Ennis

BEST IN SHOW Cora Grogan – Labasheeda BEST VASE OF GARDEN FLOWERS CONFINED TO CLARECASTLE Betty Slattery POTATO CHAMPIONSHIP Thomas Slattery – Ballynacally BEST VEGETABLE Thomas Slattery – Ballynacally BEST GLADIOLI Thomas Slattery – Ballynacally BEST ROSE Thomas Slattery – Ballynacally BEST PORTER CAKE Tara McInerney – Ennis BEST HOMEMADE JAM SPONGE Marie Kerrigan – Island McGrath, Clarecastle HORSES Class 1 Champion Yearling Colt, Gelding or Filly 1st John Tyner, Knocksmall, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Sundance Jackpot, Bred by Thomas Quigley, Sire: Tolan R, Dam: Limericks Girl 2nd Michael Keane, Moreen, Kilkee, Co. Clare, Bred by Jenny Glynn, Sire: Ascalon, Sire of Dam: The Traveller 3rd Emily Crowley, Ardcahan, Dunmanway, Co. Cork Bred by Pio Tully, Sire: Womanizer, Dam: Rostine Diamond Class 2 Champion 2 year old Gelding or Filly 1st John Tyner, Knocksmall, Kinsale, Co. Cork That’s Class Joe, Bred by Noel O’Shea, Sire: Maxum Joe, Dam: Mollip Diamond Strike 2nd Emily Crowley, Ardeahan, Donmanway, Co. Cork (Horse Doograne Master) …

KATE Crotty and her mother Caitríona from Ennis are this week gearing up for the annual Tour De Munster Charity Cycle, which takes place from August 8 to 11. Thirty three year old Kate has completed a Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development in Mary Immaculate College and is currently undertaking a course on Office Administration in the Adult Education Centre, Ennis. Armed with her qualifications Kate has her eyes on an office job, and she and Mum Caitríona are so grateful of the supports received through Down Syndrome Ireland, which have led to so many doors opening for Kate. These supports would not have been available without the funds raised by the public through events like the Tour de Munster charity cycle, which marks 10 years in partnership with Down Syndrome Ireland Munster this year. The cycle takes place over four days, covering six counties of Munster where cyclists will traverse a 600km route. Last year the charity …

A SITE has been secured for the construction of a new €25 million St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis. The construction of the 100-bed, community nursing unit on five acres of Diocesan lands located near the Turnpike in Ennis will ensure that elderly care services remain at the heart of the county town, according to Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen. Deputy Breen said, “I am delighted that a site has been secured at this central location in Ennis for the construction of the new €25 million St Joseph’s Hospital. The sale of the 5.09 acres of land remains subject to planning permission for the development of the 100 bed Community Nursing Unit, but I believe the site provides the best option following the appraisal of a number of sites in the Ennis environs by the HSE. “The new state-of-the-art St Joseph’s Hospital building has been prioritised in the HSE Capital …

CLARE Fire Service have confirmed that the chemical detected in water pumped from the leisure centre of an Ennis hotel on Monday morning was chlorine. Three units from Ennis and two from Shannon were called to the Auburn Lodge Hotel after a flooding incident in the basement of the leisure centre was reported at around 7am. It is understood that chemicals were being stored in the basement.The leisure centre was cleared of people as the fire service dealt with the flood. No chemicals in the water were initially detected however as water was being pumped out high levels of chlorine were discovered. According to a spokesperson for Clare’s Fire Service the situation has now been contained and the chemical is being disposed of at a licensed waste facility.

LIT has confirmed its plans to open a new campus in Ennis on foot of a proposed capital investment of €0.75 million by Clare County Council. Located on Bindon Street in the town’s historic core, the new facility will enable a substantial increase in higher education activity in the town. Reflecting LIT’s regional development remit, the LIT Ennis campus will join LIT’s existing campuses at Clonmel and Thurles in County Tipperary; Moylish and Clare Street in Limerick City; and a new engineering-focused campus currently under development at Coonagh in Limerick. A total of six degree programmes in Social Care, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Marketing and Management are now available through the CAO at LIT in Ennis for September commencement. Possibilities for evening and professional learning will also be opened up. Commenting on the news, LIT President, Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “We are delighted to be able to progress our plans in Ennis. We intend to provide an expanded …

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 …