Regional

THE development of a ‘Venice in Ennis’ with water-based amenities, a League of Ireland soccer team, pedestrianisation, covered streets and a third-level education campus are just some of the facilities the people of Ennis want to see in their town by 2020, according to a recent project.Earlier this year, researchers from the UL Practicum Programme set out to investigate what vision the people of Ennis have for the town for 2020. This would then be used to support the development of a plan for Ennis as a hub town in line with the National Spatial Strategy.The study, Ennis 2020 People, Place, Potential, was carried out in partnership with Ennis Town Council and the University of Limerick and was supported by Clare Active Citizenship Network.The opinions of over 300 people were accessed during the research, the results of which were outlined at this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.Dr Chris McInerney of the University of Limerick explained the study provides perspectives …

ICARUS won’t be landing at a new home at the Clareabbey roundabout, despite calls from Councillor Mary Howard to relocate the famous sculpture on the roundabout leading into the town.Speaking at this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Councillor Howard stated, “This sculpture is of incredible importance having been created by John Behan, who has worked in the United Nations among other places. “Ennis has a really nice skyline that is very pleasing to the eye and I believe that if Icarus was nicely lit, it would be lovely to see on the gateway into Ennis.”However, Eddie Power, town clerk explained it is intended to relocate Icarus to the Rocky Road roundabout on the western relief road, as decided by the council previously.“The appointment of a contractor to carry out the necessary supporting foundation for this sculpture has been approved. It is intended that the work to facilitate the relocation of this sculpture is to commence shortly,” he said.Councillor Tommy …

BANSHA National School in Doonbeg was recently awarded Digital National School status for the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning. An awards ceremony was held recently at the school and was attended by pupils, teachers and parents.Bansha National School is a three-teacher school situated at the western end of Doonbeg parish. The award was achieved with board of management support, led by chairperson Paddy Flanagan, through grants from the Department of Education and Science, fundraising and the implementation of ICT policy in the school by staff members.The school is now equipped with computers, laptops, interactive whiteboards, data projectors, digital cameras and visualisers.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow Ennis Town Council to tow away vehicles parked in market bays on trading days have been removed from new casual trading bylaws, which were adopted this week by the local authority.Members of the council unanimously voted to remove the bylaw, with Councillor Johnny Flynn describing the proposed tow-away system as “a sledgehammer to crack a nut”. Councillor Frankie Neylon argued the plans would prevent people from coming to do their shopping in the town.However, while it was agreed to remove the bylaw allowing for the towing away of vehicles, town manager Ger Dollard warned that cars could still be removed by gardaí if they are deemed to be causing an obstruction and that warning signage for motorists would be placed in the market areas.Mr Dollard told councillors the current bylaws are “unsatisfactory” dating back to 1988 and he urged that the new casual trading bylaws be adopted.Councillors also opposed plans to create a Christmas tree selling …

A COMBINATION of South Galway and Mid-Clare parishes will unite this weekend, putting together an action-packed programme, scheduled around the Tubber Show. Festivities will continue this year from Thursday to Saturday.The event will be officially opened on Thursday night at the singing and storytelling night in Whealan’s Pub with resident seanachai, Joseph Kearney.On Friday, the sheep fair in Tubber will take place from 1pm. The local organisers include Michael Roseingrave, Frank Donoghue, Shane Counihan, Paddy Walsh and Pat Roseingrave. The local farmers have joined together to re-establish this famous fair, with buyers invited from across the country. The night will come to a close with music at Finnerty’s Pub, Tubber.From ancient times, a fair was held in Tubber on July 12.  Connemara sheep were brought by herdsmen from West Galway and West Clare to the lamb fair at Tubber, which was in turn attended by buyers from Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. After the fair, hundreds of sheep and lambs would …

THE deadline for submissions on the issue of church gate collections has passed and a good number of responses were received. Earlier this summer, Fr Tom Ryan asked for submissions on the matter. On the parish website he wrote, “Whilst many charities and community groups benefit from the tradition of holding church gate collections, strictly speaking, such collections do not fall within the remit of the church since they involve receiving a permit from the gardaí for a street collection. On a recent weekend in the month of May, a diocesan-wide census of mass attendance was taken in every parish throughout Killaloe diocese. This census, the first in a series this year, is being undertaken to establish the level of mass attendance in each parish. One-thousand five-hundred and sixty-five people attended mass in Shannon on the weekend of May 21-22. These churchgoing people are perceived as an easy target, since they require very little organisation or personnel on the part …

Improving the access to the Clare campus of the University of Limerick would make South-East Clare even more attractive as a place of residence for students and staff, according to Labour Party TD Michael McNamara.Deputy McNamara has asked Clare County Council to implement one of the key recommendations of the new  2011 to 2017 Clare County Development Plan concerning access to the university from the Clare side.A key objective of the County Development Plan is to “support and encourage the further expansion onto the north side of the River Shannon of the University of Limerick campus and increase access from County Clare”.“The university, catering for approximately 14,000 students, has developed significantly in recent years on the Clare side of the River Shannon and now boasts two residential villages, a road and pedestrian bridge, the health sciences and World Academy of Music and Dance buildings, a medical school, sports pitches and recreational facilities.“Clare County Council and the university will continue to …

THE annual Corofin/North Clare Show will be staged in Corofin village on Saturday, July 23. The prize lists have now been circulated, with details of classes for all prospective exhibitors.“There has been much interest in all areas, which is to be expected when one considers the huge level of participation at last year’s event,” Mary McMahon, the long-standing show secretary said.Vice-chairperson, James Burke said there has been particular interest in the hall section, which encompasses classes for farm produce, horticulture, home crafts, poultry, eggs, turf and photography.There are 21 classes to choose from in the flower display events, including potted geraniums, potted roses, hanging baskets and window boxes.“With such a variety of classes, there is room for one and all to include an exhibit and make Corofin North Clare Show a most memorable experience for all the family,” Mr Burke stated.The horse-showing classes sport the Irish Draught Foal Championship with a final at Bantry Show for a prize fund of …