Regional

THE transformation of the site of the former Ennis Boys National School on the Kilrush Road into a new temporary car park has been given the green light by Clare County Council. City Cinemas Ltd have been granted planning permission to provide 156 parking spaces in the town. The car park will include 12 accessible bays and four electric vehicle parking bays. The development will also include minor alterations to the entrances, signage, pedestrian access and internal footpaths and perimeter fencing. Under a condition of planning permission, all vehicular movements leaving the car park are to be monitored in the first six months of its operation. This comes after concerns were raised by the Roads Office of the local authority that increasing numbers of exiting vehicles turning right onto the R475 may cause a safety hazard. After the six months a report is to be submitted to the planning authority and “thereafter, if deemed necessary, the applicant shall signalise the …

MORE than €30,000 has been raised for Bushypark as a result of a fundraising campaign organised by Ennis Lions. When Ennis Lions Club committed to fundraise for the development project at Bushypark a full year ago they sought a project that provided a win for all stakeholders. Led by the success of their colleagues in Galway Lions they chose to undertake the mammoth task of a charity auction to be carried out online and on radio. The principle reason for this choice was that it provided an avenue that gave back to donors as well as providing great value on a broad range of desirable goods to local people. Little did they know their choice would end up being the talk of October 2022 across the county! Project team leader David Goodstein credited this WIN/WIN formula to the huge success of their recent Charity Auction during October which saw them raise a magnificent €30,343 for Bushypark. Back in March the …

FURTHER public submissions are to be accepted on a major private housing estate proposed for Tulla, now that the developers have provided the Council with extra information.  In response to planners concerns, Wiskin Property Developments submitted Further Information (FI) earlier this month. Planners have decided that the the nine points of information provided, as well as updated drawing and reports, constitute “Significant Further Information”. That means that more public submissions will be accepted for a five-week period. The Council has given January 14 as the updated decision date on the estate plans.  Plans for 60 homes on a site at Loughaun South were submitted in August of this year. After an initial assessment, and four submissions from nearby residents, planners questioned several aspects of the proposals. Residents highlighted the rapid increase in housing development in Tulla, and raised concerns over an increase in traffic, parking and road safety.  Planners’ questions, in an FI request, centred on the impact on a …

THE team from Aillwee Burren Experience had cause for celebration at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport which hosted the 2022 Irish Hospitality Awards recently. They scooped not one but two awards on the night as Orlagh Redmond, Dave Merrins and Sam O’Connor ably represented Aillwee. They proudly returned home to The Burren as overall Winners of the Family Venue of the Year award and Highly Commended in the Outdoor Venue of the Year category. Nuala Mulqueeney, Managing Director of the family run Aillwee Burren Experience said: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition which represents our visitors’ continued enjoyment of what we offer across our Aillwee site for nearly 50 years. All our experiences, under and overground are delivered by our wonderful, skilled team and these awards are testament to their welcome and inclusion of our visitors to Aillwee”  “These awards are extra special this year as we showcase our newly, exquisitely lit and uniquely immersive Cave Tour, rebuilt …

ENNIS students are urging the public to help them become a ‘Secret Santa’ to those most in need in Clare. Transition Year students at Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir joined forces with the St Vincent de Paul and next week they will be taking over the Vincent’s Charity Shop in Ennis. This is just one of a variety of actions the students are taking to support the St Vincent de Paul, with a clothing and food drive and a no-uniform day also planned. On Thursday, December 1 the Ennis teenagers will take on the entire running of the charity shop from 9am until 9pm, doing everything from manning the tills to managing the floor. And for those hoping to pick up some bargains ahead of the festive season, there are plans for a flash sale with up to 50% off items teacher Martina McNamara reveals. Ms McNamara explains that the theme of this year’s annual fundraising campaign by …

ENNIS has once again attained the coveted Purple Flag award. After a gap during COVID-19 years, when night life everywhere was interrupted, Ennis Purple Flag Committee re-convened last autumn to apply for Purple Flag accreditation once more.  Following a full, in-person assessment conducted during the hours of 5pm to 5am, by national and international assessors, Ennis was awarded a Purple Flag to fly proudly, plus a certificate of award, at a recent national ceremony held in Cork.  Purple Flag certification recognises the work done by a multi-sector Purple Flag Committee, to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of Ennis town centre Evening and Night-time Economy. Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and well-being of visitors and residents.   Other towns and cities in Ireland to renew Purple Flag accreditation this year include Dublin city centre, Cork, Waterford and Sligo, with many more towns …

DERMOTT Petty’s hugely popular play about the Rineen Ambush and its aftermath returns, by popular demand, to Miltown Malbay next Saturday night, November 26. After a sell-out performance in Miltown in October, Dermott and The Ballycartoon Players have been invited back to West Clare with Two Days in September.  Doolin-based playwright Dermott weaves the story, of the events of September 22 and 23, 1920, in film and theatre form. The drama and traces the ambushing of a British Army convoy by the Mid-Clare Brigade of the IRA. It follows the aftermath of revenge and the sacking, looting and burning of the villages of Ennistymon, Lahinch and Miltown Malbay by the Black and Tans.  “West Clare in 1920 was recovering from a land war, famines, World War 1 and Spanish influenza,” said Dermott. “While a beautiful part of the world it had a troubled past, a proud people and a yearning for change. While Ireland had many revolutions, the War of …

ENNIS Players are going on tour. Due to popular demand and having performed a completely sold out Supper-theatre run in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis Players have announced a very special performance of ‘One-Acts on Tour’ in North Clare this weekend. The Players will perform two one-act plays in Hotel Doolin on Sunday, November 27. Speaking about the event, Mary Curley, Chairperson, said, “We in Ennis Players are delighted with the return of our very popular one-act season, as we have missed our audiences for the past two years, and look forward to welcoming the people of Clare and further afield to our performances.” The Players will take to the stage performing Elysium Nevada by Barry McKinley and Trapped by Barry Woods. Set in a retirement village in the sweltering Nevada desert, Elysium Nevada by Barry McKinley tells of two residents reflections on life, youth and how they got there. They are joined by a mysteriously silent woman whose presence adds …