Ennis

THE weather was wet and miserable last Saturday afternoon, but it didn’t stop more than 40 people turning out for a Heritage Week event at Hasting’s Cottage in Shannon. One of the most historic sites in the country’s newest town, Hastings Cottage is where the British Army’s General Lucas was held for part of his time in captivity, during the War of Independence. A group of musicians from the Sixmilebridge Folk Club provided music on the day, it being their first live performance in almost 18 months. Following this there were some short talks on the history of the site and its inhabitants. Hastings Cottage has been in the care of heritage group Dúchas na Sionna for the last ten years and its secretary Olive Carey outlined the progress that is being made in preparation for the complete restoration of the farmhouse barn, as a community, cultural and heritage facility. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council PJ Ryan spoke at the …

ENNIS Chamber holds its annual Golf Classic on Friday, September 3, with Munster Group as its main sponsor. This year’s classic takes place at Ennis Golf Club and is open to teams of four (best two scores to count). According to a spokesperson for Ennis Chamber, “As well as prizes for the teams including a 4-ball at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg, there are prizes for Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive. But more than that, the teams enjoy a great day out.” Teams of four at €250  to include a two-course meal. To book a team contact info@ennischamber.ie

THE pedestrianisation of Ennis’ town centre is set to be rolled back from the end of this month with vehicular traffic restrictions to finish by September 30. The Temporary Covid-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Plan taskforce has been dissolved. This comes following a meeting of the taskforce earlier this month during which a review of the current implementation of the plan took place. Based on their assessment and taking into account current public health guidelines, children returning to school, and facilitating outdoor dining, an exit strategy from the plan was agreed. With effect from August 30, current restrictions on vehicular traffic will be lifted within the town centre on Abbey and O’Connell Streets, with some exceptions for the next month. These are Monday-Friday, 11am to 2pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. From September 30, all restrictions will be lifted. In Lower Parnell Street, the current road closure will also apply until September 30. A spokesperson for Clare County Council …

ENNIS native Ashling Kelly has almost completed a 32-peak challenge, in which she climbs the highest peak of each county on the island of Ireland, to raise funds for Pieta House. Ashling spent much of her time in preparation for this impressive feat keeping fit and plotting the routes she was going to take, as some of the peaks she conquered were in clusters that she could complete over the course of a few days. The challenge also required Ashling to camp out near the peaks, something that added a new and exciting element to the feat altogether. Now with only three peaks left to climb, Ashling has raised over €2700 online at the donation website JustGiving and she can be supported here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ashling-kelly1 This challenge was something Ashling had always wished to complete, and she was inspired to do so during lockdown and give the proceeds to Pieta House due to the mental pressures of quarantine.   By Conor …

REMOTE working for those living in the county town has taken a major step forward with the opening of the Ennis Digital Hub. The state-of-the-art facility at the Quin Road Business Park was officially opened by Minister Heather Humphries at the end of last month and brings to ten the number of hubs operating under Clare County Council’s Digiclare initiative. Among those welcoming the centre was Councillor Johnny Flynn who said the hub was a long-time goal for the county town. “Six years ago, I tabled a notice of motion requesting a feasibility study be carried out on the development of a hub for Ennis,” he outlined. “I believe the facility will be critical in enabling people living in the area to enable employment. The Ennis hub is the tenth in the county, so the people of the county town have been waiting patiently as the rural centres were developed first. The potential of the hub is huge in enabling …

A FORMER Ennis resident is making a big impression on the Tattoo Art Convention circuit after setting up his own business in Pretoria, South Africa. Siegfried Avenstrup, better known as Ziggy, originally came to Ennis as a young adult and retuned to South Africa in 2014 after studying at the Community Training Centre at the Clare Youth Service. His parents Siegfried and Nastaja live in Sixmilebridge. Having developed and honed his artistic skills at CYS, Ziggy went to further specialist training in tattoo artistry, “I was originally taught by my grandfather and father and was later inspired by the art teacher at the CYS Community Training Centre. I loved the passion he had for art and our discussions about tattoo art opened my mind to the opportunities.  I have grown as an artist since then by working hard and developing my skill level.” Ziggy now runs his own successful tattoo studio in the Doornpoort area of Pretoria and is known for …

MORE than 800 people were vaccinated against Covid-19 at a walk-in clinic in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis during the Bank Holiday Weekend, writes Dan Danaher. A total of 2,649 people received first-dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines at walk-in clinics in the three Mid-West Vaccination Centres over the busy weekend. The regional total was composed of 1,273 vaccinations in the Limerick Racecourse Centre; 822 in the West County Hotel, Ennis; and 554 in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh; following walk-in clinics held in the centres on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals’ Group, said the group was delighted with the response to the walk-in clinics over the Bank Holiday Weekend. “With Covid-19 still a very real threat to our communities and healthcare facilities in the Mid-West, it was wonderful to see so many people aged 16 and over taking the time over the weekend to play a very important part in the battle against the virus …

GARDAI in Ennis are appealing for witnesses following a burglary that occurred in the county town last week. Overnight between August 3 and 4, Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, between the hours of 8pm and 7am an apartment was broken into in Parnell St Apartments. Entry was gained by a communal door which was forced. Once inside the culprits made their way to a particular apartment which was unoccupied at the time. They gained entry by force. Some small items were stolen from the scene, most notably a Black Puma sports bag containing gents clothing. If anyone was in the area of Parnell Street, Ennis, Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, on the dates in question and saw anything suspicious or may have information which may assist Gardaì in this investigation, they are asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 – 6948100.