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 …

THE highest honour an adult can receive in scouting in Ireland has been presented to Clare’s Fiona Staunton. Fiona, who has been involved in scouting for over 40 years, has received the Order of Cú Chulainn award in recognition of her dedication to scouting in Ennis over the decades. She was nominated by the 1st and 4th Clare Scouts, whose citation outlined Fiona’s life in scouting from beginning in 1982 with then Scoutmaster Bernie Dilger through the many roles she has undertaken. “It’s very hard to measure, nearly impossible, the impact Fiona has had on scouting in Ennis Scout Group, in Clare Scout County and at national level,” it stated. “Fiona has been a guiding light and steady hand when needed through good times and bad.” She has been group leader, chairperson of the group committee, served two terms as County Commissioner and was instrumental in setting up the Clare County campsite in Ruan. She taught several teams for the …

AN Ennis family’s home is set to make things merry and bright this festive season – and all in the name of a very worthy cause. For the seventh year in a row the home of Gerry and Carmel Keane in Ashfield Park has been donned from top to toe with a dazzling array of Christmas lights to raise money for charity. Over the years the Keane family’s stunning festive displays have raised funds for a variety of organisations, with people who visit encouraged to leave a donation in a secure box outside of the home on the Gort Road. This year the family have chosen the Samaritans as their chosen charity with all funds raised going to the worthy cause. The Christmas lights will be officially lit this Friday at 6pm with Gerry telling us he is really looking forward helping to bring some festive cheer. He reveals that the energy crisis and rising electricity costs meant that this …

THE Kilfenora Dramatic Society return to the stage this week performing in the acclaimed comedy ‘It’s the Real McCoy’. The players are looking forward to getting back on stage in Kilfenora Hall following a break due to Covid and they will be performing shows on December 2, 3 and 4 at 8pm. The phenomenally successful play was written by Tommy Marren, a playwright and radio broadcaster from County Mayo. The action takes place over two days in the spring of 1964 in the humble abode of Madge Molloy – a woman in her mid-60s who has for 40 years wondered why her husband Tom, to whom she was married for just four months, disappeared without trace or reason. The cast of this production comprises John Howard, Paul Carkill, Willie Cahir, Mary Buckley, Lisa Carkill, Caroline O’Dea and Eileen Hegarty; the stage crew is Mary McCormack, Michael O’Loughlin, and Pat and John Lynch under the direction of Fr Ned Crosby. A …

PREPARATIONS are now fully underway for homelessness campaigner Josie O’Brien’s last year cooking Christmas dinner for vulnerable people in the county. Josie is busily getting ready to cook her final batch of festive meals, and she is urging the county’s homeless as well as others in need of a hot meal at Christmas time to get in touch with her on 087 1868530. She has also revealed that the work she began is set to continue with Fiona Faulkes and Dean Billet taking over supplying food to the homeless and others. Josie described the pair as “very passionate” as she wished them well in the endeavour. Earlier this year The Clare Champion highlighted a fundraising campaign by Fiona to develop shower facilities for the homeless. Donations can still be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/uusbyp-mobile-shower-for-the-homeless Josie is stepping back from her volunteering work after 18 years assisting the homeless as well as struggling families and others. Over the years Josie has invited people …

ENNIS fitness fans have been exercising their generosity as part of efforts to help local families in need while spreading some early Christmas cheer. Ken O’Malley, founder of Ozone Health and Fitness, has along been busy this festive period not only keeping his clients fit and healthy in the current climate but extending that help to the wider community.  Throughout the month of November and right up to Christmas they have organised a Christmas Food donation drive which will provide help to families in need in the locality. “For the third year in a row, we have teamed up with local community volunteers, headed up by Kathleen Austin, who organises the logistics around these donations actually arriving to those who need them most,” said Ken. “Essentially, we have a food drop off point here in reception in Ozone, in the Quin Road Business Park, where our clients and anyone in the community can drop off non-perishable food stuffs and essential …

MACDARA Ó Conaola is a man with a vision. Recently appointed  Language Planning Officer for Ennis he believes the county capital has the potential to become a bilingual town within the next decade. He feels Ennis and Clare has the capacity to become a “beacon” to the rest of the country in changing how people view Irish, a language which, he laments, is currently “hanging by a thread”. Speaking to The Clare Champion recently MacDara talks about, amongst other topics, his work in Ennis, infectious passion for the Irish language, involvement with the hit movie The Banshees of Inisherin and love of music. Growing up on Inis Oírr completely bilingually MacDara says he was “very fortunate” in his upbringing. However he acknowledges, that for others, there can be a “negative attitude” towards Irish. This is something he wants to counteract, urging people to embrace the language in whatever little way they can and encouraging younger generations to engage. He tells …

A NEW appeal has been launched seeking Clare properties to house people who have fled the war in Ukraine. Clare County Council is urging those who have unoccupied properties to offer them as temporary homes. The call is part of a new government initiative, led by local authorities, to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to house Ukrainian people and families. A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties used to house those arriving from Ukraine. This payment rate applies from December 1, 2022. More than 60,000 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine seeking safety and the vast majority need accommodation. Under a new programme, Clare County Council will take offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suitability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting Clare County Council via email at: offerahome@clarecoco.ie. …