Book to record history of Ennis’ local government

PLANS are underway for the creation of a book documenting the history of local government in Ennis. A tendering process for expressions of interest is shortly to be put in place by Ennis Town Council.

 

The potential for the book was discussed at a recent meeting of Ennis Town Council. According to Leonard Cleary, town clerk, “There are many fine publications on various aspects of the history of Ennis by numerous authors.

“These include works such as the Corporation Book of Ennis by an tUasal Brian Ó Dálaigh, which recounts how a provincial corporation dominated by a Protestant elite functioned in an overwhelmingly Catholic town in the 18th century.

“This book covers up to the year 1810. It may be possible to present a new book in the context of the wider history of Ennis town covering the period before the 18th century and the period after 1810 to present times.”

He added the overall objective of the project is to produce a “memorable account of Ennis town for future readers with a particular emphasis on local government”.

The successful tenderer for the project will need to have a proven track record in publications and will write and oversee every aspect of the publication on behalf of the town council.

It is hoped the book will be ready for publication late this year, although the deadline for publication will be March 2014.

“2013 is the Year of the Gathering and the 400th anniversary of the Ennis Town Charter. The current council term concludes in June 2014, with Government proposals imminent in relation to the abolition of town councils. Therefore, the deadline for the publication of the book is March 2014 but preferably during the first half of the final year of the current council term, June to December 2013.”

The book will cover the history of the town from its beginnings to 2014, with the council stating it will need to incorporate how the town was governed by the O’Briens, the Corporation of Ennis, the Ennis Grand Jury, the Clare Grand Jury, the Ennis Town Commissioners, the Ennis Urban District County and Ennis Town Council.

Mr Cleary added, “There is a need for the book to augment the information detailed in the Historic Town Signage and its accompanying leaflet, maps and phone app. Also, to present some insight into the town’s links with famous national/international persons and a sample of local characters of the town.

“The book will also explain the term municipality and detail how local government operated in the past, providing the reader with the opportunity to envision how the town will be governed in the future.”