Clare Public Participation Network

01/09/2026

County Clare has been awarded European Volunteering Capital 2027. Clare PPN is part of the steering group that won this prestigious title and we have an exciting programme of events planned for 2027 at both local and national level.

The official launch takes place at 6pm on Thursday 24th September at Treacy’s West County, Ennis V95 C9CT

The evening will include:

• The launch of the European Volunteering Capital website www.clare2027.ie
• Presentations on the journey so far.
• Volunteers and organisations sharing their stories and experiences.
• An opportunity for organisations to promote their events for 2027 and list them on the map.
• Registration for the Clare 2027 Ambassador Programme – which offers training, workshops and support for volunteers to be placed at the various events throughout 2027.
• Ways to help us to shape the European Volunteering Capital 2027 programme.
• Panel discussion – find out what training, workshops and supports are available for 2027 and how your organisation can be supported.

This is an opportunity to be part of celebrating volunteerism which is at the heart of all our communities. Come along, bring a friend, and see how you can get involved. There will be an opportunity during the evening to meet with stakeholders as well as other organisations that are actively recruiting volunteers.

Registration is necessary for the event before Friday 18th September in any of the following ways:

https://tinyurl.com/3trnvefu

WhatsApp 087 361 2119

email [email protected]

Refreshments will be provided. An Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter will also be present at the event. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Get ready to celebrate as we kick off the European Volunteering Capital 2027 in style—join us in person!

01/09/2026

September's member spotlight is Quare Clare... just in time for Clare Pride Festival.

“QuareClare is a vibrant, community-led organisation dedicated to building a welcoming, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community across County Clare and neighbouring areas. Open to individuals of all backgrounds and identities, we work hard to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and connected."

Read more here: https://clareppn.ie/members-spotlight-quareclare/

27/08/2026

There is currently an opportunity for you and your group members to comment and make submissions to the draft strategy called 'An Enabling Framework for Community Safety. The deadline for making submissions is at 5 Pm on September 11th 2026. You can read the details of how to make your own submission at the links below.

Clare PPN would also like to give you the opportunity to discuss Community Safety in Ireland and in Clare with us with a view to us making our own submission from the PPN in Clare. In order to do this we are very happy to invite you to an online meeting which will take place on Wednesday, September 2nd at 7.30 pm. Please contact [email protected] to reserve a place, and we will send on the meeting link early next week.

The draft document can be accessed here:https://clareppn.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/An_Enabling_Framework_for_Community_Safety.pdf

Queries in relation to the National Strategy for Improving Community Safety should be directed to [email protected].

25/08/2026

Water Extraction Project Information Session Killaloe, August 26th 12- 2 pm.
Apologies for the short notice! I'm just back from my summer hols. But there is a public information clinic on tomorrow in Killaloe and one in Cloughjordan regarding the plan to extract water from the Shannon otherwise known as the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands region. The Killaloe session is on from 12 - 2 pm tomorrow 26th August, in the Family Resource Centre (Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre, The Green, Killaloe, Co. Clare V94 W7X6) The organisers describe the sessions as follows:

''We encourage anyone interested in the proposed project to attend these sessions. These informal information clinics provide an opportunity to meet our dedicated Community Liaison Officer, learn more about the Water Supply Project, including the opportunities presented by this major project, the potential day-to-day impact of construction, and how stakeholders can stay informed and involved as the project progresses through the statutory consents process.'' You can find more information on their website www.water.ie/watersupplyproject or if you want to arrange a meeting with them yourself you can email [email protected]

Uisce Éireann are delivering a new source of water supply for the Eastern and Midlands region of the country.

11/08/2026

25th August 6pm online.
Clare County Council is participating in a research project, being undertaken by UCD and University of Sheffield, on behalf of the Climate Change Advisory Council.

As part of the project, the researchers are trying to understand how local authorities work with communities to promote biodiversity and climate action.
The project team is hosting an online focus group on Tuesday 25th August @ 6pm for community groups who include biodiversity and/or climate action in their work, or groups who would like to include it more. They are seeking to understand how local authorities can support communities further.

Please see the below flyer for full details.

