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THE easing of pedestrianisation in Ennis’ town centre has been labelled as a “mess” with calls for an alert system to be put in place to warn people when traffic is about to be let back on the streets. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed by the Ennis Municipal District that the public is to be asked its views on pedestrianisation next month. A survey to “capture the public’s mindset” on car-free streets is set to be launched by the local authority in mid October. Full details have to be finalised but it is anticipated that the public consultation process will be open for up to two weeks. Since August 30 restrictions on traffic in Ennis town centre have been lifted except for Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm and Lower Parnell Street where the current road closure applies until the end of September. Councillor Mary Howard insists this has led to …

THE National Library of Ireland has acquired the Papers of renowned Clare author, Edna O’Brien, covering the period 2009 to 2021. These will now be added to a collection of her papers for the period 2000-2009 that are already held by the National Library of Ireland. The archive comprises literary and personal papers, including notebooks, drafts and revisions, and correspondence with other well-known literary figures. A native of Tuamgraney, Edna O’Brien was born iin 1930. Her first book, The Country Girls, published in 1960, was banned in Ireland for its frank portrayal of female sexuality. Today, her work enjoys enduring popularity and critical success, with O’Brien renowned for her skill as a novelist and the centring of women’s experiences in her work. She received the prestigious French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in May 2021. Other writers who have received this accolade include TS Eliot, Ray Bradbury and Seamus Heaney. Her recent novels, including Girl, published in 2019, are …

A DECISION is due in the coming days on a proposal for 14 two-storey houses at Dun Aras Avenue. Ballycasey Property Developments Ltd has put the application before Clare County Council, which has received a number of objections. One objector stated it would be disastrous for the area and scoffed at the notion locals would monitor potential anti-social behaviour on behalf of the developer. “It would become a guaranteed hotspot for anti-social behaviour,” the objector noted. “Already in that very location, the Gardai have been called on a number of occasions. The developer wants the residents to monitor the area for anti-social behaviour that he will have created? That is nothing short of ludicrous.” Acting for the Dun Aras Residents group, planning consultant Andrew Hersey outlined a number of concerns regarding what is proposed. “My clients in particular have concerns regarding the proposed entrance arrangements to the estate which is located directly opposite No 3 and 4 Dun Aras Avenue. …

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a few good plays online for free as The Kilkee Playwright Festival continues this Friday, September 10. For under 16 year olds and adults Crystal Vardo by Suzanna King will be streamed at 3pm and 8pm. Don’t miss your chance to join Crystal as she travels through time in her vardo on an extraordinary journey through Romani history. Brimming with a wealth of colourful characters, humour, music and storytelling, Crystal’s Vardo brings to life the rich tapestry of Gypsy Roma Traveller history and culture. One audience member has described it as “cracking good theatre. It remains entertaining while also raising awareness about the racism and injustice faced by Gypsies and Travellers today” On Saturday, September 11, at 3pm and 8pm brings the much applauded Sacrificial Wind by Lorna Shaughnessy (published poet with Salmon publishers ( Ireland ) and NUI Galway lecturer). Sacrificial Wind is a poetic examination of the characters around the story of …

THE artist at the centre of the latest controversy about the painting of a Púca – half-man, half-horse – on a new mural in Ennistymon believes public consultation isn’t necessary. Plans by Clare County Council to erect a two-metre sculpture of a Púca on Lower Church Hill, Ennistymon, were put on hold earlier this year following significant local opposition, which included an online petition. Even though this statue also attracted significant support, a lot of opponents expressed concern about the lack of public consultation around the project. The placing of a Púca image on a new mural on the side of Unglert’s Bakery just a short distance from Blake’s Corner in the centre of Ennistymon has reignited public debate about this controversial image. However, Jonny O’Gorman, who hopes to fully complete the mural before Culture Night on September 21, believes public consultation is not necessary for a piece of art on private property. Living directly opposite Unglert’s Bakery, Jonny has …

Yeshua O’Brien-Bayer raises €1,215 for Irish Guide Dogs with Carrauntoohil climb A KILLAlOE teenager has completed a “nerve wracking” charity challenge by climbing Ireland’s highest mountain blindfolded. Not content with going up and down Carrauntoohil eight times in seven days in August 2020, Yeshuah O’Brien-Bayer (15) climbed to the top without the benefit of his eyes on Saturday. Standing at 1,039m, Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland and is set among the Macgillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry. On Friday morning, Yeshuah left for Carrauntohil with a support group to prepare for the climb, which started at 8.35am from Cronin’s Yard the following day. They included his father, Hergen Bayer, uncle Emmanuel Bayer, Dominik Maslanek, Shane Oakley, Scott Chatterson and Camden Chatterson. To add to the sense of occasion, John Cronin from Cronin’s Yard put the blindfold on Yeshuah. It took Yeshuah four hours and twenty minutes to reach the top of the mountain blindfolded, compared to his usual time …

Senior Football Championship Round 3 Group 2 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield v Kilrush Shamrocks at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 4pm Bouncing back from deflating opening performances, both Doora/Barefield and Kilrush unquestionably exceeded expectations last time out albeit with contrasting results. The Parish brushed off an underwhelming eight point reverse to St Breckan’s to take their frustrations out on Kilmihil by a whopping 16 points and that will have provided a huge jolt of confidence to their young squad in what is the club’s first year back at senior level since 2018. Equally, there was much to like about Kilrush’s spirit and application to certainly make life extremely uncomfortable for a St Breckan’s side that was expected to steamroll the Shams. However, the time for moral victories and valiant performances in defeat are over as with two teams getting the chop this year from senior level, this group more than most knows the heartache of having to rebuild in the second tier, …

ALMOST 350,000 vaccines against Covid-19 have been delivered by the UL Hospitals’ Group vaccination programme, according to official figures. In the week to close of business on Sunday, September 5, a total of 5,638 doses of Covid-19 vaccines were administered across the Mid-West Vaccination Centres at Limerick Racecourse, the West County Hotel, Ennis, and the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh. This brings to 346,936 the total vaccines administered under the UL Hospitals’ Group vaccination programme since it began on January 4, and includes healthcare workers, residents and staff of nursing homes, and patients in the various cohorts and age groups. The total to date also includes 13,205 vaccines that have been administered to 12-15-year-olds. However, this total does not include the vaccination work undertaken by colleagues in HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service, General Practitioners and pharmacists. Last week’s regional total for the UL Hospitals’ Group programme was composed of 2,609 vaccines administered in Limerick Racecourse; 1,648 in the …