Ennis

This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will commence from Aras Contae an Chláir at 11am on Sunday, Ennis Town Council has announced. The centrepiece of the day’s festivities will be the annual parade, the theme of which is ‘Ennis – A Musical Town’. The parade will commence from Clare County Council’s headquarters building rather than Ennis Courthouse this year. It will proceed down New Road before crossing over the Club Bridge and passing through Abbey Street, O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street and Barrack Street. The ­parade will terminate in the Market.Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine, will lead the parade in a horse-drawn carriage, which will be followed by 50 groups representing the many aspects of life in Ennis and County Clare. This year’s parade will also feature the 40-strong St Mary’s Catholic School Marching Band from Phoenix, which is travelling to the county capital as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Ennis’ twinning relationship with the Arizona state capital.There …

WHEN former county and town manager Joe Boland retired in 1983, it was said monuments to him could be seen by looking all around Ennis. That is as true today as it was 20 years ago, those gathered at a civic reception held in his honour by Ennis Town Council were told this week.The civic reception was awarded to Mr Boland in recognition of his contribution to local government over a 40-year period, including his 23-year-term as Clare county and Ennis town manager.At the event, Mr Boland, who was joined by his wife, Catherine; daughter,  Rosita and grandson, Liam, said he felt “deeply honoured” by the occasion. The Kerry native recalled, “I came to Clare on April 1, 1960, more than a half century ago and I came to stay”.He told how he declined a Government nomination for a senior post in Brussels as Ireland entered what was then the EEC because he wanted to stay in Clare. He spoke …

THE Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board are inviting the business community to meet with the delegates from the sister city of Phoenix, Arizona during their visit to the county this week. Any businesses, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors, are welcome to attend the Business and Tourism Breakfast Forum on Friday at the Temple Gate Hotel from 8.45am to 10am.The forum will be chaired by Ronan Dillon, technical director, Microsemi Ireland Ltd. Guest speakers will include Ger Dollard, director of services and Ennis town manager; Brian O’Neill, Promote Ennis; Rita McInerney, Ennis Chamber and Phoenix City Councilman, Michael Johnson.The event is free of charge and full Irish breakfast is provided. However, places are limited so booking is required. Bookings can be made by contacting Margaret Neylon at Ennis Chamber by email to info@ennischamber.ie or calling 065 684 2988 by this Thursday.Phoenix Week 2013 will mark the 25th anniversary of twinning between the town of Ennis and the US city …

A NEW vision for the development of Ennis in the post-recession era was unveiled  this week as part of a ceremony marking the 400th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Ennis.  

THE cost of building a roundabout on the Tulla Road for residents of Oakleigh Wood, Derrymore and Cappahard has been estimated at around €250,000, with Ennis’ town manager Ger Dollard stating the council cannot spend half its roads budget on one roundabout. However, Mr Dollard said the council are working towards finding a solution to ongoing traffic issues in the area.

THE Deputy Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, will lead a delegation of almost 100 people to Ennis next week to participate in a comprehensive programme of events marking the 25th anniversary of the twinning link between the county and Arizona State capitals.

IF you are passing through Clarecastle and you spot local people strolling along with their heads up and their shoulders back and big smiles on their faces, don’t be alarmed… they are possibly practising for their debut on the catwalk.

The earliest surviving minute book of Ennis Town Commissioners, the precursor to Ennis Urban District Council and Ennis Town Council has been conserved and will be available to view next week. The minute book, dating from 1874 – 1883 has great value and significance, documenting Ennis Town Comissioners’ first meeting as an Urban Sanitary Authority, while also giving an insight into the conditions endured by the inhabitants of the town in the late 19th century.The first meeting documented in the Minute Book took place in the town hall in Ennis on October 5, 1874. Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine, who has been a member of Ennis Town Council for 40 years, welcomed the conservation of the book.He added, “The restoration of this book will prove to be a valuable resource for academics and historians both now and in years to come. It provides a detailed record of a transitional milestone in the development of Local Government in Ireland.”Commenting on …