ENNIS’ first ever ‘Friendship Seating Area’ will be launched next week by the Ennis Mental Health Association with hopes high that it will become a special place to for people to meet and connect with one another in the town centre. The seating spot at Abbey Street Car Park has been developed in co-operation with the Ennis Municipal District and will be officially launched on Thursday, April 7 by Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton. On the same day Ennis MHA will mark national ‘Hello, How Are You?’ Day with an information stand in O’Connell Square. As well as providing seating, the area has a specially designed plaque featuring the words of William Butler Yeats, “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” Maria Molloy, chairperson of the Ennis MHA explained that the Friendship Seating Area, located by the River Fergus has been “designed to provide an attractive and inviting space where people can sit and be …

TAKING part in a national competition has added up to success for one Ennis school student. St Flannan’s College first year student Jack McAuliffe achieved top marks in the recent Irish Mathematics Teachers’ Association (IMTA) Junior Maths Quiz. As well as being named a national winner, he also scooped a Prim-Ed Maths Box valued at €225 for the school.  Peter Sexton, maths teacher, commented, “The Maths Department in St Flannan’s are delighted for Jack on winning first prize in the Irish Maths Teachers Association Junior Maths Competition.” The Junior Mathematics Competition, held annually for first year students, was developed and organised by Michael Moynihan  and has been running since 1994. It consists of multiple choice brain teasers answered within a 40 minute period. Since 2021 the competition has been run online and available in both English and as Gaeilge.

A PLANNING decision on a proposed €20 million development by Lidl Ireland in Ennis has been put on hold with further information being sought from the developers. Clare County Council raised a number of concerns about the proposed development including its potential “adverse impact” on the town centre. The further information request means the decision process will be paused until a response is received within six months. 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, which, if given the go-ahead, will include 20 residential apartments, a café and two commercial units. According to the discount supermarket giant if given the green light the development will create 30 local jobs along with 100 more during construction. In the further information request the planning authority acknowledged that the proposal is largely in response to the zoning objectives of the site. It stated however, “Having regard …

THE latest fundraising initiative by Ennis Lions Club aims to fuel support for vulnerable local families who are facing the desperate choice between being able to pay for food or heat their homes. With homes across the country benefiting from the government’s €200 energy credit the Lions Club is urging those who do not need the payment to donate it towards supporting families in need. The local chapter has launched its aptly named PHEW (Poverty, Help, Energy, Waiver) appeal to bring relief to struggling families coping with rising fuel costs. Tommy Murphy of Ennis Lions Club explains that while many people welcome the €200 rebate and it will give short-term relief for increasing costs, a lot of families do not need the payment. The Lions Club in Ennis is supporting up to 50 families locally and sees first-hand the effect that fuel poverty is having. The group hopes that those who do not need all, or even some, of the …

TEENAGERS are taking over the town of Ennis this Sunday for Discover Ennis Heritage Day. The free event this Sunday, April 3, has been organised by the Transition Year students of St Flannan’s College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in collaboration with Experience Ennis and Shannon Heritage. From 1pm to 5pm the town locals and visitors to the town will have the opportunity to experience an afternoon jam-packed with activities and live entertainment. Heritage activities will include historical reconstructions of spinning wool, churning butter, iron-age weaponry and strawcrafts. There will also be plenty of live entertainment including trad music, Irish dancing, face painting, and lots lots more.  Free student-led walking tours will leave the Chapel Lane Market Building on the hour from 1pm to 4pm. At 4pm in the Chapel Lane Market Building there will be story-telling for adults and children (over seven years of age) by the world-renowned seanchaí, Eddie Lenihan. This collaboration between the Transition Year students of St Flannan’s College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir is …

LOCAL people will be among those showcasing their talents alongside the Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre when the company brings their brand new show to Ennis next week. Fidget Feet are bringing their new show “HOUSE” to Clare Marts, Quin Road on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10. Ahead of the show, Fidget Feet put a call out to the people of Clare through to join them in this collaborative community spectacle with circus, theatre and drive-in bingo. “HOUSE Open Days” is a community project that integrates local communities into the show itself and will see community part-takers dance alongside 20 experienced and talented Fidget Feet dancers in the show. According to the company this project brings people together both young and old with an integral focus on the arts, wellbeing, mental and physical health. The show is a sequel to their hugely successful show Bingo Wings and brings its bingo fever to the 1980s Royal Broadway Parish Bingo, …

THE importance of a strong voice to represent business in Ennis has been emphasised by newly elected Ennis Chamber president Colin Ryan. The Bank of Ireland branch manager was elected president at the Ennis Chamber AGM held on Monday, with Sheila Lynch, partner, Cashin Clancy Solicitors elected vice president. On election, Colin who last year served as vice president, thanked Darragh McAllister, outgoing president for his hard work and commitment. He stated, “Ennis Chamber has been fortunate to have had strong presidents during the Covid years, first Allen Flynn, owner Old Ground Hotel, followed by publican Darragh McAllister over the past year.” Outlining his focus for the year ahead, Colin said, “My mission is to build membership. Already we are back to pre-Covid numbers, and I’d like to grow membership further over the coming year.” He added, “It’s critical we have a strong voice to represent business in Ennis during these rapidly changing times and Ennis Chamber fulfils that role.” …

ENNIS Musical Society members old and new are coming together this April for an evening of song with A Night at the Musicals. The society will be back on April 10 in Hotel Woodstock where they will be performing numbers from musicals of all eras for all ages to enjoy. Expect songs from favourite shows such as Les Miserables, Wicked, Rent, Seussical to name but a few. The concert comes following the postponement of the society’s 2022 show Legally Blonde until next year due to Covid-19. The society were also unable to put on a show in 2021 because of the pandemic, and their 2020 production was cancelled after just two performances. Ennis Musical Society chairperson Rachael Culligan tells us they have had a “terrific response” to the plans for the upcoming concert. “We initially had planned on doing Legally Blonde but with so many members getting Covid, we just felt that we couldn’t manage that scale of rehearsals with …