Ennis

AN €8.6 million flood relief scheme that will protect more than 120 homes, along with businesses and St Flannan’s College, in Ennis is being delayed as a result of a “contractural issue”. Clare County Council has confirmed that the preferred contractor for the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme has formally withdrawn their tender and works are now not expected to begin until next year at the earliest. It had been anticipated that the project would get underway this summer. The scheme now has to be re-tendered “at the earliest juncture” and “works on the ground will most likely not commence until the spring of 2019,” the local authority stated. Councillor Johnny Flynn expressed disappointment at the delay in “this crucial piece of infrastructure”. The scheme represents the final phase of flood defence works in the town and includes the townlands of Clonroadmore, Ballybeg and Clareabbey, which suffered badly during the floods of 2009. Minister of State Pat Breen assured that …

Last Wednesday, to celebrate National Bike Week, almost 700 children from Ennis and surrounds, along with 100 adults, took part in a 3km cycle around Ennis to promote the benefits of cycling to school. Starting from behind the Fire Station on new road, the peleton took a tour around the town, taking over the streets for almost an hour. At the finish at The Fair Green, the children were organised into groups to make up a giant   ‘1.5’ on the playing field to remind motorists to leave at least 1.5m space around cyclists on the road.                    

County Clare travel specialist Gearóid Mannion has won the prestigious award for ‘Best Corporate’ at the annual conference for leading independent travel company, Travel Counsellors. The awards, which recognise the exceptional work of Travel Counsellors’ network of franchisees, were presented at a black-tie ceremony in Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow. The gala event featured as part of Travel Counsellors’ renowned two-day annual conference, which saw over 160 travel professionals in attendance. Speaking about his win, Ennis-based Gearóid, who specialises in corporate travel and holidays for discerning clients, said: “It is an honour to be awarded ‘Best Corporate’. I’ve been in travel all my life, and with Travel Counsellors for the past few years, and it is a job I am extremely passionate about. For both my business and leisure clients, I focus on offering what sets Travel Counsellors apart… bespoke experiences, expert advice, and unrivalled customer service.” Commending Gearóid on his award, General Manager of Travel Counsellors Ireland, Cathy Burke stated: “Every …

A traffic light system is operating on the Tulla Road (the R352) in Ennis to facilitate surfacing works at the new roundabout at Cappahard and Oakleigh Wood. Long delays are being experienced along the route and motorists are advised to use an alternative route where possible. The traffic light system will be in operation for the remainder of this week. The system also affects access and egress to Oakleigh Wood which is also being controlled by traffic lights. Access to Cappahard will remain via the diversion route through Cappahard. To ensure the safety of motorists and the construction team Clare County Council have requested and stressed the importance that motorists obey the lights at all times.

Pupils of Ennis NS and The Holy Family schools visited The Clare Champion office earlier today gfor their fill of festive fun, treats and entertainment.

ENNIS has been pipped by a single point for the overall title of Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2016. With a total of 326 points, up five from last year, Ennis won the Tidiest Large Urban Centre title, but the award for the Tidiest Large Town and the overall title of Ireland’s Tidiest Town was won by Skerries in County Dublin with 327 points, an improvement of six points on last year’s. Birdhill, County Tipperary, claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village, while Listowel, County Kerry, received the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town for the second year. A total of 859 towns and villages throughout the country entered this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The awards were announced today (Monday) at The Helix in Dublin. On the second visit to Clare capital town, the adjudicators remarked,”Ennis is a thriving, bustling town with an energy which comes from being open and welcoming. It was a real pleasure for this adjudicator to spend …

THE son of an Ennis man murdered in the United States earlier this month will be laid to rest this weekend. Joseph ‘Trevor’ Dilger is the son Lyda Wells Dilger and PJ Dilger, who moved to Kentucky a number of years ago from Hermitage in Ennis. The remains of the 24 year old Kentucky National Guardsman were discovered in the back seat of a burned out vehicle in Lexington, Kentucky on September 4. The discovery was made by firefighters and the coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide with the cause of death yet to be released. A number of arrests and charges have since been made in connection with the death. Following his death, friends of Mr Dilger held a vigil in his honour in Lexington. He has been described as a man who “was proud to serve his country and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He always had a smile on his face and a funny story …

A total of €4.71 million in funding for the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme has been approved by the Office of Public Works. The money will be made available to Clare County Council when it addresses some technical aspects of the scheme. The scheme will involve extensive flood alleviation work to the St Flannan’s and Ballybeg streams in the Clonroadmore, Ballybeg and Clareabbey areas of Ennis and Clarecastle. “There are some residual matters that require further consideration by the council and its consultants prior to implementation of the scheme. The offer of funding has been made on the basis that the council addresses and satisfies itself in relation to these matters prior to entering into any binding contractual commitments,” explained Clare TD, Joe Carey. Responding to a parliamentary question from Deputy Carey last month, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohue acknowledged that discussions relating to technical aspects of the scheme had impacted on progress but he expected that the OPW would …