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Ennis

Fears over flood risk areas

UP to 10 areas around Ennis have not been included as probable areas for further assessment as flood-risk zones in a new national assessment, Clare County Councillor, Johnny Flynn has claimed.The Office of Public Works (OPW) has issued its Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) to Clare County Council for public consultation, which is regarded as an important first step in determining how flood risk will be assessed and managed in the future.Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) is an OPW-led  programme to identify areas of potentially significant flood risk and consult with the public in 2011, prepare flood maps by 2013 and flood risk management plans by 2015.From analysis of the PFRA draft flood risk map, Ennis has been included as a probable area for further assessment (AFA) as flood risk.  Councillor Flynn has claimed the extent of areas at risk identified are inadequate as the designation of Ennis appears to be for river and/or tidal flooding only. “The …

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Chamber rejects claim president was in China

Ennis Chamber has refuted suggestions parking charges couldn’t be reduced on a once-off basis to coincide with the recent retail discounts on ‘Super Tuesday’ because its president, John Dillane, wasn’t available for consultation with Ennis Town manager, Ger Dollard.Former Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Frankie Neylon claimed at a public meeting organised by the Ennis Chamber on Tuesday night that when the town manager was asked if he could remove parking charges on Super Tuesday, he replied he couldn’t make a decision because the Chamber president was in China.Having clarified the issue, Chamber chief executive officer Rita McInerney told The Clare Champion on Wednesday neither the Chamber or Mr Dillane was contacted or asked their views about this issue.Ms McInerney pointed out Mr Dillane was on annual leave but wasn’t in China and had returned to Clare on September 3 and was back to work on Monday, September 4, the day before Super Tuesday.While the Chamber always welcomed consultation ­before any …

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Launch of multi-cultural educational booklet

There are many pieces of research that show if parents are interested in what their children are doing in school, children do much better. This is the main theme of a Comenius Regio EU-funded RoFaL project running in Ennis between four groups – Clare Family Learning Project, part of Clare Adult Basic Education Service, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, Educate Together National School and Ennis Community College. The project in County Clare is twinned with six partners in Aydin, Turkey, including a local primary school and university. One of the main objectives of the partnership is to produce a booklet for supporting parents to help their children learn. The booklet, called Helping Your Children Do Well In School, is in Czech, Slovak and English and has been illustrated by children in Ennis Educate Together National School and Ennis Community College.The booklet was officially launched in Ennis Community College by Anca Minescu, lecturer in psychology in UL and researcher for the Migration, …

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Traders oppose district centre

Traders in Ennis have united to oppose the proposed variation in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to facilitate a proposed large district centre on the outskirts of town.The current variation, which is expected be voted on at Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council next month, includes a provision that would support a planning application for a major new retail development of over 7,834 square metres with 610 car parking spaces on the Limerick Road.Gearóid Mannion, of O’Connell Street traders, warned “Ennis Town Centre was on its knees” and stressed the town council had to do its utmost to protect its retention as a viable shopping area.Expressing grave concern about the impact of an out-of-town district centre on the town centre, he said this would be too risky because of the expected adverse impact on local traders.Noreen Walsh, of Parnell Street, traders appealed to the council for its assistance because business was on its last legs in the town …

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Round of a-paws for national school

There’s a new dog in town as Ennis National School welcomes Mackey their Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ), as part of a new initiative aimed at improving students reading skills.Students at the school are having regular reading sessions with Mackey, that follow on from a reading to dogs movement that began in the US.  Now a widespread practice in libraries, schools and even correctional facilities both in the US and in Canada, a number of educational authorities in the UK have also begun to introduce this experience to their students. Teachers at Ennis National School became interested in the idea last spring but it took some time to find a willing dog-owner with a suitable dog. Luckily, Ennis resident Hilary O’Sullivan heard about the project and came forward with her dog Mackey. Hilary has nephews attending the school, and she was delighted to bring Mackey in for a trial run. Fortunately, the children took to her straight away, and Mackey …

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Soroptimists provide support through friendship

Former Clare Champion journalist, Ger Colleran will be the guest speaker at a national friendship event hosted by the Soroptimists International Ennis and District Club.Saturday’s event at The Old Ground Hotel will be attended by Soroptimists from over 20 clubs in the Republic and Northern Ireland and the theme will be ‘Supporting through Friendship’ which is the ethos of soroptimism.Now editor of The Irish Daily Star and a part-time broadcaster, Quin native Ger Colleran has a strong family link with the Ennis Soroptimists as his sister, Claire is a past president. Ennis was accorded the honour of hosting the event following the selection of their member Rosalie Byrne-Muir as national president.The Ennis and District Club has had five presidents elected to the national forum over its 47 year history.  Through many generations, the club’s all female membership has enjoyed and benefited from enduring friendships and the mutual support of each other which in turn, has generated support from the wider community …

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Divided opinions on retail development

ENNIS Town Councillors remain divided over whether a planning variation should be granted to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to facilitate a major new retail development on the Limerick Road.Members of Ennis Town Council supported the inclusion of a variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to go on public display, including the proposed development of over 7,834m2 with 610 car parking spaces.Among the amendments to the plan proposed by councillors are that a development site at the Limerick Road and Clonroadmore be, subject to assessment of retail impact, “a suitable location for a district centre scheme or a new large foodstore”.This was proposed by Councillor Frankie Neylon “in the interests of balanced retail development” and seconded by Councillor Michael Guilfoyle.However, Councillor Guilfoyle pointed out that councillors supported this variation to allow it to go on public display but this didn’t mean their support for the controversial project was a “fait accompli”.As a public representative, Councillor Guilfoyle said …

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