News

THE Lions Club of Ennis are ‘branching’ out their annual Remembrance Tree fundraising project, with people from all over the world now able to get involved. For the past ten years the Lions Club have partnered with the Ennis Municipal District to host their fundraising campaign for Cahercalla Hospice, placing yellow ribbons containing special messages of remembrance on a Christmas tree in Ennis’ market area. The popular fundraiser has become a firm tradition of Christmas in Clare, raising on average €13,000 for Cahercalla over the years. This year the club will be continuing that tradition, however Michael Neylon of the Ennis Lions tells us that Covid-19 has resulted in challenges with footfall not expected to be as large as it has been in previous years and fears this will result in fewer donations. In a bid to ensure that the charity receives as much funding as possible, the Ennis Lions have initiated an on-line fundraiser, meaning not just locals, but …

CLARE Haven Services are continuing to shine a light on violence against women having launched a very special virtual candlelit remembrance. Despite Covid-19 the local organisation is currently marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This annual international campaign running from November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day aims to raise awareness and to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Clare Haven’s annual candle-lit walk through the streets of Ennis remembering women and children killed by partners or ex-partners is not possible due to Covid-19. However, Clare Haven Services have joined forces with artist Emma Houlihan, Clare County Library and An Garda Siochana in developing a virtual lighted walk. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services, Clare Haven Services explains, “For the last 12 years, to remember the women who have been killed in County Clare by their partners or ex-partners, Clare …

THE first Robotic Trans-Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) for early stage rectal cancer, which was performed recently in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has placed the hospital on the map as a national centre of excellence for this specialist work. The robotic team in the Department of Colorectal Surgery at (UHL) recently broke new ground in treatments available in this country for early stage rectal cancer, by performing the first Robotic Trans-Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) operation in Ireland. Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon, Mr Colin Peirce, and the Robotic Colorectal Team and staff in Theatre 7, used the Da Vinci Xi Dual Console robot to perform the surgery, which enables the removal of early stage cancers from the lower bowel whilst leaving the bowel intact, with minimised recovery time for the patient and no requirement for a temporary or permanent stomach bag. The achievement can place UHL firmly on the map as a national centre of excellence for TAMIS operations, …

BUILDING work on the new Ennis Scout Hall is hoped to be complete by March 2021, however it has been confirmed that the Ennis scouts still have a shortfall in funding for the development and need to raise €115,000. The Ennis Scouts 1st and 4th have recently been successful in securing a community grant from the Ennis Municipal District of €10,000 with Fiona Staunton, chairperson, saying, “We are very grateful for this and also for the recognition by the town councillors in the asset this development will be to the community. Building work is moving along and we hope to be finished by March 2021. However, we still have a shortfall.” The scouts have now launched an appeal to businesses in Ennis to support the development saying, “We cannot achieve our goal without the continued support of the wider community”. According to Fiona, “We are acutely aware that many businesses are struggling at the moment but believe this project has the capacity to …

  STAFF at University Hospital Limerick have been joined by Adapt Domestic Abuse Services and by Irish hockey international Roisin Upton in marking 16 Days Opposing Violence Against Women. As part of the annual raising of awareness around domestic violence, University Hospital Limerick has been illuminated in the campaign’s signature purple. The annual event at UHL is organised by the Medical Social Work team, which offers a confidential support and information service to those who are affected by domestic violence across all the UL Hospitals Group. Students on placement from NUI Galway and University College Cork also supported the event. This year’s 16 Days campaign runs from November 25th to December 10th. Covid-19 has not stopped domestic violence. Women’s Aid has highlighted a 43% rise in National Freephone Helpline contact during the Covid-19 crisis. If anyone needs any help, anytime, the Emergency Department at UHL  is open around the clock or contact the following numbers: Medical Social Work UHL  0866051774; ADAPT: 1800 …

AN Ennis childcare provider is among the winners of Early Childhood Ireland’s annual National Awards which recognise and applaud the excellent practice of educators in early learning and care settings. Maxine Ryan from Clare Family Resource Centre in Ennis was awarded the LINC Award for Leadership in Inclusion sponsored by LINC. Maxine wins this award for her work in cultivating inclusive culture, practice and pedagogy in early learning and care settings. Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, said, “The Early Childhood Ireland National Awards showcase the excellent practice in early learning and care settings. This year has been a particularly challenging one for the early years sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the high quality of the awardees demonstrates the ingenuity and tenacity which is embedded across our sector. “I would like to congratulate Maxine Ryan from Clare Family Resource Centre in Ennis and thank her for her innovative approach and contribution to the continued development of the …

WITH the country moving back to Level 3 restrictions and non-essential retailing re-opening from Tuesday the Christmas spirit has returned to Ennis with shoppers being urged to support local. Alongside free parking and pedestrianised streets, the return of the popular Ennis Street Radio bringing Yuletide cheer has been announced by the Ennis Municipal District in a bid to attract shoppers to the town centre. To promote Christmas and New Year shopping in Clare’s county town, free parking will be available in all public car parks in Ennis town every Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 6pm until Saturday, January 9 inclusive. Parking remains free of charge from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, at the Cloister/GAA car park. Similar to previous years, for the Christmas period streets will be pedestrianised on Sundays this year between 1pm and 6pm, December 6, 13, 20, 27 and January 3. To add to the festive cheer, Ennis Street Radio will be on air from …

GROWING up as one of 12 children in a Traveller family who were always moving from place to place, Margaret Donovan received almost no education as a child, barely spending any time in school. Even the basics of literacy were not something she was given the opportunity to learn, and so she reached her late 30s without any education and, it seemed, little likelihood she would ever read or write. She was finally pushed to begin learning, however, when she wasn’t able to help her beloved little daughter with her homework and at 55, Margaret is living a rather different life to what she was on course for as she approached 40. She is now literate and wants to continue learning. She has held a job for many years. She drives a car and has a full license. She has taken several holidays and lived in a house for 12 years having always called a caravan home before that. Very …