Regional

ENNIS is crying out for a town bus and active travel infrastructure, says Clare Green Party Senator Ròisín Garvey. The Inagh-based politician is highlighting traffic congestion while calling on the County Council “to prioritise spending available for active travel funding on better, safer and more cycle lanes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings”. She said, “Even if all cars switched to electric overnight, we would still have the exact same traffic congestion issues. “The only way forward is to focus on reducing car dependency and prioritising active travel infrastructure and a town bus service. “I know from working with children and parents in all the Ennis schools over many years that the will is there to allow children walk and cycle to school, if the proper infrastructure is put in place. “Many of the roads leading into our beautiful town already have the width for such infrastructure and the Department of Transport are offering the funding. “Where there’s a will there’s a …

PLANS are underway for the delivery of a pedestrian crossing at the top of Abbey Street, with one local councillor describing the current situation as “deadly dangerous”. Councillor Pat Daly raised the issue at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he said, “It’s seriously dangerous crossing the street at this particular area of town.” He continued, “I have seen first hand people coming to cross the road and they are chancing their arm crossing over. How people have not been hurt or killed I can’t understand it. It’s a serious health and safety issue.” Paddy Tiernan, acting senior executive engineer responded to the motion, “A need for a pedestrian crossing at this location has been identified and is planned. “The pedestrian crossing is currently planned to be delivered under the Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project B. This project is programmed to commence construction in 2023.” Councillor Daly stated, “I welcome something will be done, I …

A CLOSE-KNIT group of Ennis students are once again helping to bring some festive cheer to the town while showcasing their impressive stitching skills. Ennis National School’s knitting and crafting club ‘The Crafty Crew’  have taken over the window of Insomnia Cafe in the Ennis Shopping Centre on Francis Street with a dazzling display of knitted and crocheted items. And if you look closely, you might just see some familiar characters in this year’s display which has been created with the theme of ‘ElfFest’ a rock concert for elves. The club, made up of children from third to sixth class, as well as their parents and grandparents have been working hard to complete the display which was unveiled in recent days and will remain in place until New Year’s Day. Over the past three years, Ennis National School has taken over the cafe’s window with a Christmas display and according to teacher Ciara Harding the children always look forward to seeing …

LIDL Ireland has been told by Clare County Council’s planning department that “concerns remain” over its planned €20 million development in Ennis. The supermarket giant has been asked to submit additional information to the Council, which has agreed to extend the ‘further response’ period up to and including December 15, 2022. Lidl is seeking planning permission for the development of a new store and mixed-use development at the junction of the Clare Road (R458) and Toberteascain Road. If given the go-ahead, the development will include 20 residential apartments, a café and two commercial units. According to Lidl, the development will create 30 local jobs along with 100 more during construction if granted planning permission. In September Lidl responded to an initial further information request by the Council seeking clarification on a number of items including issues with the design and massing of buildings, in particular the northern elevation onto the Toberteascain Road. A report compiled by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants …

TOM O’Callaghan, set to become the county’s newest Fianna Fáil councillor, has vowed to do what he can to help the Clare community, recalling the support his own family received when struck by tragedy. The postmaster was chosen by Fianna Fáil party members at a selection convention in Hotel Woodstock on Sunday evening. He will fill the role on the Ennis Municipal District vacant after former councillor Mark Nestor left to join the priesthood. Mr O’Callaghan, who is from Kildysart but is based in Clarecastle, secured 48 votes at the convention and was declared victorious on the first count. He will be formally ratified as a member of the local authority at the December meeting of Clare County Council. He told The Clare Champion that on the night of the election, thoughts turned to his sister Yvonne who sadly lost her life 20 years ago in a horse-riding accident. “It was very devastating, a very tough time for my family. …

ORANGE shoes were placed around a monument in Ennis as part of a national campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women. Soroptimist Ennis & District recently painted 80 pairs of shoes to acknowledge women and children who have been killed through domestic or gender violence. The shoes were placed around a monument in Ennis’ Peace Park which marks the centenary of the foundation of Soroptimist International. November 25 marked the UN International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, ending on December 10 (Human Rights Day). During this time, Soroptimists across Ireland are taking action and calling for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Eadaoin Lawlor, President of Soroptimist International Ireland, comments, “In Ireland, violence against women is a significant issue that has worsened since the pandemic. We have seen 244 women murdered since 1996 (Women’s Aid, 2022), and 87% of these women were killed by …

THE highest honour an adult can receive in scouting in Ireland has been presented to Clare’s Fiona Staunton. Fiona, who has been involved in scouting for over 40 years, has received the Order of Cú Chulainn award in recognition of her dedication to scouting in Ennis over the decades. She was nominated by the 1st and 4th Clare Scouts, whose citation outlined Fiona’s life in scouting from beginning in 1982 with then Scoutmaster Bernie Dilger through the many roles she has undertaken. “It’s very hard to measure, nearly impossible, the impact Fiona has had on scouting in Ennis Scout Group, in Clare Scout County and at national level,” it stated. “Fiona has been a guiding light and steady hand when needed through good times and bad.” She has been group leader, chairperson of the group committee, served two terms as County Commissioner and was instrumental in setting up the Clare County campsite in Ruan. She taught several teams for the …

AN Ennis family’s home is set to make things merry and bright this festive season – and all in the name of a very worthy cause. For the seventh year in a row the home of Gerry and Carmel Keane in Ashfield Park has been donned from top to toe with a dazzling array of Christmas lights to raise money for charity. Over the years the Keane family’s stunning festive displays have raised funds for a variety of organisations, with people who visit encouraged to leave a donation in a secure box outside of the home on the Gort Road. This year the family have chosen the Samaritans as their chosen charity with all funds raised going to the worthy cause. The Christmas lights will be officially lit this Friday at 6pm with Gerry telling us he is really looking forward helping to bring some festive cheer. He reveals that the energy crisis and rising electricity costs meant that this …