Tag Archives: Ennis

AN Bord Pleanála has overruled one of its own inspector and opened the door to a major commercial development in Ennis. The board’s inspector had recommended overturning a Clare County Council decision allowing a new Aldi store at Westpoint on the Kilrush Road; he was overruled, however, and the development has been given the go-ahead. In a report prepared following the appeal of Clare County Council’s decision to give Maom Property Ltd & Lohan Property Ltd planning permission, An Bord Pleanála Planning Inspector Adrian Ormsby warned that the development would be detrimental to Ennis town centre. “It is considered that, notwithstanding the ‘Commercial’ zoning and the ‘COM6’ zoning objective of the site for use as a ‘neighbourhood centre’, the proposed development would contribute to an excessive scale which is beyond what would be reasonably envisaged for a neighbourhood centre in this area and would be of a nature and scale that would create a counter-attraction to existing town centre services …

THE personal papers of renowned HIV/AIDS activist and former priest, Fr Bernárd Lynch have been acquired by the National Library of Ireland. Born in Ennis he was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He dedicated his service to pastoral care and human rights advocacy in the LGBTI+ community in New York and London. He came to prominence during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, when he worked directly with the communities affected by the epidemic, and he successfully campaigned for the introduction of non-discriminatory legislation in New York City. Lynch, who travelled from London to be present at the NLI’s acquisition event, said, “This year marks 40 years since the first AIDS case was diagnosed in Ireland. This anniversary is a time of reflection, allowing us to consider the effects which the epidemic had on the LGBTI+ community, and how – even still – there is a journey to travel before we arrive at a place of non-discrimination and acceptance.  I hope that …

ENNIS is crying out for a town bus and active travel infrastructure, says Clare Green Party Senator Ròisín Garvey. The Inagh-based politician is highlighting traffic congestion while calling on the County Council “to prioritise spending available for active travel funding on better, safer and more cycle lanes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings”. She said, “Even if all cars switched to electric overnight, we would still have the exact same traffic congestion issues. “The only way forward is to focus on reducing car dependency and prioritising active travel infrastructure and a town bus service. “I know from working with children and parents in all the Ennis schools over many years that the will is there to allow children walk and cycle to school, if the proper infrastructure is put in place. “Many of the roads leading into our beautiful town already have the width for such infrastructure and the Department of Transport are offering the funding. “Where there’s a will there’s a …

PLANS are underway for the delivery of a pedestrian crossing at the top of Abbey Street, with one local councillor describing the current situation as “deadly dangerous”. Councillor Pat Daly raised the issue at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he said, “It’s seriously dangerous crossing the street at this particular area of town.” He continued, “I have seen first hand people coming to cross the road and they are chancing their arm crossing over. How people have not been hurt or killed I can’t understand it. It’s a serious health and safety issue.” Paddy Tiernan, acting senior executive engineer responded to the motion, “A need for a pedestrian crossing at this location has been identified and is planned. “The pedestrian crossing is currently planned to be delivered under the Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project B. This project is programmed to commence construction in 2023.” Councillor Daly stated, “I welcome something will be done, I …

A CLOSE-KNIT group of Ennis students are once again helping to bring some festive cheer to the town while showcasing their impressive stitching skills. Ennis National School’s knitting and crafting club ‘The Crafty Crew’  have taken over the window of Insomnia Cafe in the Ennis Shopping Centre on Francis Street with a dazzling display of knitted and crocheted items. And if you look closely, you might just see some familiar characters in this year’s display which has been created with the theme of ‘ElfFest’ a rock concert for elves. The club, made up of children from third to sixth class, as well as their parents and grandparents have been working hard to complete the display which was unveiled in recent days and will remain in place until New Year’s Day. Over the past three years, Ennis National School has taken over the cafe’s window with a Christmas display and according to teacher Ciara Harding the children always look forward to seeing …

LIDL Ireland has been told by Clare County Council’s planning department that “concerns remain” over its planned €20 million development in Ennis. The supermarket giant has been asked to submit additional information to the Council, which has agreed to extend the ‘further response’ period up to and including December 15, 2022. Lidl is seeking planning permission for the development of a new store and mixed-use development at the junction of the Clare Road (R458) and Toberteascain Road. If given the go-ahead, the development will include 20 residential apartments, a café and two commercial units. According to Lidl, the development will create 30 local jobs along with 100 more during construction if granted planning permission. In September Lidl responded to an initial further information request by the Council seeking clarification on a number of items including issues with the design and massing of buildings, in particular the northern elevation onto the Toberteascain Road. A report compiled by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants …

IN the heart of Ennis, volunteers spend Saturday nights working to bring some comfort to the struggling and suicidal. At 8pm this and every Saturday evening, the Ennis Haven Hub opens, welcoming visitors and its volunteers will be answering calls and texts until 2am the next morning. The Haven Hub has only been open in the town since spring of this year, and it is the third one in the country, according to its Welfare Officer Edelle Costelloe. “There are three branches of the Haven Hub, there’s Limerick which is the headquarters, and there’s Ennis and Mitchelstown. “The founder was Leona O’Callaghan. She assists in essential policy making, she also delivers training to communities, to our volunteers, to schools and organisations on mental health, first aid and wellness,” says Edelle. The Ennis branch is in a very central area, at 51 O’Connell Street, across the road from Hillbilly’s and next to Pat McCarthy shoes. Edelle says that most Saturday nights …

ORANGE shoes were placed around a monument in Ennis as part of a national campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women. Soroptimist Ennis & District recently painted 80 pairs of shoes to acknowledge women and children who have been killed through domestic or gender violence. The shoes were placed around a monument in Ennis’ Peace Park which marks the centenary of the foundation of Soroptimist International. November 25 marked the UN International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, ending on December 10 (Human Rights Day). During this time, Soroptimists across Ireland are taking action and calling for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Eadaoin Lawlor, President of Soroptimist International Ireland, comments, “In Ireland, violence against women is a significant issue that has worsened since the pandemic. We have seen 244 women murdered since 1996 (Women’s Aid, 2022), and 87% of these women were killed by …