Regional

A CLARE school is one of five nationwide that has achieved Yellow Flag status at a ceremony to mark their efforts in tackling racism and promoting inclusion of all cultures, ethnicities and religions. Holy Family Junior School, Ennis was awarded the flag along with schools – two primary and three post primary – from Dublin and Kerry at an online event hosted by RTE Presenter and author of The Same but Different, Emer O’Neill. Speaking at the ceremony teacher Miriam Lowe of Holy Family Junior School, Ennis said; ”The Yellow Flag Programme provides Holy Family Junior School with a flexible framework through which to showcase the rich diversity within our school and to capture and celebrate the inclusion this diversity enables.” To be awarded schools must complete eight steps of the intercultural Programme which aims to improve educational outcomes for all children through a learning environment where diversity is valued and celebrated. Part of their efforts must include establishing a …

ARCHAEOLOGICAL testing is to be carried out ahead of the creation of a new community recreation park in Clarecastle in an area deemed to have “high archaeological potential”. Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council to Clarecastle Community Amenity Ltd for the development of the park which includes an all-weather multi-purpose playing pitch and walking track. Due to the proximity of the site to recorded monuments mitigation measures have been put forward to ensure the preservation of features of archaeological interest. The community group’s original plans were adjusted including altering the location of the pitch to avoid any direct impact on the recorded monuments in the area. There are two recorded monuments within the bounds of the site itself, levelled earthworks which are likely to be early medieval ring-forts. An intact ring-fort is also located immediately adjacent to the site. Permission for the development was granted subject to a number of conditions of planning including the engagement of …

MAKING Ennistymon more pedestrian-friendly while also providing more parking for coaches and cars is one of the issues being tackled by a town enhancement strategy, writes Dan Danaher. Ennistymon Town Team and Helena McElmeel Architects are preparing an Enhancement Strategy for the town centre in partnership with Clare County Council and Clare Local Development Agency. Three out of every four people surveyed for the new strategy drive in and out of the town, according to the results of a survey released from public consultation conducted last year. One of the objectives of the Ennistymon Enhancement Strategy (EES) is to make the town more pedestrian friendly, with the proposed provision of a new pedestrian crossing on the old bridge and attractive walking routes such as a river side board walk. The North Clare town will benefit from major infrastructural developments over the coming years, with the development of a new €25 million post-primary school, and €16 million for the Inner Relief …

IN a sign of things to come efforts are being made to upgrade a popular Ennis initiative which has been helping to bring history to life for more than a decade. The Ennis Historic Town Signage was introduced back in 2009 and has proven to be a welcome addition to the town for both tourists and local people alike. However, condensation issues, stickers and graffiti are affecting the posters encased within the signs and calls are now being made for an update, with QR codes for use with mobile phones among the suggestions being made. The condition of the signs was raised at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Councillor Mary Howard. “These signs have been a great addition to the town since they were introduced back in 2009. However I believe they now need some refurbishment as most displays have condensation issues, this is affecting the integrity of the information posters within the frames.” She asked was …

THERE was great joy and pride in the parish of Tulla on Sunday morning last as the community  welcomed home Bishop Ger Nash for his first official visit to his native parish since being appointed as Bishop of Ferns last year.  The Glandree native was ordained last September at St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, but Covid restrictions meant many friends and neighbours were unable to attend. The homecoming provided a welcome opportunity for catching up, good wishes and congratulations. Bishop Ger was the main celebrant at the Sunday morning mass in Saint Peter and Paul’s Church in Tulla. The celebration was attended by a a large cross section of the community, including former classmates from Drumcharley and Tulla National Schools as well as from Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, where the Bishop Ger received his early education. The Harty Cup, so recently won by his Alma Mater, had a special place in the sanctuary. Also present were a group of the …

A BOYCOTT of Russian goods in response to the invasion of Ukraine has been called for by Ennis councillors, who have also urged the people of Clare to support local efforts to provide relief for the war-stricken country. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, urged that retailers who are stocking products made in Russia withdraw them from shelves as she described President Vladimir Putin as a “modern day Hitler”. She said that the people of Ireland are “repulsed” by recent events in Ukraine. She acknowledged, “This is not the Russian people, they are in the dark, this is being done by a megalomaniac who is detached from reality. He doesn’t care about Russian soldiers in Ukraine who thought they were going in on exercises. This is an appalling betrayal of his own people. But this shouldn’t deter us from boycotting Russia economically.” Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton praised the people of …

MOUNTSHANNON is celebrating an award of more than €50,000 from The Town and Village Renewal Fund. Within days of lodging plans for an outdoor pavilion at Aistear Park, Mountshannon Community Council received positive news and a sum of €54,860 after a detailed application for government funding.  In a statement, the Community Council said: Thanks to Minister Heather Humphreys of the  Department of Rural and Community Development. “Thanks to Clare County Council and especially Seamus Murrihy, Killaloe Municipal Community Development Officer who has supported Mountshannon Community Council through this whole process. Congratulations to all the communities and hardworking committees who have been successful. Best of luck to all!” Noting the funding allocation, Deputy Cathal Crowe said the plan was a model for other communities looking to develop similar recreational amenities. “Importantly, this will be made using sustainable, low-maintenance materials so it will be environmentally friendly and an example to other communities looking to do similar,” he said.  Making the funding announcement …

THE tragic death of teacher Ashling Murphy sparked calls for an audit to be carried out of Ennis’ public spaces to ensure they are safe. This week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard Councillor Mary Howard urge that the examination be carried out with a focus on lighting levels, footpath conditions and hedgerow maintenance starting with the Fairgreen and Lees Road. She said she was inspired to propose the motion following the “awful events” of last January in Tullamore when the teacher was killed while out jogging. “In light of recent events I believe it is important to ensure our public spaces / physical environment are safe,” she said. The councillor cited a United Nations Women’s Safety Audit as an example of what could be used to determine how safe the local environment is. “I’m putting this forward because women are asking me to, they just felt some places might be a little bit overgrown? The lighting mightn’t be …