Tag Archives: river fergus

Late loved ones to be remembered with event that will benefit the soon to open Haven Hub Clare THE River Fergus will be lit with hundreds of lights next week as a symbol of hope for those who have lost loved ones. On Friday, October 8, at dusk, Ennis will ‘Light the Night’ with lanterns floating down the river through the town. Each light will represent the memory of someone who has passed away. Organiser Tina Whelan hopes this action will bring some comfort to those who are grieving a loss, while also helping to support a new after hours peer support and suicide prevention centre opening shortly in Ennis. Funds raised from the event will go towards the Haven Hub Clare which will open its doors this October in the Clonroad Business Park. The centre will be a sister hub of The Haven Hub Limerick, which was founded by Leona O’ Callaghan. Tina explained that the new Clare service …

BRAVE members of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club will be taking on the cold winter waters of the River Fergus for their annual ‘Fin Swim’ this St Stephen’s Day. The event raises funds for the club and supports its search and recovery activities. The swim will be passing over the falls at the Mill Road and under five bridges, and the club are encouraging people to get out and show their support for the swimmers. Paddy Egan of the club explained, “Each Christmas, divers from the club take to the cold, dark and sometimes frozen waters of the River Fergus in their annual Fin Swim event. “Aside from the help it provides to the club finances, the swim also showcases the club to the town of Ennis, many of whom line the bridges of the town to cheer us along, as we swim through the centre of the town. More than one person found their way to the club, as …

A MAN brought to hospital after a dramatic rescue from the River Fergus yesterday remains in a critical condition at University Hospital, Limerick. Emergency services were called to the scene at 11.25am after a man entered the water at the Maid of Eireann, near the Mill Road. Clare County Fire and Rescue Services were mobilised to respond to the river rescue. Three units of Ennis Fire Brigade attended the scene with An Garda Síochána and the national ambulance service. The Fire Brigade’s Swiftwater Rescue Team effected the rescue of the individual with one member entering the water, and the remainder of the team putting backup safety procedures in place. Once out of the water, fire service personnel assisted the national ambulance service in providing emergency medical care.

A man in his 60’s has been rescued from the River Fergus. Gardaí were alerted around 9.30 last night after a man got into difficulty close to the bridge on the N85 ring-road near Clareabbey in Clarecastle.. Three units of the Ennis Fire Service, including a specialist Swift Water Rescue Team, were sent to the scene, while the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard was also alerted, but was later stood down. Members of An Garda Síochána located the man beneath the bridge and attempted to reach him by wading into the water before fire service personnel brought him to safety. The man was transferred into the care of the ambulance service.

OPPORTUNITY knocks for Ennis, with 19 potential development sites identified in the Draft Ennis and Environs Local Area Plan 2015-2021. The draft plan, revealed by Clare County Council this week, comes 65 years after the first town plan for Munster’s largest town was prepared by renowned architect and town planner, Frank Gibney. The draft contains rejuvenation, development and expansion proposals for Ennis and identifies 19 key opportunity sites to reverse decline, provide new shops and services for residents and create employment. Among the opportunity sites identified are the Garraunakilla covered market – due to be completed at the end of this year or early in 2016; the development of the former Boys National School on the Kilrush Road, where retail development of 3,000 square metres is envisaged; pedestrian-friendly areas, to include Barrack Street Square, old Barrack Street and a rejuvenation of a pedestrian-friendly O’Connell Monument area. The draft plan sees the old Analogue building and adjoining infill site presenting an …

MINISTER for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin was in Doolin on Tuesday to visit the location of the proposed €6m pier project. His visit coincided with the signing by Clare County Council of a contract with L&M Keating, the successful tenderer for the construction of the new pier. Construction work will begin in the coming days and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins, said, “The project has been long sought after by ferry operators, fishermen and tourists,who use the pier. The completed pier will be used mainly to facilitate ferry activity between North Clare and the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher during the tourist season, while the existing pier will be available to accommodate other activities – both leisure based and otherwise. The new pier will ensure that Doolin is accessible in all tidal conditions, which will be of particular benefit to Doolin Search and Rescue as well …

ENNIS Town Council is closely monitoring river levels in the town and has implemented a number of flood prevention measures on a precautionary basis. The council is also advising residents and business owners in flood prone areas of the town to familiarise themselves with actions that can be undertaken immediately prior to a flooding event to reduce the risk to life and property. Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in above average water levels along the River Fergus. With further heavy rainfall forecast over the Christmas period, the council says it will continue to monitor water levels on a continuous basis.

THE discovery of iron fittings attached to old sluice gates in Ennis dating back to the mid-1800s has been described as significant find in the industrial heritage of the county town. That’s the view of Clare County architectural conservation officer and archaeologist, Risteard UaCróinín after archaelogists from Limerick-based ÆGIS Archaeology Limited found a large volume of iron cogs, ratchets, bolts and other iron fitting totalling about a ton, which came from old sluice gates, near the Fish Pass on the Mill Road. These ironworks are now in the possession of Ennis Town Council and may be exhibited at a future date. Consulant archaeologist Frank Coyne, who was part of the team monitoring flood-relief works in the town since last March, agrees this find is very important in assessing the industrial heritage of the town. “They were part of the sluice gates controlling the River Fergus dating to the mid-1800s. The sluice gates rotted and they fell into the river. The …