An Ennis actress is in good company as a nominee for one of the world’s most prestigious theatre awards. Denise Gough has been nominated in the Best Actress category for the Olivier Awards, along with Hollywood actresses Nicole Kidman and Gemma Arterton. Denise, from College Green, has been nominated for her performance in Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places and Things. Critics have been raving about her performance, describing it as “career changing”, “astonishing” and “emotionally shattering”. She has already won the Best Actress Award at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2015 for the same part and was nominated for the Best Actress Award by The Evening Standard for her “career-defining performance” as an actress whose life has spun recklessly out of control because of her addiction to drink and drugs. When she was named best actress for the Critics’ Circle Awards, she admitted almost giving up acting before she got the part with the National Theatre. Now she is the toast …

WHILE Donald Trump is planning to build a wall between American and Mexico if elected United States President this November, his “small potatoes” resort in West Clare has applied to Clare County Council to construct a €10 million “beach augmentation” coastal protection barrier, which management insist is not a wall. If planning permission is granted to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg to proceed with their 2.8km long beach augmentation plans, which would constitute the use of 200,000 tonnes of limestone, it will take eight months to complete the project. In their submission to the council, consultants warned that if planning permission is not granted, the resort may have to close. The consultants also claim that the West Clare economy would benefit to the tune of €38m, between 2017 and 2024, if permission is granted. A detailed non-technical summary, issued by resort management, states that the development will involve placing limestone rock armour in the vicinity of …

Over 2,000 homes and businesses were left without power after Storm Jake ripped through the county overnight and into early today (Wednesday). Wind gusts exceeding 110kmh and a series of severe thunderstorms affected the county as a result of Storm Jake and Kilmaley and Miltown Malbay were among the worst affected areas, with almost 1,000 properties left without electricity. ESB Networks said it expected power to be restored to all locations by this evening. Outages were also reported in Bellbharbour, Cofirin, Cratloe, Lissycasey, Kilshanny, Inagh, Quilty and Coore.

Clare County Council has today (Tuesday) issued a wind alert for the entire county for overnight and early Wednesday. Met Éireann is warning that westerly winds, veering northwest will increase to mean speeds of 65 to 75km/h with gusts of 110 to 130km/h at times overnight in exposed areas, especially in the coastal fringes, with high sea also. The council is warning members of the public in County Clare to avoid exposed coastal locations throughout Tuesday night and early on Wednesday. Meanwhile, motorists are being warned to take extra care on roads this evening and overnight as three weather warnings have been issued for a number of places in Ireland. Met Éireann has issued an Orange Weather Warning for strong winds for counties Galway, Mayo, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford, where westerly winds veering northwest are expected to reach speeds of 65 to 75km/h with gusts of 110 to 130km/h at times overnight. The rest of Ireland has also been …

A Tidy Towns Information evening will take place next Tuesday at 5.30pm in the council chamber at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis . Hosted by Clare County Council, the event will acknowledge the positive work that Tidy Towns groups are doing across the County, in a voluntary capacity, to enhance the County’s towns and villages. Speakers will include cathaoirleach James Breen; Chief Executive Tom Coughlan, Tidy Towns adjudicator Lorraine Power, Doonbeg Tidy Towns chairperson Tommy Comerford, Clarecastle Tidy Towns chairperson Christy Leyden, and Billy Flynn, ecologist and biodiversity Expert. Councillor James Breen stated, “This event provides me, in my role as Cathaoirleach of Clare, with a real opportunity to acknowledge the positive work that is taking place by these groups in all our towns and villages across the county.” He added, “By improving their local environment they are setting a great example for our young people and are fostering in them a pride of place in their local community …