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Tag Archives: Mary Howard

Support courted for basketball facilities at Lee’s Road

AN Ennis councillor is seeking to court support for the provision of basketball facilities at Lee’s Road, John O’Sullivan Park saying it would be an “ideal location” for people to enjoy the sport. A feasibility study is to be carried out by the Ennis Municipal District to “scope out the possibility”, however the local authority have cautioned they do not have the funding to provide a basketball court at the moment. Councillor Mary Howard, speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, stated she receives requests regularly “from both young people and not so young that we provide a basketball court at Lee’s Road John O’Sullivan Park.” She urged the council to “seriously” consider the request. Tim Forde, Head of Sports & Recreation with the council, confirmed that they have also received requests for a basketball court. “Clare County Council Sports & Recreation are not in a position presently to provide a Basketball Court in Active Ennis John O’Sullivan’ …

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Councillors claim ‘it’s not all child’s play’ for Ennis families

IT isn’t child’s play for youngsters living in the Limerick Road area of Ennis with a “dearth” of family friendly facilities in the locality, a meeting of local councillors has been told. Councillor Mary Howard, speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District called for a suitable site to be identified to provide a playground or other facilities suitable for small children. The councillor told how she had been approached separately by young mothers who are not local to the town, now living along the Limerick Road. “Their husbands are working out of town and have the car with them and there is no-where for the mothers to bring their children.” She said that amenities such as Lees Road and Tim Smythe Park are too far to walk unless the weather is good. She acknowledged the “great work” of the council in setting up community playgrounds, and suggested that new playgrounds could be included under planning conditions for any …

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PJ Ryan elected as Clare’s first citizen

COUNCILLOR PJ Ryan is the new mayor of Clare, having been elected at this afternoon’s Clare County Council AGM. Corofin’s Joe Killeen was elected leas Cathaoirleach. It was Councillor Mary Howard’s last day as Mayor, and she said that being mayor had been “a great honour and a privilege”. While Covid dominated the year, she said Clare had responded well to it. “We connected and galvanised in the face of adversity.” Councillor Ryan was nominated by Councillor Michael Begley, who said they had a similar background, having left Fianna Fáil to run as independents. “We were deemed surplus to requirements in 2008 and got elected in 2009,” he quipped. He also said that himself and the new mayor had “failed the interview, but got the top job.” Councillor Begley said that the new Mayor is a hard worker, while he said he is bound to be travelling over the coming year. “I say to Mary (Councillor Ryan’s wife) get the …

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Ennis Tidy Towns and Ennis Track AC keep litter on the run

ENNIS Tidy Towns are staying on track when it comes to their efforts to keep the county capital looking good. The local voluntary organisation have once again joined forces with Ennis Track Athletic Club to encourage youngsters to think reduce, reuse, recycle. Their latest initiative aims to get plastic litter on the run by developing colourful re-usable bags for runners and track shoes. Cormac McCarthy, chairman of Ennis Tidy Towns explains, “Ennis Tidy Towns has continued their collaboration with Ennis Track in driving sustainability as part of the clubs activities. Two years ago this involved supplying the club with reusable bottles which were given to participants in their kids road race. “This year we worked with them to develop re-usable bags for dirty runners and track shoes. It was observed that lots of shoes were being place in single use plastic bags and given the dirty nature of the shoes, these bags were being disposed of. The new drawstring bags …

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Howard calls on people to nominate the everyday heroes of Covid lockdown

AN initiative from the office of the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council is looking to celebrate kindness and good deeds done by members of the public around the county during the pandemic to date. Cathaoirleach Mary Howard is inviting Clare people to nominate fellow citizens for recognition as ‘Clare Covid Heroes’ for the help and support they have provided to others during Covid-19. Councillor Howard said the idea is to provide recognition for people who have helped others, with no expectation of any reward. “This initiative is about celebrating the ‘everyday heroes’ all around us who have been quietly helping and supporting others during the past year under the various Covid-19 restrictions. “From providing practical assistance, such as ordering online shopping for older relatives and neighbours, to offering emotional support, perhaps through socially distanced visits or video and phone call check-ins, people in our communities have really been there for each other. Little gestures can mean a lot, and can …

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Women being treated as second class citizens, says Mayor of Clare

MAYOR of Clare Mary Howard has said there is an “appalling situation” in the country’s maternity hospitals, with women being left without support due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Ennis woman said that 150 are born each day, and with the mothers not allowed have fathers present except for the latter stages and for a short time after the birth, she said it is often “a really, really lonesome experience”, which can be especially difficult if the birth has been difficult. She said that the staff in the hospitals are “up to their tonsils” and can’t pick up the slack left by the absence of fathers. Councillor Howard said that she had spoken to a number of new mothers, and was told that glasses of water are filled for them at 7.30am and only refilled at 7.30m even though the woman may be unable to get anything for herself in between. Another woman had been in soiled clothes for two days, …

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“Dangerous” Ennis road sparks calls for return to two-way traffic

A HOUSE which has been derelict for decades in Ennis has been described as a “blight”, while calls have been made for a return to two-way traffic at Upper Cusack Road. Councillor Mark Nestor, speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, branded the current road system as “dangerous” with traffic not stopping at the yield sign. “This is a very, very serious matter”. Responding to the motion, Ian Chaplin, acting senior executive engineer stated, “The installation of the one way system at this location was to facilitate safe passage of pedestrians and cyclists when the Greenway route was installed a number of years ago. The width available did not allow for a two way carriageway and path. To revert to a two way carriageway within the available space would require the removal of the cycle path which would leave an unsafe situation for pedestrians and cyclists. Alternatively if land acquisition was pursued here extra width could be …

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Howard elected new council cathaoirleach

MARY Howard has been elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, with her Fine Gael colleague Councillor Pat Burke elected leas cathaoirleach. Monday afternoon saw them both elected by their council colleagues to the positions, with no other nominations for either role. The positions don’t carry real power but the cathaoirleach will be expected to represent the council at a wide variety of events, while also chairing meetings of the local authority, while the leas cathaoirleach will deputise for her over the coming year. An emotional Councillor Howard said she was hugely honoured with her election. “To represent my county and its citizens is a lifelong dream and to be here now is humbling, exhilarating and a wonderful privilege,” she told Monday’s council meeting. She acknowledged her friends and family, while she was quite emotional as she praised the role that her mother and father played in guiding her. “My late parents were firm believers in hard work as well as …

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