Ennis

Clare Rose Ava O’Mahony will hope to blossom this weekend, when she takes to the stage with 55 other hopefuls from all over the world, looking to securing her place at The Dome for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August. The 25-year-old Ennis woman, a finance graduate of University of Limerick, will be hoping to clinch one of the 23 places up for grabs in the three consecutive selection nights, hosted by RTÉ presenter Dáithí Ó Sé in The Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, starting this Friday. Ava impressed the judges last month at a county final, hosted by TV3 weatherman Deric Ó hArtagáin. The regional festival highlights will include the official opening in the Civic Plaza on Friday night, the vintage car parade of Roses and their Rose Buds followed by a street party on Saturday and the annual visit to Abbeyleix and Castle Durrow on Sunday. Roses representing 28 counties in Ireland, 13 regions in the United States, Scotland …

ENNIS hair stylist Bridget Haren proved that she’s a cut above the rest by coming home from the World Hairdressing Championships in Malaysia with the gold medal in the ‘progressive cut and colour’ section of the competition. But there was no resting on her laurels for the owner of Altamoda Hair on Woodquay in Ennis. When she returned from Kuala Lumpur, it was straight back to work. “I arrived back in Ireland on Tuesday night and I worked 12 hours on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Bridget said. Her world championship-winning progressive cut and colour was fashioned on a mannequin and following days of preparation, she had 30 minutes to complete the cut. “I rehearsed what I was going to do in five easy steps for myself, so when I went on to the floor, I just had to keep my head and make sure that I didn’t make any mistakes. It was only 30 minutes but it was fierce …

AS MANY as 40 African countries are represented in Ennis, according to the town mayor. Councillor Johnny Flynn was attending the Africa Day Celebrations in Ennis last week and welcomed the contribution made by all the people of the African communities in the town and throughout Clare. Africa Day marked 52 years of the African Union and African Independence and provided an opportunity for all Africans – including those who have made Ireland their home – and non-Africans to celebrate Africa, its people and their potential at a time of both great turmoil and opportunity for the continent. The day was marked on Wednesday afternoon last at the Civic Building in Drumbiggle, with food, music, poetry and the planting of an oak tree in the grounds at Waterpark. The community event shared some aspects of the rich heritage of a number of African countries and created an opportunity for everyone to enjoy some time together on a special occasion. “There …

ENNIS man Darren McMahon, who canvassed for a yes vote in his home town and in Galway where he now lives, was delighted that his native county supported his search for equality. A total of 58.3% of the Clare electorate voted yes in the Marriage Equality Referendum. While Darren did have some rough experiences while canvassing, he found that many people in this county were supportive. “A yes vote won’t harm anyone but a no vote could have destroyed people,” he reflected when speaking to The Clare Champion. “I was incredibly proud of the result in Clare. It was one of the highest yes votes outside of the big cities,” he pointed out. A bit nervous in the days leading up to last Friday’s vote, Darren was one of many people tallying at Ennis Courthouse early on Saturday morning. “The first box that I tallied, I counted seven no votes in-a-row. I was saying I had misjudged this one and …

AN Ennis accountant who was holidaying with his wife at Playa Paraiso in Tenerife has tragically died as a result of a fall. Financial accountant Johnny Mulcaire was holidaying with his wife, Noelle, in the resort on the Costa Adeje when the fatal accident occurred last Saturday night. The couple arrived at the apartment on Thursday for the break that 56-year-old Mr Mulcaire had booked online. “Noelle had gone to bed and Johnny said he’d follow her up but, unfortunately, he seems to have locked himself out of the complex. “He went to go around a fence into the pool area but slipped and struck his head fatally after falling 20ft,” said his brother, Mike. Noelle’s brother, John Bane and her son, Darragh flew out to Tenerife on Monday to be with her. They flew back on Tuesday night into Dublin and Mrs Mulcaire returned to their home in Cahercalla Heights off the Kilrush Road to be with the couple’s …

INIS Fest music festival is back on track and will take place at Ennis Showgrounds on June 26-28, it has been confirmed. The three-day festival will see Ennis Showgrounds being transformed into a world-class venue with a 3,000-person capacity big top tent and an entertainment and leisure area featuring food and drink stalls. Organised by Impresario Events, the inaugural event features Nathan Carter, Damien Dempsey, Delorentos, Hermitage Green, Mundy, Rackhouse Pilfer and more acts to be announced. “We received overwhelming support from the wider public following our decision to defer holding the event last month. Thanks to Clare Agricultural Show Society and the ongoing support of Clare County Council, the Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, Clare Civil Defence and the public we are delighted to announce that an alternative event venue has now been secured,” explained Darren Purtill of Impresario Events. “We believe that INIS Fest is a hugely positive event which not only provides the people of Clare and …

Free parking is to be introduced on a trial basis in Ennis and Kilrush, it has been confirmed. Clare County Council has announced two-hour free parking is being made available in Kilrush, while free parking is also being provided in the council’s car parks in Ennis from 2pm each Saturday. Parking charges will continue to apply to on-street car parking in Ennis. The incentives were proposed at Monday’s council meeting where they received the unanimous backing of elected members. Both schemes will operate on a trial period from June 1 to the end of September. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe said, “Providing quality access and convenient parking is instrumental in presenting our main towns as attractive and vibrant shopping locations. I welcome the council’s introduction of these incentives, which should now act as an additional stimulus to activity in both Ennis and Kilrush and encourage greater retail activity in the towns.”

Clare County Council has confirmed that Phase 1 of the Ennis Market Rejuvenation project is now proceeding to tender stage and construction is expected to commence in the autumn of 2015 The €1.75m loan for the Market Rejuvenation Project, which also includes the upgrading of the streets adjoining the market area, is now in place. Clare County Council says a detailed design will shortly proceed to tender stage in relation to Phase One of the redevelopment of the market which will begin at Garraunakilla, the site of the current Farmer’s Market. Speaking on behalf of the Elected Members of Ennis Municipal District Committee, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn welcomed the progress being made in relation to the project in consultation with local residents and business people. “This project will have a significant role in the rejuvenation of this area of the town, which is significant, both from an economic and heritage perspective considering Ennis has always been an important …