Ennis

PROPOSALS to abolish town councils or remove their powers have been described as a “total insult to people” as members of Ennis Town Council emphasised the importance to local political representation.

THE National Looped Walks in O’Briensbridge should be promoted internationally to fully realise its huge tourism potential, according to Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes.Councillor Hayes has also proposed that groups like the O’Briensbridge Community Group work in partnership with Government tourism agencies to present a new package for walking enthusiasts.In addition to promoting the National Looped Walks at high-profile events such as the annual Milwaukee Festival in the US, Councillor Hayes has proposed that a number of walks in East Clare be promoted as part of week-long recreational option for tourists.He suggested the different walks in O’Briensbridge be linked up with similar routes along the East Clare Way. He explained that a walker should be able to start out in O’Briensbridge and have all their belongings and a packed lunch transported to somewhere like Scariff. A day trip to Holy Island, boat trips on Lough Derg, short walks for those interested in a leisurely stroll and other family orientated …

TOWN councillor Mary Howard and town manager Ger Dollard took the long road to China as Ennis representatives at the 2011 World Cities Scientific Development Forum in Chengdu.The theme of the forum was Development and Co-operation among Cities: Building Liveable Cities for Humanity. It focused on disaster reduction and energy management with 33 countries represented.The travel and accommodation costs of the Ennis representatives were paid for by the forum organisers and Councillor Howard said she was pleased Ennis was included. “It was a great honour for Ennis to be asked to attend such a forum and to have an opportunity to contribute to the overall debate for disaster risk reduction. There were over 200 delegates from around the world at the conference and it was very beneficial to be able to present the Irish approach and, in particular, highlight the strategic location of Shannon Airport, in terms of the role it could play in humanitarian aid following major disasters and …

TÁ aonach na bhFeirmeoirí ar siúl í mbaile na hInse le breis ’s seacht mblian anois, i gcroí lár an mhargadh, gach Aoine ó 8am do 2pm.Ba gnách le Breandán MacFhionnghaile, oifigeach forbartha An Clár as Gaeilge, bheith ann go luath ar an Aoine chun glasraí, arán álainn agus cáis ón cheantar a cheannach. Thug sé faoi deara go raibh Gaeilge ag a lán de na daoine a bhí ag díol ann agus labhair sé le Dominic Ó Liatháin, cathaoirleach na díoltóirí mar gheall ar infheicteacht na Gaeilge a láidriú. Anois, tá ceithre Comhartha Mhóra lán Gaelach le feiceáil ar gach bealach isteach agus tá Gnó le Gaeilge ar fáil ag breis agus leath den na seastán. “Táimid thar a bheith sásta nasc a dhéanamh idir an Ghaeilge agus an concaip atá taobh thiar den aonach seo,” a dúirt Dominic. “Is deis iontach é do chustaiméirí agus díoltóirí úsáid a bhaint as a gcuid Gaeilge mar theanga caidreamh go rialta, …

EOIN Conroy, from Barefield, is the driving force behind the successful Enterprise Evolution Programme (EEP), which last week announced 100 new places for jobseekers. EEP is a Springboard-funded programme designed to bridge the gap between education and entrepreneurship. It is a partnership between Innovo Training and Development, the Synergy Centre at the Institute of Technology in Tallaght and the business school at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology and offers unemployed applicants the opportunity to upskill and develop new business ideas, while retaining their social welfare benefits.Eoin of Innovo Training and Development explains, “Our last two rotations have proven that this programme can really help people get a business off the ground, develop their careers and fulfil their potential. A firm focus on idea generation and entrepreneurship is exactly what the country needs at this time. We have the people and talent. We just need to foster, harness and support them,” he said.This year’s participants will be invited …

ENNIS’ newest priest has spoken about the “hurt” caused to people in the light of “terrible” recent reports into abuse allegations and has urged the clergy to be “open and honest”.Fr Ger Fitzgerald, who was ordained in June and has recently been appointed to Ennis Parish explained, “This is a worrying time, not only for myself as I am starting off here and wondering if I will be ok. But you’d also be worried about what’s happening in the church at the moment with all those terrible reports coming out, just being aware of how much the church has hurt people and our, almost lack of, response as well.”“We can’t be just up on the altar preaching. In my opinion, we have to do what our Lord did. He totally emptied himself of all that authority and all that power and he was there with the people when they needed him most. He was open with them and he was …

With Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning fast approaching on September 15, the Clare Hospice Service at Cahercalla has appealed to the people of Clare to support their local hospice service over a cup of coffee. The service at Cahercalla began in the early ’80s with just one bed in the NURSING HOme but responding to current demands, it is now delivered in a state-of-the-art purpose built 19 bed unit. The cost per anum to fund one hospice bed exceeds €75,000 and even allowing for the HSE funding, there is still a shortfall of in excess of €400,000 per annum.Mary Maloney, fundraising manager at Cahercalla said, “We are very dependent on the funds raised through Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Community support is the backbone of our local service and is absolutely essential, particularly in this difficult economic climate. “Without public support and contributions, the hospice service would struggle to deliver the care, comfort and dignity that families require at the most vulnerable …

A momentous occasion in the history of motoring in Ireland will be recalled in Ennis this month. Vintage cars will gather in the town on August 28 for a motor tour recalling the Great Motor Tour of Ireland, which passed through Clare in 1901, a time when a motor car would have indeed been a rare sight on the county’s roads.Earlier this week, a plaque commemorating the motor tour’s visit to the county was unveiled at the Half Way House on the Clare Road.Spearheading the plans to remember the event is Peadar White, a vintage car enthusiast who, along with Mary O’Donovan and the Bald Eagle group, has used their passion for classic cars to raise vital funds for local charities. This year, the group is raising money for the daycare centre in Clarecastle.Peadar explained that he became aware by chance that the Great Motor Tour of Ireland had come through Clare and getting the information that confirmed the event …