementary settlements to expand to improve the range of services available to residents of both settlements and to visitors to the area. This Plan proposes that significant service provision will continue to be directed towards the more established town centre of Scarriff, while Tuamgraney will be encouraged to complement this role with the provision of supporting services such as visitor accommodation, in addition to building on its tourism potential arising from its monastic heritage and attractive nature.
__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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