Breaking News

WITH workers heading back to the office and schools fully open the Mayor of Ennis is urging people to think green and get involved with the ‘Conscious Cup Campaign’. There are six businesses in the Ennis area taking part in the initiative which encourages people to bring their own cups to cafes. Councillor Ann Norton, speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, particularly encouraged schools to get behind the scheme and help “do our bit for the environment” as well as people going back into the workplace as Covid restrictions lift. “I am encouraging people to be conscious of the environment and be aware when they are drinking not to be using a number of different cups.” She added that schools can do their bit by highlighting the effect of single use cups that aren’t recycled on the environment. She stated that a lot of work was carried out in promoting the scheme pre-Covid adding “it would …

A FORMER Minister for Justice has sidestepped questions about the appropriateness of a cold case Garda review into the death of a 23 year-old banqueting manager in 1984. Former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald appointed retired District Court judge Patrick Clyne to lead an inquiry into the Garda investigation and disciplinary inquiries that took place following the death of Patrick Nugent (23) Feenagh, Sixmilebridge at the end of a 40th wedding anniversary party in the early hours of February 11, 1984. His death was one of the 320 cases examined by the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) set up by Minister Fitzgerald, following a complaint made by the family relating to alleged Garda misconduct in June 2014. Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys visited the Lisdoonvarna Fáilte centre, which is accommodating Ukrainian refugees on Thursday. She previously took on the role of Justice Minister while the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee was out on maternity leave. Minister Humphreys was asked …

THE dedicated service of a Lough Derg RNLI volunteer over more than a decade has been recognised on his retirement. Dom Sharkey, a helm at Lough Derg RNLI has retired after twelve years service to the charity. Dom, a carpenter and master craftsman who works in building and renovation has been acknowledged as a valued member of the RNLI team at Lough Derg.   Following his final exercise on Sunday, February 27, volunteers arranged a surprise leaving party for Dom, held at Lough Derg Yacht Club on whose grounds Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat is currently stationed. Dom was presented with a woodcut of Lough Derg made by artist Henri Bocxe. As a mark of appreciation on behalf of the local community, Noreen Cavanagh, Manager at the Thatched Cottage Restaurant in Ballycommon, generously provided sandwiches for the party while members of the station also baked cakes and scones. Dom was moved by everyone’s efforts on his behalf. He reflected on how much …

A FULL 26 months after last taking to the stage, the cast and crew of Sixmilebridge Youth Club are ready to entertain and dazzle audiences once again. The club celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and they are marking the occasion by staging ‘Once Upon a Memory’, a nostalgic amalgamation featuring some of the most memorable songs, sketches and shows from the last four decades.  The show runs over three nights, kicking off next Thursday, April 21 at 7pm in Sixmilebridge GAA Hall. The other performances take place on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, also both at 7pm in the GAA hall. Having held pantomimes annually for almost two decades until its most recent performance in 2020, the youth club had also staged a variety of musical productions going back to the 1980s and 90s, winning titles at All-Ireland level in Tops of the Clubs on multiple occasions. ‘Once Upon a Memory’ aims to leave audiences wowed and …

THE resilience shown by Ukrainian refugees who have been forced to flee to North Clare was the first thing that struck Lisdoonvarna Fáilte CLG chairperson, Marie Urquhart after their arrival. “Ukrainian refugees are very happy, content and resilient. Their willingness to be involved in the community was one of the first things that struck me. They are very gracious and thankful for what is being done for them. “They are happy to muck in and help with Tidy Towns, Spring Clean and are actively looking for work. It has been challenging and humbling. I am mesmerised by their resilience and get up and go given what horrific events they have been through.” She has confirmed up to 800 Ukrainian refugees are being accommodated in three local hotels. According to the last Census the indigenous population of Lisdoonvarna was about 600, which is apart from about 200 asylum seekers who are also living in the Spa town. Asked about the logistics …

AMBITIOUS plans for an outdoor cultural activities space at a lakeside park in Mountshannon have received the green light from planners. Earlier this year, Mountshannon Community Council, who are spear-heading the project, secured a funding award of €54,860 from The Department of Rural and Community Development, to develop the facility at Aistear Park. Conditional planning permission has been granted despite two objections from residents of the town’s Main Street. Planners have asked that steps be take to allay their concerns over the impact on views of Lough Derg. After considering the application and two identical objections, which raised concerns that the open roofed structure would be “rarely used”, and could damage views and attract anti-social behaviour, planners supported the principle of the development. They described the pavilion as “modest in scale relative to the overall park area”, and said it “will not inhibit the use of the area for play and recreational activity”.  In relation to the concerns about visual …

Point-to-point fans are in for a real treat this weekend, with the annual County Clare Hunt Easter Sunday meeting at Quakerstown set to attract a huge attendance. To say there is something for everyone on offer at the scenic Boston venue would be an understatement, as a host of extra-curricular activities have been laid-on to keep all ages entertained. Trade stands, a dog show, artisan food stalls, pony rides, most appropriately dressed person competition, a pony race and a hound display are just some of the attractions on offer on what is guaranteed a fun day out for all the family. An official launch of Sunday’s meeting took place at Hotel Woodstock in Ennis last Friday night where the guests included top jockeys Eoin Mahon and Derek O’Connor. A presentation was also made to jockey Mark McDonagh to mark his recent run of success that included his first Cheltenham Festival victory. The Co Clare Hunt will also be supporting the …

RESIDENTS living in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis are calling for action to address an increasing amount of traffic and speeding in the locality. Their concerns were highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Mark Nestor sought the replacement of an existing speed ramp and for the erection of additional ‘slow down’ and ‘children at play’ road signage at Gordon Drive. The councillor outlined that a number of residents have made representations highlighting their worries about the amount of cars speeding on the road. He also pointed out that the popular astro-turf facility on the road is resulting in even more traffic coming into the area. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, told the meeting the Ennis Municipal District will carry out a road safety assessment in Gordan Drive giving consideration to all signage, speed ramps and line marking. “Any necessary repairs will be included in this years SMDW,” he added. Councillor Nestor welcomed the response …