Ennis

A YouTube clip recorded in Ennis of a dog bringing toys to a baby had clocked up almost nine million views on Wednesday evening. The clip is one minute and 46 seconds long and, at the beginning, the dog brings a toy away from the baby, who is seated on a chair. When she begins to cry, the dog brings toy after toy over to comfort her, almost covering the child, such is his determination to rectify the situation. The baby’s name is Laura Olivia and she is the daughter of Daniel Drzewiecki and Julija Kolpakova, who are both from Eastern Europe and have lived in Ireland for eight years. Speaking on Wednesday, Julija said, “My boyfriend made it a few months ago, when our child was two months, and he uploaded it. It got very popular a few days ago!” She said Daniel had wanted to make a different type of clip. “He wanted to film how Laura would …

Residents of An Sean Dún Estate in Ennis turned out in force earlier this week to officially launch a sustainability pack for all households in the estate. The eco-friendly initiative has been developed by residents in an effort to encourage householders to make small changes that deliver cost savings as well as help the environment. The sustainability pack consists of an energy monitor to encourage people to minimise energy use, a reusable shopping bag to cut down on plastic bag usage, pasta/rice measures and fruit/vegetable savers to help reduce food waste, a roll of radiator reflector foil to prevent energy wastage and water displacement devices to reduce water usage. Councillor Mary Howard, deputising as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, commended the residents for their efforts. “I am delighted to formally launch the sustainability pack for this proactive community group.  They are certainly community leaders and are showing us all how we can reduce our environmental footprint.  It is important that we …

Clare County Council has confirmed that the L8226-13 local road in Kilcurrish Townland, near Ennis, will remain closed until further notice due to concerns regarding the structural integrity of Kilcurrish Bridge. The affected road links the main Corofin to Ennis Road (R469) to Ballygriffey. Alternative routes have been put in place. A statement from Clare County Council said: “Following a preliminary inspection of the bridge on Thursday, the bridge has been closed on safety grounds, and will remain closed until further notice. We are carrying out further investigations to identify the cause(s) of the structural problems, with a view to determining appropriate repair options to allow the bridge to be brought back into use at the earliest opportunity.” The public are advised to used alternative routes, including the L8224 at Ballybrody (accessed near Ryan’s Quarry on the Corofin Road) or the L8320 at Erinagh (first right after Fountain Cross on the Corofin Road) onto the L8229 at Reaskaun.

A new version of the Visit Ennis Guide is now available and it’s proving a big hit for families and shoppers seeking to make the most of what’s on in and around the county town. The free visitor guide features sections on ‘what to do and see’, shopping, accommodation, travel, emergency services as well as dining and entertainment. Now in its third edition, the Visit Ennis Guide is an initiative of Promote Ennis who contracted local company Actonbv to manage the publication process. Chairman of Promote Ennis, Brian O’Neill, is delighted by the both the standard of the publication and the feedback amongst visitors and local businesses. He is grateful for the support shown by local business that financed the production, “I would like to thank the business owners of the area who have funded the Guide through their advertising and listing contributions. This is a massive contribution to tourism in the area as a visitor guide of this standard …

CONFLICTING views have been expressed about the €1.75 million redevelopment of the market area in Ennis by local councillors. Councillor Mary Howard said the provision of a covered Milk Market-style area for the town would result in one of the most “exciting projects” to rejuvenate the town centre. In fact, Councillor Howard told an Ennis Municipal District meeting on Monday that this development would provide an “iconic building” similar to the new Harmony Row Bridge in the town. However, Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy expressed concern about the impact of funding this ambitious project from the council’s own finances, after director of services for planning and enterprise, Ger Dollard, confirmed the council had applied for department approval for a €1.75 million loan. The Fianna Fáil Councillor noted the lack of finance is already resulting in delay for the upgrading of public infrastructure. Councillor James Breen told the meeting he had been approached by people who claimed the planning notice for the Part …

THE Fourth of July is known in America as Independence Day but it was also the date that McNamara Park opened and there were celebrations there last Friday for its 50th anniversary. Colin Fitzgerald was born there back in 1964, one of a small number of children to arrive in the year the estate opened. He was involved with the celebrations and said they had sought to remember those who have died from the original residents. “Everyone that passed away from those who moved in originally were recorded in a booklet. After that we had a mass, the brass band played before that and we had entertainment then until midnight.” He said a new structure was put in place to mark the half-century milestone.“There is a brand new statue erected. The council put it up to celebrate it, it’s at the right hand side of the green. There’s a bit of the history on it and it explains the name. …

Homes and businesses in Clare are set to benefit as a result of a joint ESB and Vodafone venture to upgrade broadband facilities across the country. The  €450 million investment will benefit 50 towns, among them Ennis and Shannon. ESB and Vodafone are to invest €450 million in building a 100%  fibre-to-the-building broadband network offering speeds from 200 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, propelling Ireland into the ranks of the world’s fastest broadband countries. Ireland will also become the first country in Europe to utilise existing electricity infrastructure on a nationwide basis to deploy fibre directly into homes and businesses, initially reaching 500,000 premises in 50 towns.

Emotional Life in Ireland is the theme of the 2014 Merriman Summer School, which  will take place in Ennis,  from August 13 to 17. It is, according to the organisers,  a timely topic for a country which has yet again been dealing with the aftermath of trauma, as we listen to stories of hidden pregnancies, secret births and unacknowleged deaths. Many of the events will be held in Glór. “How do we deal with our emotions and their consequences? Are we better at it now than we have been? What legacies have been left by our difficulty in understanding and reluctance to deal with our emotions? These are some of the areas for discussion at this year’s Merriman Summer School,” a spokesperson said. The director of this year’s school is Dr Patrica Coughlan, Professor Emerita in the School of English at UCC. She has selected a rich panel of speakers. Social historians, writers, ethno-musicologists, psychologists, a psychiatrist, journalists and critics …