CLARE musicians are seeing their dreams come true this St Patrick’s Day as they perform on one of the world’s most famous stages – Carnegie Hall. Cratloe siblings Seón, Mateo and Mary-Kate Ruiz as well as Ruby McKenna from Ogonnolloe are playing at the New York venue as part of a performance by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. Speaking to the Clare Champion ahead of jetting off to New York 21-year-old Seón, who plays alto saxaphone with the orchestra, told us he was “very excited” to be taking to the stage at the prestigious venue. “For us this is a real highlight, to be playing Carnegie Hall of all places in New York. From taking lessons in the Limerick School of Music to progressing to the CBOI and to now be performing internationally in New York, it’s very exciting”. His brother Mateo is 17 and plays first violin while Mary-Kate is 14 and plays double bass with the orchestra. …

GARDAÍ have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to a road crash in West Clare which claimed the life of an 83 year old nun last week. Cecilia Keating, known as Sr Claire, was laid to rest at the weekend having lost her life after a road collision last Tuesday afternoon at Bella, Kilkee. Sr Claire was originally from Lower Fierd, Cross and had been living in Castletroy, Limerick. She was a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Australia and Ireland. Making a renewed appeal for witnesses to the road collision Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks expressed appreciation on behalf of Kilrush Gardaí to those who have already come forward. She outlined, “At approximately 4pm on Tuesday last, March 7 a fatal road traffic collision occurred at Bella, Kilkee. Two vehicles collided head-on and one of the drivers a lady in her mid-80’s tragically received fatal injuries. The road was closed for a …

THE varied experiences and achievements of Traveller women will be discussed as part of a panel taking place to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 in Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed in Ennis between 10.30am and 2pm. Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare, the Clare Traveller Community Development Project and Clare Local Development Company are hosting the celebration of this important date for women across the globe. There will be music with Mary Keenan and Yvonne Ketwa, refreshments and food with people invited to bring something to share. Guest panellists include Bridget Mongans; Primary Health Care Project Clare; Mary Connors from New Ross, recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Irish Traveller Movement for her outstanding contribution and dedication to highlighting and achieving human rights of the Traveller Community; Nancy Power coordinator of the National Traveller Money and Budgeting Service which works to reduce poverty, discrimination and financial exclusion from what is considered mainstream and accessible for many in …

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a proposed €450 million data centre in Ennis, currently awaiting a decision by An Bord Pleanala, featured on an episode of acclaimed BBC series Panorama this week. On Monday BBC One aired the programme which included filming in several Irish locations relevant to the growth in data centre operations and planning applications in Ireland. The programme questioned the cost of using more data in terms of the increase in emissions and use of water in several countries including the US and Ireland. Ireland already has over 70 data centres in operation which consume more than 13% of national electricity. At least 30 more have been granted planning permission. Filming took place in Dublin as well as Ennis at the 145 acre site where Clare County Council granted permission to Art Data Centres for the development which has faced opposition. The planning decision has been appealed by local groups and residents, and a decision is due from an …

TWO Ennis soccer clubs were on the ball when it came to fundraising for the local branch of the Samaritans recently. A charity match organised by the Soccer Sisters Ennis and Fairgreen Celtic has raised more than €6,000 for the vital work of the organisation. Soccer fans cheered on both teams as they played in Ennis’ Fairgreen during the mixed women’s and men’s match on St Stephen’s Day. The match resulted in an 8 – 8 draw, with plenty of skills on display from all the players. The funds raised were recently handed over to the volunteers of the Samaritans at their Kilrush Road, Ennis branch. A spokesperson for Soccer Sisters Ennis said, “We played a 90 minute mixed men’s and women’s match where between players’ registration money, donations, and selling raffle tickets resulted in a whopping €6,096.94 raised.” The spokesperson said all involved in the match want to say “a massive thank you to all that came out on …

VOLUNTEERS who cleaned up a well known Clare landmark were shocked to discover that just hours later bags of rubbish were dumped again. Clarecastle Tidy Towns volunteers have been striving to keep Clareabbey litter free, however a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard this week that their efforts have been undermined by illegal dumping. Calls are being made by Ennis councillors for the introduction of CCTV in locations where fly-tipping and illegal dumping have become an issue. Councillor Paul Murphy praised the work of the Clarecastle volunteers, saying he believes that CCTV could act as a deterrent against dumping rubbish. The issue of littering was highlighted at the meeting by Councillor Ann Norton who pointed out that illegal dumping “is a crime” which can result in fines or being brought to court. She stressed the importance of ‘no dumping’ signs as a visible reminder and asked for a review of the number of signs on roads, and that the …

A PEDESTRIAN crossing on the Gort Road has been described as “a death trap at times” as calls were made for improved safety measures to be put in place to protect vulnerable road users. A recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard a local primary school has highlighted concerns about the crossing. According to Councillor Mary Howard there have been a number of “near misses” of vulnerable road users at the pedestrian crossing at Hogan’s Shop on the Gort Road in front of Glenina and Pine Grove estates. She asked the council, “Is it possible to upgrade this crossing to make it more visible to traffic to ensure the safety of users?” Responding to the motion Paddy Tiernan, acting senior executive engineer, stated that the Ennis Municipal District “commits to reviewing this pedestrian crossing and will investigate measures to improve the visibility of the crossing. “Branches of trees which impact the visibility of the crossing will be trimmed back. …

THE transformation of Ennis’ Abbey Street Carpark into a retail and office space is set to be the first project to be delivered under the Ennis 2040 plan it has been revealed. The proposed re-development, if given the green light, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and draw thousands of shoppers into Ennis’ town centre. A planning application for Abbey Street is to be lodged by the middle of this year, the Ennis Designated Activity Company (DAC) have confirmed. The Ennis 2040 DAC say the proposed project would result in 100 permanent jobs once complete and 200 jobs during construction, and create a town centre footfall of 20,000 shoppers a week. COO of Ennis 2040 Kevin Corrigan said that, “The Ennis 2040 team and Clare County Council are working hard to deliver on the vision of a vibrant and sustainable town centre for future generations. Ennis 2040 will be commencing extensive public consultations on the proposed town centre projects …