Shannon Town Council Origins

• Shannon Alliance
• Shannon Town Boundaries
• Shannon Town Status
• Appointment of Town Clerk
• Location

Shannon Alliance

In the early days of Shannon, prior to the town being given statutory town status, a group called Shannon Alliance represented the residents of the town in various negotiations with Shannon Development Co. and Clare County Council. This Alliance group was made up of two representatives of each of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin nominated by their respective political parties.

Statutory Town Commission Status

Encouraged by this Alliance, twenty six householders who were local government electors in the town of Shannon signed an application to the then Minister for the Environment, Ray Bourke, T.D. to have Statutory Town Commission Status granted to Shannon. This application was made on December 19th 1980.

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Shannon Town Boundaries

Following this application the Clare County Manager, Mr. Joe Boland, convened a public meeting of the electorate of Shannon on April 10th 1981. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the implications of Shannon being granted town status and to outline the proposed boundaries of the town. The boundaries excluded the Airport, the Industrial Estate and Smithstown Industrial Service Area. Following numerous and protracted negotiations with Mr. Boland the Smithstown Industrial Service Area was included within the proposed Shannon Town boundaries.

Having regard to these boundaries a poll for the consent of the electorate of Shannon to have town status conferred on the town was held on October 21st 1981. The majority favoured the application.

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Shannon Town Status

On November 19th 1981 the then Minister for the Environment, Mr. Peter Barry signed the order giving Shannon Town Status to come into effect on January 1st 1982.

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Appointment of Town Clerk

Following advertisements and interviews Shannon's first Town Clerk, Tomas Mac Cormaic was appointed on March 4th 1982.

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Location

The offices and Council Chamber of the Shannon Town Council are now located in the Shannon Town Hall, Gort Road, Shannon. This premises was purchased in 1989. Clare County Council share the use of the Town Hall with the Town Council.