Ennis

A LOCAL  group, who have been bringing potentially life saving defibrillators to the streets of Ennis, have just installed their fourth device. The Ennis Defibrillator Committee is behind the installation of a new defibrillator at Roslevan this week. And there are plans to provide four more in the future with a fundraising quiz planned for next Thursday in the West County Hotel. According to the fundraising committee chairman Paul O’Shea, “Each defibrillator costs €2,300 and the committee have raised enough money to purchase four units. These units are positioned at key locations throughout Ennis. We can’t believe that in these hard times, that we have now purchased four units. The generosity of the Clare public is astounding. In addition, Ennis is in the process of achieving the status of ‘Heart Safe Town’ the much coveted award from the Irish Heart Foundation.” The fund raising committee includes the Clare Red Cross, Ennis Chamber, Avondale Soccer club and other businesses/community groups. The …

FIVE local women, all members of the Travelling community, have enrolled as third level college students for the first time in their lives in a collaboration between Ennis CDP, Limerick Institute of Technology and the HSE. And while they admit there is a sense of trepidation, there is also plenty of excitement with all of the women looking forward to facing the challenge ahead. Margaret Gannon, Mary Frances Joyce, Bridget Mongans, Bridget McDonagh and Mary McDonagh met with one of their lecturers from LIT, Dr Frank Houghton, this week. Dr Houghton, the Director of the newly established Health & Social Research (HEALR) Group in Limerick Institute of Technology, delivered a four hour session on “Primary Health Care and its impact” in Ennis to the new students who proudly hold their LIT student cards. The students will also be going on campus to attend a number of lectures and to join in with the wider student population of which they are …

RTÉ Radio mass will be broadcast from Cloughleigh Church, Ennis on Sunday. The mass will feature music and singing from the Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh School Band. You can listen to the mass on Longwave 252 or the RTÉ Radion Extra App.

LOCAL businesses are rallying behind those hit hardest by recent storms on the county’s coast with an entire weekend of fundraisers organised in Ennis. Dubbed the Clare Coast Storm Benefit the three nights of events with something for everyone will take place in The Grove, Roslevan from Friday, February 21 to Sunday, February 23. And funds raised from the three events will be divided with half going towards the repairing the playground in Lahinch while the second half will be donated to another worthy cause yet to be decided. Donagh Vaughan, owner of The Grove explained that their efforts to help those in need following the storm have been greatly supported both in Ennis and in other parts of the county, including areas still reeling from the bad weather. “We all have to pull together and help out in times like this,” he said. “The idea behind this came when we started seeing the pictures of the damage coming through …

By Dan Danaher RESIDENTS in an Ennis housing estate have been requested to take measures to minimise the impact of a “rodent infestation” following indiscriminate dumping near a river at the rear of the development. According to a Health Service Executive (HSE) letter obtained by The Clare Champion, the authority is aware of “infestation of rodents” in the Aughanteeroe estate. The letter requested the householder to take 11 separate actions to minimise the impact of the rodent infestation. “Rats are constantly present and they tend to come closer to houses at this time of the year looking for food and warmth. They can spread diseases, which can be harmful to humans. “Rats can live in turf and timber blocks and these tend to retain the heat. Poison should be placed carefully in storage areas used for fuel. If using poison, please ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. “Poison should be tamper resistant and inaccessible to children and pets. …

THE redevelopment of Ennis’ market has moved a step closer this week with members of Ennis Town Council agreeing to seek a loan for the proposed plan for Garraunakilla. The council will be looking for a loan of €1.75 million from the government to facilitate the proposed works, with the construction of the covered market itself expected to cost less than half a million while much of the funding would also be spent on improvements to the general area. Members of the council gave their backing to the planned re-vamp of the market on Monday evening, with council officials stressing that this is just “one step in a process”. According to town manager Ger Dollard there will be full consultation, funding will have to be sourced and a tender process will have to be gone through before any works are carried out. He emphasised, “the users of the market will have to be happy with the facility, we want this …

THE abolition of Ennis Town Council is set to be marked with a civic event. Initial details of the planned event were unveiled at a meeting of the local authority which is set to be abolished this summer. At the meeting, Councillor Michael Guilfoyle stated that councillors, former councillors, staff and former staff should “receive recognition for their commitment and foresight in the development of the town.” He commented that “it’s sad to see the town council going, but unfortunately we have no control over that. The people did not get the opportunity to vote on this like they did with the senate.” Leonard Cleary, town clerk, told the meeting that it is intended that Ennis Town Council host an “appropriate event” to mark the abolition of Ennis Town Council. He explained, “In recognition of the service of current and past elected members, a roll of honour has been researched and compiled. This will be included as part of the …

IN 1938 the doors of the new ‘Technical School’ were first opened on the grounds of the Old Infirmary in Ennis. Now home to Ennis Community College, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir and the Ennis College of Further Education, the school will celebrate its monumental 75th year anniversary next week. At a cost of £11,000 the school was originally established the meet the need for a permanent technical school in County Clare following the passing of the Vocational Education Act in 1930. The eventual opening of the school came following a concerted effort by the Vocational Education Committee to secure a site. When the school opened, The Clare Champion reported on the enrolling of 120 boys and girls in the vocational classes in the “handsome” new school. The school has certainly come along way from its early days of offering classes such as manual work for boys and domestic economy to girls, vital skills in helping young Clare people secure paid employment …