News

THE emergency services were called to the Bunratty Castle Hotel on Wednesday afternoon, after an electrical fault in the hotel’s kitchen resulted in a fire. Staff and guests were evacuated and the fire brigade was summoned at 2.30pm, with the fire brought under control some time afterwards.

SCHEDULED Care is being restored on a phased basis across the UL Hospitals’ Group as systems recover from last month’s devastating cyber attack, writes Dan Danaher. This announcement comes after the Mid-West Public Health Department confirmed there were 82 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Clare, 510 in Limerick, and 45 in North Tipperary over the past two weeks. On June 21, there were 13 confirmed cases in Limerick, eight in Clare and none in North Tipperary. Outpatient appointments, day case and inpatient surgery, endoscopy and other investigations are being gradually restored at University Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and St John’s Hospital. University Maternity Hospital Limerick was less severely impacted by the cyber attack, and services there continue to operate at the levels prior to the attack of May 14. All patients whose appointment or procedure is going ahead will be contacted directly by the hospital in advance. More than 10,000 outpatient appointments, operations and investigations …

BUS Éireann has confirmed that from this Friday, June 25 the last daily departure from Galway to Limerick on Expressway Route 51 will be at 7.05pm.  This service had been temporarily suspended from May 15. “As demand increases with the reopening of society, and with greater opportunities to work and socialise, we know this late service from Galway is important particularly to people in south Galway and Clare. We have worked with the National Transport Authority and are glad to reinstate this trip as the safe reopening of society continues,” said Brian Connolly, Western Region Operations Manager, Bus Éireann.  “It was always the case that these necessary temporary suspensions would be reviewed subject to demand.”  Currently and as a result of the severe impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers, Bus Éireann operates Expressway routes under contract to the National Transport Authority.  Route 51 operates from Galway to Limerick and on to Cork.  There are 23 trips a day between Galway …

ESSENTIAL works will result in the closure of a road at Sixmilebridge this Friday and Saturday. Irish Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council advises that the works on the R642 at Ballyliddan West, Sixmilebridge require a road closure of this road from 9am on Friday June 25 until Saturday evening, June 26.  Traffic travelling north west toward Sixmilebridge on the N18 from Limerick city will continue toward Bunratty and take exit 7 for Hurlers Bridge/Sixmilebridge. Traffic travelling to Limerick City from Sixmilebridge will take the R471 toward Hurlers Cross and join the N18 at the Bunratty junction. According to a spokesperson for Irish Water, “Diversions will be in place and signposted on approach. There will be no through road at the works location, but crews will endeavour to maintain local access as much as possible. Irish Water understands this type of work can be inconvenient and will ensure our work crews make every effort to minimise any disruption these …

AN EVENT to mark Pride Month in Clare will offer help to communities and organisations on how they can best support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. The webinar, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 30, will be of interest to LGBTQ+ people, their families and friends and anyone who wants to support them. It is being hosted by Quare Clare and Clare Sports Partnership, and will feature speakers from Belong To, GOSHH and LINC, three of the support and community organisations available to LGBTQ+ people and their friends and families. Guest speaker at the webinar will be Mayo All-Star footballer Fiona McHale, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a PhD researcher in Physical Activity and Health at the University of Limerick (UL). Bernie O’Gorman of Quare Clare noted that a survey conducted earlier this year had highlighted the need for better supports. “An online survey we conducted in March highlighted an urgent need for supports and services for the LGBTQ+ …

CLARE Cancer Support Centre has launched a men’s health initiative to provide specialist physiotherapy treatment for cancer patients. It is believed the Clare Cancer Support Centre is one of the first charitable organisations to provide this specialist service to local male cancer patients. According to a recent medical study, men who complete five full weeks of specific exercises before pelvic surgery have less incontinence and better sexual function after surgery. In line with international men’s health week, Sláinte an Chláir and local physiotherapy practice, YOUtherapies are linking up to provide Clare men with support around rehabilitation from prostate cancer. During the week, Clare men are asked to make the connections, check in, check up and check it out to safeguard their health. Chartered physiotherapist, Aideen Farrell, told the Clare Champion the centre believes there is a gap in the rehabilitation that Clare men receive after prostate, pelvic and colorectal cancer surgery. Ms Farrell explained after surgery men are usually offered …

THE lives of two of Ennis’ best known figures are to be remembered in the county capital this Wednesday evening, June 23. A memorial plaque will be unveiled at 6.30pm at the Queen’s Hotel dedicated to the late Laura Brennan. While at 7.15pm, the late Michael Tierney and his dog Paddy will be remembered opposite Ennis Cathedral with a plaque dedicated in their memory. Unveiling the plaques will be Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard in one of her last functions in the role. “For many years I have tried to have something permanent in the town of Ennis to remember the larger than life character that was the late Michael Tierney. Last June when I became Mayor of Clare I promised that both Michael and Laura Brennan would have a permanent presence in the town, my term is finished on Friday,” she said. All are welcome to attend, with plans underway for an event to be held …

A NEW funding stream has opened up to give Ennis town centre properties a facelift and maybe encourage a few ‘Insta’ moments. Councillors have committed money from their general municipal allocations (GMA) to fund painting, gutter cleaning and repairs to properties adjoining the public realm works on Parnell Street. A fresh look and facelift will hopefully result in some pretty Instagram pictures, according to Councillor Mary Howard, as Ennis looks to attract more visitors over the coming weeks and months. Properties adjoining the Parnell Street works are to benefit from the additional funds from local councillors’ GMA in a move described as “fantastic” by the Mayor of Ennis. Ennis Municipal District councillors agreed to allocate a further €8,000 from their GMA towards the painting, gutter cleaning and repair scheme of the properties. This additional allocation, in conjunction with the €10,000 available for the Ennis Municipal District area under the Community Support Scheme (Town/Village Paint works), will be ring-fenced for this …