Regional

AN Ennis councillor is seeking to court support for the provision of basketball facilities at Lee’s Road, John O’Sullivan Park saying it would be an “ideal location” for people to enjoy the sport. A feasibility study is to be carried out by the Ennis Municipal District to “scope out the possibility”, however the local authority have cautioned they do not have the funding to provide a basketball court at the moment. Councillor Mary Howard, speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, stated she receives requests regularly “from both young people and not so young that we provide a basketball court at Lee’s Road John O’Sullivan Park.” She urged the council to “seriously” consider the request. Tim Forde, Head of Sports & Recreation with the council, confirmed that they have also received requests for a basketball court. “Clare County Council Sports & Recreation are not in a position presently to provide a Basketball Court in Active Ennis John O’Sullivan’ …

SYMPATHY has been extended to the family of the late William McLysaght, of Raheen, Tuamgraney, by members of the Killaloe Municipal District. When councillors gathered in Scariff for their May meeting, a motion of sympathy was proposed by Councillor Pat Hayes, who noted the hugely positive impact Mr McLysaght had had on the local area.  “William’s contribution was immense around East Clare,” Councillor Hayes said. “He played a central role in supporting Raheen Community Hospital. He had a central role going back the years to his father and grandfather who gave great employment in the area.” Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Cooney seconded the motion. “William was a simply fantastic man for the entire East Clare area,” he said. “He was involved in a lot of different committees and we extend our sympathies to William’s wife Anna and their family. William’s family gave a lot of employment to a lot of people and did great work.” Councillor Tony O’Brien described Mr McLysaght …

AN Ennis man who recently returned from a humanitarian mission helping Ukrainians flee the war with Russia is this week embarking on a fundraising mission a little closer to home. This Saturday John Casey, founder of the Tesla Owners Group in Ireland and fellow electric vehicle enthusiast ex international rugby player Peter Bracken, will be setting off on a mammoth trip around Clare to raise funds for the Banner GAA. They will visit every GAA club in the county on their journey of more than 550km. John explains that as well as raising money for capital development at the club the trip will also help challenge the perception that electric vehicles cannot travel long ranges. “There are 52 GAA clubs in County Clare and the distance to be covered is approximately 550km starting and finishing at the Banner GAA grounds in Ennis. We will be travelling to the four corners of the county from Naomh Eoin in the West to …

PRESIDENT of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will visit Ennis this Saturday where they will pay tribute to all those behind the county capital’s success in being named Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2021. The couple will attend a ceremony at President Higgins’ former secondary school of St Flannan’s College and during the visit he will unveil a plaque marking Ennis’ win in the national competition. Ennis Tidy Towns’ chairman Cormac McCarthy tells us that the local committee are “over the moon” to be hosting the president and his wife. He reveals that the ceremony will be particularly focused on the important role that the local community had in securing the win for Ennis. “It’s going to be a wonderful event and we have had great support in the organisation from St Flannan’s College, where the president went to secondary school, as well as getting logistical support from the Ennis Municipal District which is very appreciated.” Ennis Tidy …

SPORTS and wellbeing groups from across the East Clare community are set to benefit from an all-weather, flood-lit astroturf facility being developed at Scariff Community College (SCC).  The state-of-the-art pitch, which will be encircled by a running track, was granted planning permission in 2021 and last February received a major funding injection from the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). A major fundraising drive will be launched next Tuesday night (May 31) with a view to making up the estimated €400,000 cost of the project.  The facility is set to have major benefits, not only for the 420-pupil school, but for a host of community and voluntary organisations in the wide hinterland of SCC. The 80m by 40m playing pitch and athletics track, which will have full floodlighting, will be used for PE classes as well as athletics, camogie, hurling, rugby and soccer. In addition, it will be accessible to local primary schools, active ageing and community games groups.  “This …

NO properties in Shannon were available to rent on daft.ie or myhome.ie last Thursday or Friday, reflecting an extraordinarily tight market, in which supply is almost non-existent and prices are high. Councillor Gerry Flynn said that the local housing situation is really poor. “It’s abysmal, there’s no doubt about it. Since the Council took over Shannon (it assumed responsibility for the town from Shannon Development in 2004) it has received total saturation of social housing. That’s all Shannon has got, social housing from Clare County Council.” “Shannon Development used always make areas available for private housing. That in turn helped a lot of people who wanted to buy their own house. This policy is in place since September 2004 and this policy is coming home to roost. “They (the Council) saw Shannon as a luxury of sorts, to get over 100 acres of residential land, already zoned, and they were focusing on Shannon as being the solution to social housing …

MOUNTSHANNON Arts Festival gets underway this Thursday, May 26, showcasing a wealth of talent and creativity in music, visual art, literature and more.  The theme of ‘Community’ is at the heart of this year’s event, which will involve performances, workshops and exhibitions, running until Sunday, June 6. As always, the festival’s focus will be on erasing the boundaries between artists and audience. Events range from Full Circle Playback Theatre, a songwriting workshop, Origami workshops, a community art installation and the inaugural Mountshannon Maracatu, a family-friendly community parade.  Mel White, Chair of the Volunteer Committee said the return to full, live, in-person activities is particularly welcome after the pandemic restrictions. “We are so excited for this festival after two years of lockdown and we have been supported by the local community in every way,” she said. “We have brought together an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, artists  and creative writers to create an experience like no other this year. We would …

ST JOSEPH’S Secondary School has been recognised for a project designed to raise awareness of mental health supports and resources.  The Tulla school was Highly Commended in the Young Social Innovators (YSI) Ireland Mental Health Awards, supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Students were praised for their I-CAN project, entitled Make Our World Healthier. The project was developed in response to a perceived lack of accessible resources to help young people manage their mental health throughout the pandemic.  The students wanted to provide young people with a physical tool that they could use to combat stress and anxiety. They developed the innovative I-CAN – a tin containing advice, activities and information resources for young people to help them cope in tough times. In the future, the team plans to make I-CANs available to other schools in the area and hopefully on a national scale. This year’s YSI programme saw participation from 6,123 Irish teenagers from 209 schools and organisations …