Ennis

ANTUN Pasalic, seminarian in Ennis Parish, who is a native of Croatia, has been ordained a Deacon in the Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul Ennis. The ordaining prelate was Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe who said, “Today is a happy day and we rejoice in great delight on this occasion of the ordination of Antun as Deacon, another great milestone on his pathway to priesthood to serve in the Diocese of Killaloe. Antun was joined by his brother and his family in the Cathedral, and by his parents, brothers, and sisters, online from their home in Croatia. His Excellency, Dr Davor Vidishe, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Ireland and Fr Yosep, chaplain to the Croatian community in Ireland also attended. The newly ordained Deacon will continue to minister in the Abbey Pastoral Area and reside in Ennis parish. Speaking during the celebration, Bishop Monahan welcomed those who had gathered in person and those joining the ceremony …

CHRISTMAS came early to the streets of Ennis when filming for a new Hallmark movie took to Abbey Street. Familiar buildings on the thoroughfare were decked out in festive flair for the filming of the movie starring Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert alongside Irish actor Stuart Townsend. Details of the movie have yet to be released but it is understood that the working title is ‘Christmas at Castle Hart’. Earlier this year West Coast Casting, who do casting calls for productions in the West of Ireland sought extras for the film shooting in various locations in Clare and Limerick. The call specifically looked for men and women aged 50 and up to take part in a ballroom scene with other roles including hotel staff, diners, villagers and pub patrons. Filming has also been done in the Old Ground Hotel while Bunratty, Dromoland and Kinvara are also said to be among the locations for the shoot. As well as the major stars, …

FUNDING allocated to Clare County Council for the transformation of parts of Ennis to facilitate permanent outdoor dining “will add to the already stellar outdoor spaces that have sprung up around the town over the past few months”. That’s according to Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe who has welcomed the allocation of €186,875 to Clare County Council under the government’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme. Francis Street, Lower Parnell Street, Abbey Street Car Park and the Temple Gate Plaza are set to benefit from the funding announced under Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme. “Businesses across Clare and the country have adapted hugely to deal with the outdoor dining necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Deputy Crowe. “It’s one of the very few positives of this pandemic that we, as a country, are now ramping up the dining options available to ourselves as citizens and also tourists. “The funding allocated to Ennis will add to the already stellar outdoor …

A DECISION on planning permission for the construction of a €1.2 billion data centre campus in Ennis has been put on hold as Clare County Council has sought further information on the development. In an extensive 11-page correspondence with developers Art Data Centres Ltd, Clare County Council have stated, “It is considered that the information submitted with this application is insufficient to enable the planning authority make a complete planning assessment of the proposal.” The authority outlines all documentation submitted with the application has been considered and assessed including the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Natura Impact Statement. “In order to complete the assessment of the direct and indirect effects on the environment of the proposed development the planning authority requires the submission of the further information,” the planning authority said. Before making a decision on the plans further details on the project have been sought by the council under a number of headings including: potential project splitting; drainage, …

PLANS for a second Aldi store in Ennis have been given the green light by Clare County Council despite opposition from local retailers. The council has granted planning permission, subject to 10 conditions, to Brian Lohan for a change of use from retail warehouse to a discount food store at the Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Road. Assessing the proposal, planners with Clare County Council determined that the existing building “has been underutilised for some time and its redevelopment at this location would be positive and enhance the vibrancy of this particular part of the town”. Aldi have already confirmed their intention to open a new store in the retail park if planning permission was granted for the change of use. According to Aldi this new outlet will create 30 new permanent jobs at the store, and up to 50 construction jobs, with the aim of opening in late 2023. A number of local businesses had voiced concern about …

A POSTMAN got “bull thick” with a garda after he found out he was getting a speeding ticket, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Garda Darren Lynch said he was operating a speed detection point at Cahercalla More, Kilrush Road, Ennis on January 14, 2021, when he stopped a vehicle driven by Gearoid Noel O’Brien (25). Garda Lynch said the vehicle was detected driving at 82 km per hour in a 60km zone The garda said Mr O’Brien told him he had been “caught here before” and that he was not going to pay any speeding ticket. Garda Lynch said Mr O’Brien then said to him, “Shove it (ticket) up your hole, you fat b*****d”. Mr O’Brien, with an address at Villa Park, Monmore, Kilrush, denied speeding and contested the summons against him. In cross examination, defence solicitor Daragh Hassett put it to Garda Lynch that it appeared that he and his client did not get on too …

ENNIS bus and rail station is being “run into the ground” a county councillor believes. Councillor Mary Howard has criticised both Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann accusing them of neglecting the station and leaving it to become a “sad and lonely place”. Her comments came in the wake of images circulating on social media showing bus times at the station written in marker which was heavily criticised online. When contacted about the timetables, Bus Éireann said that it worked to ensure the timetables were replaced as soon as possible, and confirmed there are no plans to introduce a supervisor to the station. While Iarnród Éireann has insisted that it is “committed to providing a quality service to our customers at Ennis”. Councillor Howard has called for a permanent bus inspector and station master to be installed in Ennis, fearing that there is a risk of future anti-social behaviour at the station. “If you go to any country in the world, …

Gerry Woods’ and Clare Roots Society publication brings the history of Ennis’ Old Mill Street to life “PRESERVING the history of an area gives us all a sense of place,” says Gerry Woods who, this Friday, releases a new book in conjunction with Clare Roots Society. The book, exploring the history of Old Mill Street, including Cornmarket, Considine’s Terrace and Old Cloughleigh, is a collection of articles, including on sport, poetry, maps and photographs. Unfortunately because of Covid-19 restrictions an official book launch cannot take place, however the publication will be available locally with all proceeds going to the Clare Roots Society. The contents of the publication were originally to be included in an upcoming book on Hermitage, but due to the quantity of material available on the area the decision was made to publish the history of Old Mill Street separately. Gerry says he was “very pleased” when he was approached by Larry Brennan of the Clare Roots Society …