Bringing together six trailblazing artists, Stone Drawn Circles will perform in Ennis next week. Described as an Irish new music ‘supergroup’ at their début performance at the international Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Stone Drawn Circles have embarked on their In Formation tour which includes a concert in glór on Thursday, May 9. Artist-led, the ensemble features players from groups including Eighth Blackbird, stargaze, Crash Ensemble, and Ergodos. Stone Drawn Circles are a collective of Lina Andonovska on flute, Nathan Sherman  on viola, singer Michelle O’Rourke , Alex Petcu on percussion, Caimin Gilmore on double bass and Úna Monaghan on harp and sound design. They are bringing new works by four composers who are making waves within the global new music scene: Canadian composer Nicole Lizée, Northern Irish composers Úna Monaghan and Brian Irvine, and Australian composer Cat Hope. ‘In Formation’ by Úna Monaghan investigates three things: how a musician comes to be, what we carry with us and band dynamics in a humorous way. Part concert work/ part melodrama, the fourth wall is dropped in this interactive exploration of relationships within …

THE proposed development of Ennis’ Post Office Field could result in health benefits to the county capital worth an estimated €7 million over the next 30 years an analysis undertaken on behalf of Ennis 2040 has found. Meanwhile an environmental consultant guiding the plans has insisted the planned boardwalk can bring people into the town centre habitat “while preserving its integrity” with “minimal disruption” to the site. A Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) undertaken by AECOM for the Ennis 2040 DAC assessed the impact of Active Travel Benefits of the proposed elevated boardwalk over the Post Office Field. Other findings included the project would result in €2.2m journey times savings to and from the north and south of the River Fergus over the next three decades. Public consultation on the plans is continuing with Ennis 2040 saying they are committed to a ‘Building with Nature’ approach ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices. Clare County Council, in collaboration with Ennis 2040 …

A MAN in his twenties has been killed in a road crash in South Galway after the quad bike he was driving collided with a tractor. Emergency services were called to the scene of the fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Sunday at approximately 1.15pm on the R353 in Derrybrien, Gort. The driver of the quad bike was fatally injured as a result of this collision. His body was removed from the scene to University Hospital Galway for a post-mortem examination. No other injuries were reported following this collision. The R353 (Gort to Portumna road) was closed to traffic following the incident and local diversions put in place. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the vicinity of Gort, Loughrea and Derrybrien this afternoon, between 12.15pm and 1.15pm, are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí. “Anyone …

ENNIS-based FASD Ireland, the country’s first national hub to support individuals, families and carers living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), is to be awarded €200,000 in funding. The announcement was made by Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte (FF) in the Dáil recently. Minister Rabbitte said, “Approximately €200,000 in funding will be awarded to the FASD Ireland in Clare for the national hub. I commend the work it has done in putting in place the telephone line and supporting families when there is such a deficit in Departments and the HSE in terms of taking on the mantle of providing support. I compliment the team in Clare on what it is doing. I am very supportive of it.” Welcoming the announcement, CEO of FASD Ireland, Tristan Casson-Rennie, said, “I am delighted that Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder has been discussed in detail in Dáil Éireann. FASD Ireland has some key asks of Government, importantly that FASD is recognised as a disability …

THE Limerick to Ennis railway line is set to reopen this weekend Iarnród Éireann has announced. Confirmation of the planned re-opening has come in a week when chair of North Clare Labour Denis Vaughan said the month-long closure due to flooding at Ballycar would “make Percy French rise up from his grave and write another comic song”. The line has been closed since March 18 however the flood waters have now receded, and final inspections and patrols will take place over the coming days prior to reopening on Saturday afternoon say Iarnród Éireann. The service is due to resume from 4pm this Saturday. Bus transfers will remain in operation between Limerick and Ennis in both directions until Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, the following services will operate: 18:15hrs Limerick to Galway; 19:50hrs Limerick to Galway; 20:30hrs Limerick to Ennis; 17:25hrs Ennis to Limerick; 17:50hrs Galway to Limerick; 18:45hrs Galway to Ennis; 21:10hrs Ennis to Limerick. A full service will operate from …

THE land, water and sky at Ballyalla Lake on the outskirts of Ennis provide the inspiration for the latest solo exhibition by local artist Evelyn Sorohan. Change of Climate is the title of the body of work which is on view at glór until Thursday next, April 25. “My exhibition is mixed media and it explores the climate emergency and biodiversity loss and I aim is to challenge viewers to understand why we must take stock of what we stand to lose unless we act now. If we don’t take corrective measures right now, species that are under serious threat will disappear completely,” warned the environmental artist. While recovering from illness, swimming in the natural ecosystem of Ballyalla Lake was her go to by way of therapy. The flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, swans, birds, and geese that she saw gave her a lift and she thought deeply about their status in the ecosystem. She undertook research through the National Biodiversity Data …

GARDAÍ in Ennis are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a “serious” assault in Clarecastle at the weekend. An investigation has been launched into a number of incidents that occurred in the village on the afternoon of Sunday, April 14. Shortly before 1pm, it’s reported two men entered a retail premises and assaulted two males before fleeing the scene in a car. One of the injured males, aged in his 20s, is currently being treated for serious injuries in hospital. The other injured male, a youth in his late teens, received treatment in hospital for non-life threatening injuries and has since been released. A female in her 50s was also injured during the course of this incident and is receiving hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The scene is preserved and a technical examination is being conducted. An Incident Room at Ennis Garda Station has been established and an investigation is continuing. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to …

ENNIS ratepayers are facing an “inordinate burden” due to increased valuation on properties while ongoing roadworks disrupt many businesses in the town centre the Mayor of Ennis has said. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Pat Daly (FF) commented that for many ratepayers in Ennis, “They are finding it very difficult and business is way down”. At the meeting he sought advice on “how best to postpone the inordinate burden on Ennis rate payers arising from the recent increase on valuation of properties, pending the completion of the current works taking place in the town.” However he was informed that there is no mechanism in the absence of Ministerial approval for the waiving of all or part of the annual rates in any part of County Clare for upgrade and or development works. Trina Rynne, Financial Accountant, Finance and Support Services,with Clare County Council told the meeting that in 2023 the National Revaluation programme, managed …