Ennis

AN opportunity to witness 150 years of history in Ennis awaits visitors to Coláiste Muire’s open day next weekend.The school was founded by the Sisters of Mercy back in September 1860 and over the years, the school has gone on to educate generations of girls from throughout the county. On Sunday, May 8, as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations, an exhibition of photographs documenting the school’s past, along with other displays relating to the school’s history, will feature as part of an open day from 2pm to 5pm.Jean Pound school principal said, “This is a very special year for Coláiste Muire Ennis. It’s a huge landmark to think that the school is still here after all these years and while society may have changed from when the school first started, the basic ethos of the school and the importance of education is still the same. Several generations of families have been educated in the Coláiste.“When you think back to …

SINCE 2006, Pieta House has been bringing light to thousands of people affected by suicide and self-harm across the country.One man who knows only too well how the centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide can help people in need is Ennis man, Tom McEvoy.His family turned to Pieta House for help following the tragic loss of his brother, Adrian, who died by suicide.In the aftermath of this tragedy, another brother found it difficult to cope with the loss, despite his family’s best efforts to support him. Tom credits Pieta House with saving this brother’s life. He believes that if they had known about the service when Adrian was alive, he too would still be here today. That is why he is urging people to come out and support the service’s fundraising Darkness into Light walk/run, which takes place in Lees Road on May 7.Tom recalled that after the loss of Adrian in 2007, “It was a traumatic time …

MINISTER for Enterprise Richard Bruton has backed the Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Chamber in their bid to bring the county out of recession.

AS the Ennis and District Soroptimists’ prepare for next month’s charity fashion extravaganza in Dromoland Castle, club member Stasia McDermott has just been presented with some rather stylish neckwear.

THE pinnacle of a cross-curricular project took place at the official launch of the Pride of ECC currach as it embarked from the River Fergus in Clarecastle on its maiden voyage west of the Shannon on Tuesday afternoon.The atmosphere was emotional and electric as Ennis Community College pupils finally got to see the result of their hours of dedication float along the river. Teachers, parents and friends were all there to encourage and cheer them along.“It is a very proud moment for all involved and one which I think will stick with the students forever. It’s been great to witness the students busy at work and to watch their self-esteem and confidence grow at each stage of the project,” said teacher and Junior Certificate Schools Programme (JCSP) co-ordinator, Vivien Grogan.Ten pupils from first and second year seized on the opportunity to participate in the age-old traditional craft of currach making.“The school is forging links with the Fergus Rowing Club to …

ILLEGAL dumpers have been slammed as being “anti-community and anti-everything” by Ennis town manager. Speaking at a recent meeting of Ennis East Electoral Area Councillors, town manager Ger Dollard said, “unfortunately the local authority have to spend a fortune cleaning up after other people. I would appeal to people who have information about illegal dumping that they would contact the council. This information will be followed up and prosecutions will be made.”He was speaking as figures were released at the meeting showing that in 2010 a total of 58 litter fines were issued and 23 prosecutions taken in the Clare County Council functional area.Recently it emerged that Ennis Town Council had issued a total of 71 litter fines, with 23 paid in 2010. There were 10 cases referred to a solicitor. Speaking at the meeting, Ennis East Electoral Area Councillor Johnny Flynn suggested that a targeted urgent programme of clean-up and strict enforcement be implemented to deal with the “disgraceful …

THE Health Service Executive has applied for planning permission to retain the prefab building that houses the physiotherapy department on the grounds of Ennis General Hospital.Earlier this year An Bord Pleanala rejected that this was a strategic infrastructure development, obliging the HSE to make a planning application to the local authority.HSE Estates West have now applied to Ennis Town Council for permission for the temporary retention of an existing single storey prefabricated building which houses the physiotherapy department. The building is located adjacent to the front entrance of the main hospital building. Permission has also been sought for ancillary and associated works on a site that has buildings listed as Protected Structures.The existing building was granted planning permission in June 2005 with a condition requiring its removal after three years.Earlier this year the HSE in a pre-application consultation to An Bord Pleanala asked for confirmation that the development would be considered a strategic infrastructure development. The HSE confirmed to the …

CLARE Roots Society members had a very busy week leading up to the completion of Census forms last Sunday night. On Friday, Gerry Kennedy and Paddy Waldron were guests on Clare FM’s Morning Focus discussing the 1901 and 1911 Census, which can be downloaded as a podcast.Later that morning, on Radio 1’s  Pat Kenny Show, reporter Valerie Cox used Bindon Street in Ennis to illustrate the wealth of detail that is available in the 1901 and 1911 Census.Valerie had been briefed by Catriona Crowe of the National Archives on the work of Clare Roots Society and suggested that she use Bindon Street as an example. Valerie spoke to a number of Clare Roots members as she walked the street, including Paddy Waldron, Eric Shaw and guest Oliver Moylan. A podcast of this interview can also be downloaded from www.clareroots.org.Clare Roots Society advises families to photocopy their own Census for archiving. “The information which you record on this year’s Census form …