Tag Archives: clare

ENNIS’ first ever ‘Friendship Seating Area’ will be launched next week by the Ennis Mental Health Association with hopes high that it will become a special place to for people to meet and connect with one another in the town centre. The seating spot at Abbey Street Car Park has been developed in co-operation with the Ennis Municipal District and will be officially launched on Thursday, April 7 by Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton. On the same day Ennis MHA will mark national ‘Hello, How Are You?’ Day with an information stand in O’Connell Square. As well as providing seating, the area has a specially designed plaque featuring the words of William Butler Yeats, “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” Maria Molloy, chairperson of the Ennis MHA explained that the Friendship Seating Area, located by the River Fergus has been “designed to provide an attractive and inviting space where people can sit and be …

THE latest fundraising initiative by Ennis Lions Club aims to fuel support for vulnerable local families who are facing the desperate choice between being able to pay for food or heat their homes. With homes across the country benefiting from the government’s €200 energy credit the Lions Club is urging those who do not need the payment to donate it towards supporting families in need. The local chapter has launched its aptly named PHEW (Poverty, Help, Energy, Waiver) appeal to bring relief to struggling families coping with rising fuel costs. Tommy Murphy of Ennis Lions Club explains that while many people welcome the €200 rebate and it will give short-term relief for increasing costs, a lot of families do not need the payment. The Lions Club in Ennis is supporting up to 50 families locally and sees first-hand the effect that fuel poverty is having. The group hopes that those who do not need all, or even some, of the …

THE importance of a strong voice to represent business in Ennis has been emphasised by newly elected Ennis Chamber president Colin Ryan. The Bank of Ireland branch manager was elected president at the Ennis Chamber AGM held on Monday, with Sheila Lynch, partner, Cashin Clancy Solicitors elected vice president. On election, Colin who last year served as vice president, thanked Darragh McAllister, outgoing president for his hard work and commitment. He stated, “Ennis Chamber has been fortunate to have had strong presidents during the Covid years, first Allen Flynn, owner Old Ground Hotel, followed by publican Darragh McAllister over the past year.” Outlining his focus for the year ahead, Colin said, “My mission is to build membership. Already we are back to pre-Covid numbers, and I’d like to grow membership further over the coming year.” He added, “It’s critical we have a strong voice to represent business in Ennis during these rapidly changing times and Ennis Chamber fulfils that role.” …

THE Clare economy is in a very strong position and is “providing jobs at a ferocious rate”, according to a leading county council executive. The Council’s Director of Economic Development Liam Conneally told this week’s meeting of Shannon Municipal District Councillors that many of the multinationals with bases in the county are doing particularly well. At the meeting Mr Conneally, giving an update to the members, said despite the pandemic, Foreign Direct Investment in the Mid-West had been “very considerable” between 2019 and 2021. “We are close to reaching full employment,” he added. He said that across the board, in terms of foreign direct investment, indigenous businesses and micro businesses supported by the Council, there is very considerable job creation. Mr Conneally said that sometimes the good work done by agencies of the State is overlooked, while he said the Council has been working very positively with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, while he said that the Clare Local Enterprise …

ENNIS Musical Society members old and new are coming together this April for an evening of song with A Night at the Musicals. The society will be back on April 10 in Hotel Woodstock where they will be performing numbers from musicals of all eras for all ages to enjoy. Expect songs from favourite shows such as Les Miserables, Wicked, Rent, Seussical to name but a few. The concert comes following the postponement of the society’s 2022 show Legally Blonde until next year due to Covid-19. The society were also unable to put on a show in 2021 because of the pandemic, and their 2020 production was cancelled after just two performances. Ennis Musical Society chairperson Rachael Culligan tells us they have had a “terrific response” to the plans for the upcoming concert. “We initially had planned on doing Legally Blonde but with so many members getting Covid, we just felt that we couldn’t manage that scale of rehearsals with …

LESS than a year after receiving formal approval from the Department of Rural and Community Development, the River Fergus walkway is proving one of the most popular recreational amenities in the Ennis area. In fact, the positive public reaction to the paved cycling and walking route from the Quin Road to Clareabbey has prompted a move to extend it to the Quay in Clarecastle where a trailhead development is being planned. Local Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says that proposals for a walking and cycling route linking Clarecastle to Ennis and on to the proposed West Clare Greenway have been under active consideration for several years. “The extensive engineering work on the Ennis South drainage scheme provided the opportunity to develop a walkway alongside the 1.5 kilometre length of the embankment. Because some of the groundwork and infrastructure was already in place, a high standard walkway could be delivered at a very competitive price,” Deputy Carey explained.  “Last March, Rural …

A CLARE woman who had been reported missing last weekend has been found safe and well her family have confirmed. Noelle O’Looney, 43, who had been missing since Saturday, was found on Tuesday with her family thanking members of the public for their assistance in recent days. One family member took to social media to say, “Noelle has been found. She is safe. Thanks to everyone out there for all their help and support over the last few days, it has meant a huge amount to all of us, everything has worked out ok thankfully.”

A MOVING poem written by the residents and staff of a Clare nursing home forms part of a special broadcast released online to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance and Reflection. Carrigoran House has taken part in Reflections, a video released on the Nursing Homes Ireland YouTube channel last week. Over 90 residents and staff from over 20 participating nursing homes including Carrigoran House in Newmarket-on-Fergus feature in the broadcast. Reflections, encompasses song, poetry, readings and reflections from nursing home residents and staff. The poem by the Clare residents and staff recognises the power of our community throughout the pandemic and remembers all that was lost over the last two years. It was written, “In recognition of the commitment and dedication our staff show every day, the understanding and support shown by our families throughout all restrictions and our residents’ resilience and courage in all they had faced.” The poem is accompanied by visual images of life at the …