27/07/2026

Member Group Spotlight - East Clare Community Co-op Scariff

"The East Clare Community Co-operative Society Ltd. has been at the heart of community life in Scariff for almost 40 years. Established in 1987, we are a member-owned social enterprise dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming space where people can connect, learn, create and thrive.
Our community hub is home to a wide range of activities and services. From our Community Garden, Garden Café and Second-Hand Shop to our therapy rooms, workshops, arts and cultural events, we aim to support people of all ages while promoting sustainability, wellbeing and social inclusion.
Over the years, we have developed projects that encourage lifelong learning, environmental awareness, local enterprise and community participation. We work closely with local groups, schools, volunteers and partner organisations to deliver everything from gardening and food education to music, arts, community integration initiatives and subsidised child therapy services.
As a community co-operative, local people are at the heart of everything we do. We warmly welcome new members to become shareholders, giving them an opportunity to have a voice in the future of the Co-op while supporting a community-owned organisation that exists for the benefit of everyone. Every shareholder helps strengthen our ability to grow, develop and respond to the needs of East Clare.
As we approach our 40th anniversary, we are also working towards securing permanent ownership of our home on Main Street, by the many fundraising events we have planned; ensuring this valuable community resource can continue serving East Clare for generations to come.
Whether you'd like to volunteer, attend an event, become a lifetime shareholder for as little as €10 or simply call in for a coffee, you'll always find a warm welcome at the East Clare Community Co-op. Together, we're building a stronger, more connected community for today and for future generations."

24/07/2026

We are really looking forward to celebrating Clare Disability Pride with Clare Leader Forum tomorrow in glór. All Welcome.

Registration from 10.30am
Official Opening 11am
Workshops from 11.30am - 2.30pm
Food & Music from 3pm - 4.45pm

23/07/2026

It's that time fo the year again 🥳

Our annual Clare Pride celebrations will take place from Wednesday September 16th to Sunday 20th, with the Clare Pride march happening on Saturday 19th at 12.30pm!

SAVE THE DATE AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

16/07/2026

CLIMATE CAMP IN WEST CLARE

7th-9th August: Climate Camp is coming to West Clare this year and community activists in the Banner County are invited to take part. The Camp will run for three days from 7th-9th August, with a focus this year on the Shannon Basin, connecting the struggles against US military use of Shannon airport, LNG terminals, data centre expansion, mining and water extraction from the River Shannon. Climate Camp is a self-organised event with talks, workshops, music and storytelling focused on shared learning, mutual aid, community building and resistance, including direct action. Read about the background to the Camp here:
https://climatecampireland.ie

Please register here:
https://cryptpad.fr/form/ #/2/form/view/8u-Ye5ticF3Ho-4PW9GQNm8-LC7yvTb3RuysucGFbqY/

If you’d like to get involved in organising the camp, please email Slí Eile at: [email protected]

16/07/2026

Clare Leader Forum are proud to be running Disability Pride on Saturday the 26th of July in glór

Disabled people, families, friends, allies and the wider community are warmly invited to celebrate Disability Pride Month at a free day of creativity, music and celebration on Saturday, 25 July, from 11.30am to 5.00pm at Glór and the De Valera Library, Ennis.

Organised by the Clare Leader Forum and proudly supported by Clare County Council, the event celebrates the diversity, creativity, talent and contribution of Disabled people across County Clare. It is an opportunity to come together, have fun, build connections and celebrate Disability Pride.

Throughout the day, participants can choose from four free creative workshops before everyone comes together for an afternoon of live music and celebration.

The programme includes:

De Valera Library

* 11.30am – 1.00pm: Creative Writing
* 11.30am – 1.00pm: Art
* 1.30pm – 3.00pm: Videography

Glór

* 1.30pm – 3.00pm: Singing

From 3.30pm to 5.00pm, everyone will gather in Glór to enjoy live music, share highlights from the day’s activities and celebrate Disability Pride together.

A spokesperson for the Clare Leader Forum said:

“Disability Pride is about celebrating who we are and recognising disability as part of the rich diversity of our communities. We want this to be a day filled with creativity, music, laughter and connection. Whether you join a workshop, enjoy the live music or simply come along to celebrate, you will receive a very warm welcome.”

The event is free and everyone is welcome. To help with planning, people are encouraged to register their interest by emailing [email protected].

Event Details

Disability Pride Clare

Saturday, 25 July

11.30am – 5.00pm

Glór and the De Valera Library, Ennis
Register your interest: [email protected]