Regional

WHILE Ennis is in the grip of a housing crisis, the Ennis 2040 strategy suggests a significant increase in the town’s population can be accommodated. The strategy, launched by An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, proposes high density development composed mostly of two-bedroom units, with some one- and three-bed units. Up to 1,500 apartments could be developed, the strategy posits. Annual population growth of 1.6% per annum is projected, bringing the town’s population to around 37,000 by 2040, and it identifies areas where these new residents can be accommodated. First off, it says that 30 hectares of land in the town centre can be made available for housing in the inner area of Ennis. “It is envisaged that spare land capacity identified in the inner area will be used to achieve a mix of uses, in the form of a combination of commercial and residential development,” the strategy states. “Broadly speaking, a 50-50 split might result in 30 hectares of residential development …

THE Ennis 2040 plan envisages attracting at least one large multinational employer by 2025, writes Owen Ryan. The document stresses that multinationals are a significant part of the Irish economy with the country recently reaching its highest ever number of people employed by foreign companies. According to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), some 229,057 people as of January 2019 are employed by multinationals, with 58% of those people being employed in locations outside of Dublin. It acknowledges, however that multinationals are only one part of a sustainable economic mix and must be combined with strong support indigenous enterprise and SMEs. Strong employment growth in the sector at 7% in 2018 as compared to 3% in the rest of the economy would suggest that this is a sector that should be specifically targeted. Research also shows that for every ten jobs created through foreign direct investment, eight jobs are created in the local economy in retail, service and other spin off …

AN Tánaiste Leo Varadkar had high praise for the Ennis 2040 plan, saying he wanted to stress the Government is behind it.  “It’s a really ambitious plan for Ennis, which is the largest town in Munster, Co Clare’s capital town and the public and private sector have come together to develop a really exciting plan to increase the population of the town by 1.6% a year, to secure 5,000 jobs for the town and to develop the whole concept of Ennis being a ten minute town, where everything you need or want is within a ten minute walk or cycle of where you live. “It’s really ambitious and I’m here not just to launch it but to offer Government support and endorsement. I think it’s exactly the kind of thing we want to see other county towns developing around the country. I’m really excited to see it being launched today and look forward to it being implemented.” At the moment …

MUSIC lovers are in for a rare treat on Saturday night when some of Ireland’s finest harpists will be joined by renowned guitarist Steve Cooney for a special concert in St Columbia’s Church, Ennis. The concert is entitled ‘Harping On’ and is presented by Clare Arts Office. The idea for the concert originated from John O’Connor of the legendary Custy’s music shop in Ennis and it is being organised by Pat Ryan Music Services. The concert features six of Ireland’s leading harpists, including Aisling Lyons, Elaine Hogan, Eimear Coughlan, Fionnuala Rooney, Lily O’Connor, and Paul Dooley. They will be playing new original music as well as music from the masters of the tradition. They will be joined by singer Cadhla Brock with Steve Cooney adding an extra layer of musical magic. Steve is a renowned musician and was recently announced as the Cumadóir na Bliana (Composer of the Year) at the Gradam Ceoil Awards. He has worked extensively with Irish harp music on his …

WITH a €3 million redevelopment of the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point coming, owner John Burke is looking to fill 100 positions and is also trying to offer his staff working conditions far better than what one normally sees in the sector.  While the hospitality industry has often been associated with tough working environments, modest pay and unsociable hours, Mr Burke, who famously climbed Mount Everest in 2017, says he wants to offer his workers some of the perks that are associated with certain multinational companies. “A lot of multinationals have brought certain conditions and perks to the employment scene in Ireland and maybe it’s time for the hospitality sector to start looking to them, seeing what they’re providing and wherever possible to try and introduce that.” “That’s where we’re at now, looking at the best employers that are out there, what are they doing and how can we bring that into the hospitality sector,” he said this week. In …

SUPPORTING mental wellbeing and resilience is the aim of a project which has recently scooped a major award for students at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla. Ten Transition Year (TY) pupils created an innovative mental health tool which won them an ‘Investing in Children’ Award for the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. The aptly named ‘I-Can – Mind My Mental Health’ tool was created and developed to support the well-being and resilience of young people. I-Can is a pocket-sized tin can which contains daily mindfulness and coping strategy activity cards that young people can use on their own, with family members, or in a group. It also comes with a QR code which, when scanned, links to a bank of further mindfulness resources and activities hosted on the Tusla website. I-Can stemmed from the need for an accessible tool to support young people to adapt through the various stages of Covid-19, managing their lives with a positive, resilient outlook. …

A GARDA investigation has commenced after a man was found with serious injuries in Ennis last night. At around 9pm the emergency services were summoned after the man, who is understood to be in his thirties, was found unconscious at a location on Clon Road, between the Quin Road roundabout and the junction for Toberteascáin. He was taken to hospital in Limerick and is understood to be in a serious condition. Gardai have been making enquiries in the area and anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.

The Junior A Hurling Final between Ogonnelloe and Crusheen which was down for decision this weekend has now been postponed, writes Ivan Smyth. The decision comes after the accidental death on holiday in Spain of Ogonnelloe’s Gerard McMahon, a son of Pat and Carmel. Gerard had just had just returned home from a six-month tour of duty with the 63rd Infantry Group in Syria. Speaking on the decision to postpone the game, Ogonnelloe manager Alan Maher believes the correct decision was made. “Gerard is coming home so we couldn’t go ahead with the game. His removal is on Saturday afternoon and the funeral is on Sunday so we had no choice. Hurling hasn’t been to the forefront of our minds recently for obvious reasons so we are just trying to rally around and look after the family.” Maher also thanked Crusheen for their understanding of the situation as the clubs and the county board will be working together to find …