Ennis

More must be done if  town centres are to survive, according to Ennis Chamber. Ennis Chamber and Chambers Ireland have called on Government to introduce measures to support business growth and job creation in town centres. The call comes following a presentation by the latter to the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Ennis Chamber is calling on Clare County Council to reduce the county-wide rates to the Ennis town level, incentivise town centre locations for businesses and to give additional weight to local businesses in its procurement of goods and services. According to Chambers Ireland, the Government can support the revival of town centres by reducing the cost of doing business in town centres and by implementing fair public procurement policies that do not discriminate against SMEs, among other measures. Chambers Ireland chief executive, Ian Talbot said, “If our economic recovery is to be successful, it must be sustainable at a local level. Town centres have consistently suffered …

It is estimated that more than €15,000 worth of electrical equipment was stolen in a smash and grab burglary of Ennis Electrical in Parnell Street, Ennis overnight. Gardaí received a report at 3.12am on Wednesday morning that three males had broken into the electrical goods store having used a sledge hammer to break the door. It is understood that a quantity of electrical goods, including flat screen televisions, ipods, tablets and laptops were stolen in the incident with a value approximately €15,000, although the full cost will not be known until a full stock take is carried out. Gardaí say there are similarities between this incident and that of a burglary which occurred at Cassidy’s Pharmacy in Ennis last month. A silver Daewoo car, which was found out burnt out in Quin, is believed to have been used in the burglary and gardai are appealing to anyone who may have seen it, or any unusual activity in the Parnell Street …

WHAT happens to greyhounds after their track or coursing career has ended? It’s been a difficult question to address in the past but more and more the breed is becoming popular as a pet. Rover Rescue, based at Shanaway Road in Ennis, has been involved in taking pound dogs since 2008 but until recently, greyhounds weren’t readily available for adoption as pets. Now, thanks to the co-operation of Frankie Coote and Ennis Pound, Deirdre Ryan has co-founded a group with Eileen Twomey called Clare Greyhound Project. “We aim to build alliances with rescue groups all over Europe who will get on board in helping us find these loving pets caring homes. Rover Rescue has already secured supports from greyhound rescues in the UK, as well as Italy and Sweden. Due to the recent implementation of the Pet Passport Scheme between the UK and Ireland, it can now cost up to €400 to get a dog to the UK. This is …

This year’s Ennis Street Festival line-up is branching out in new directions, as it introduces Ennis Sounds Good, a parallel music festival, and offers the public a modern take on dancing at the crossroads. The festival takes place from July 4 to 6 and this year’s latest addition, Ennis Sounds Good, will mean the fun and spectacle of Ennis Street Festival continues. With 36 gigs across 15 venues, it is sure to be a success. Highlights include Mikey and the Scallywags, Drizzle, Skazz, The O’Malleys, DJ Will Softly, Keith McDonald, Buck Tailor, La Orquestra Kalamares, blues, folk, ska, salsa, world music, Spanish music, trad and more, culminating in a big festival music finale on Sunday, July 6. One of the other new elements to this year’s festival is a 21st-century interpretation of the traditional custom of dancing at the crossroads. Through participation in modern art forms and dance, dancing at the crossroads will take place in O’Connell Square with the Ennis …

Clara Feeney from Inch National School and Seosamh Ryan from Holy Family Senior School, Ennis were among 200 primary school children who were conferred with special certificates from NUI Galway as part of its Youth Academy. The pupils from across the Western region received their certificates, with more than 1000 friends and family attending the ceremony. Established in 2012, the Youth Academy aims to inspire entry to university by introducing children and their families to university life. Since its foundation, almost 800 children have graduated from a variety of courses on Saturday mornings ranging from Italian to Mandarin, Philosophical Discovery, Psychology, Engineering, English Literature, History, Film Studies, Eco-Explorers, Map Adventures and the World in 3D, and Information Technology. The Youth Academy runs for a six week period and works with high ability fourth, fifth and sixth-class primary school children to support their learning and academic development, in partnership with their primary schools. Speaking at the event, President of NUI Galway, …

Fine Gael Councillor, Johnny Flynn is the new Mayor of Ennis has said he will not take the allowance of €12,000 that goes along with the mayoral chain. He was elected to the position at the inaugural meeting of the Ennis Municipal District on Tuesday afternoon. The role of mayor carries a maximum stipend of €12,000 and it was agreed at the meeting on the proposal of Councillor McNamara that the maximum allowance be allocated for the position. However, speaking after the meeting Councillor Flynn said that he would not be drawing down this stipend as per his election promise not to take any allowances or expenses. He explained that as he lives within a mile from the council chamber, he does not incur the same kind of expense as some full time councillors who live outside the town bounds. He said he hoped to work with his fellow councillors to see if the allowance allocation could be redirected to …

Tourism promoters in Ennis are calling on the business community here to treat everyone as if they are a judge in this year’s Tourism Towns and Tidy Towns competitions. Local co-ordinator of the Tourism Towns competition, Teresa McGrath who is also vice -chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns, explains that Toursm Town competition is a prestigious one, is organised by Failte Ireland on a national basis and is now in its third year. She and her colleagues are urging businesses here to pull out all the stops when it comes to customer service, especially during the months of June and July when the judges will be in the town for Ireland’s Tourism Towns Competition. “Winning the competition would have long-term beneficial effects by way of tourism and social events as everybody knows that a strong tourist industry contributes to the sustainability of towns and villages and to the economic viability of the business community,” she said. “The Tidy Towns competition is …

Famous musician and actor, David Essex honoured Travellers this Wednesday at the fifth Traveller Pride Awards, which recognise the achievements and contributions they make to their own community and to Irish society. The winner of the sport award went to David McCarthy of Ennis, who accepted it from broadcaster and “voice of Gaelic games” , Michael Ó Muircheartaigh at a ceremony in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. David, who plays for Avenue United, was a key member of this year’s Clare Oscar Traynor side. Winners included a senior county soccer captain, aPhD student, an emerging actor and script writer and a World Health Organisation award winning health initiative. Singer and musician Christy Moore, broadcaster Michael O’Muircheartaigh and Norah Casey RTE and Newstalk presenter were among those who presented awards and celebrated with winners from Meath, Dublin, Clare, Kerry, and Galway in various categories. David Essex brought an extra stir of excitement at the ceremony, not just because of his outstanding musical …