Regional

CONCERN that recent incidences of anti-social behaviour in Ennis, including a house being targeted with a petrol bomb, could lead to the county capital receiving a bad reputation nationally have been expressed. At this monthly meeting of Ennis Municipal District Councillor Pat Daly urged the public to contact the Garda Confidential line if they see anything suspicious in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour. Councillor Pat Daly insisted “it is important that this type of behaviour is eliminated”. The councillor commented that Ennis has been getting a “bad name” in recent times due to anti-social behaviour including the petrol bombing and incidences where drugs offences are committed. “The drugs situation is very serious,” he said. He outlined that from speaking with gardaí he has been told that those who witness illegal activity are often afraid to report it. “The only way to alleviate this is to ring the garda confidential line,” he said. The meeting was told that the …

The Committee of the Shannon Town Community Wetlands last week welcomed and worked alongside volunteers from SES Ltd, a local aircraft engine leasing company, based in a major practical conservation outing. Prior to Covid the company had been in touch with an offer of assistance, and their offer finally became a reality on a gloriously sunny April morning.  After initial introductions the group were welcomed on site by Olive Carey of the Shannon Town Community Wetlands gave a brief outline of the history of the project. Ruairí Ó Conchúir, Community Water Officer with the Local Authority Waters Programme also gave an overview of the importance of wetland sites and then gave outlined the planned work for the day, keeping in mind health and safety considerations. Working with Ruairí and voluntary members of the Shannon Wetland Committee a group of about 15 broke into work teams and set about a general site clean-up, including litter picking, removal of all materials from …

ARDNACRUSHA was the starting point for the highly successful second annual charity cycle organised by O’Neill Industrial to highlight the issue of homelessness.  The event, in aid of Mid-West Simon, saw 75 cyclists set out from South East Clare at 9am and cover 75 kilometres through Broadford, Mountshannon and down to Killaloe.  A warm sunny day created ideal conditions and made the scenery all the more beautiful along the shores of Lough Derg.  Organisers expressed “a massive thank you” to all the cyclists and volunteers as well as BikeMarshals.ie and St John’s Ambulance for keeping everyone safe and making the day such a success. The cycle ended at 2pm with a barbeque at McMahon’s Bar Ardnacrusha, with a vibrant atmosphere and glorious sunshine. Michael O’Neill, Sales Director at O’Neill Industrial said the organisation was pleased to support Mid-West Simon. “We are absolutely delighted with the charity cycle, such was the demand, that I had to close the online Eventbrite bookings a week …

ONE of the most famous names in Irish fashion circles met with Ennis Rag Trade retailers for an intimate fireside discussion in the Temple Gate Hotel. Louis Copeland, Ireland’s most celebrated tailor, and by now a household name, regaled the audience with stories of his early days in fashion, bringing those gathered all the way back to his childhood, his father a tailor and his mother a trouser maker. With over 60 years of experience in retail, Louis enthralled the crowd who shared their own triumphs as well as their battle scars. The atmosphere was fun and lively; the energy of the retailers present was palpable as the audience brainstormed progressive ideas for leveraging Ireland’s Boutique Capital. The lively discussion was organised by Experience Ennis, an organisation whose aspiration is to make Ennis the best town in Ireland in which to live and the top destination to visit. The five pillars of Experience Ennis are Culture, Community, Aesthetic Impact, Business …

RAIN gives us rainbows is the positive message of a brand new colourful addition to St Anne’s School in Ennis. The school recently unveiled a new mural created by its Oak, Rowan and Willow classes along with local artist Rachel Macmanus. The project was facilitated by the Clare Artists in School Scheme 2021/2022. Principal of St Anne’s Rose-Marie Flanagan explains that before designing the mural Rachel visited them and spent time with the three classes to discuss ideas. “We discussed together what should be included in the design and why. The pupils chose to highlight the nature they see in and around their school, such as birds and animals, and we also discussed the weather we get here in Ennis, a lot of rain! But rain gives us rainbows, which became a central theme for the mural.  “We also focused on the geography of St Anne’s School, which is situated in the centre of Ennis town, and the activities and sports which happen in the school. As we …

MOUNTSHANNON Angling Club have presented lifetime honorary membership awards to two members, Billy Hickey and Andrew Brown for services rendered to the club over the years and for their role in promoting angling and works to ensure the ongoing rehabilitation of Lough Derg as a brown trout nursery. The awards were announced at the club’s EGM last week when the schedule of competitions was confirmed and a new committee put in place for 2022. Officers elected were President; Brian Merrick; Chairman, Peter Turner; Vice Chairman, Joseph Lyons;p class=”p2″>Secretary, Brian Durack; Treasurer, John O’Rourke; PRO, Tony Hogan and committee, David Burke and Andrew Brown. The club is currently investigating ways of encouraging young members to join the club and intend to organize an event later in the year to teach them ‘how to fish’’. The club acknowledged the lack of advance notice to members but it was felt that the best choice was to go ahead with the competitions as listed rather …

A FEASIBILITY study on the proposed greenway from Scariff to Limerick has concluded that there is potential for a high-quality and well-connected amenity, which will form part of the proposed Shannon Greenway.  A briefing was provided in late April to Oireachtas members on the route which will be around 40km in length. Oireachtas members were told that progress so far includes the completing of Phase 1 work on the Concept and Feasibility of the Limerick – Tuamgraney/Scariff Greenway. This work involved developing a study area and establishing the planning context as well as identifying constraints and establishing viability.  TDs and senators were shown two Preliminary Route Options (PROs). The first, Green PRO would follow The Shannon from Limerick to meet the Shannon Tail Race/Head Race. It would then proceed along the Parteen Basin to meet the Killaloe Bypass. The second, Red PRO would follow the Park Canal/River Shannon from Limerick to The University of Limerick (UL). It would then follow …

AN ADDICTION support project in the Mid-West is to benefit for a cash grants and non financial supports from Rethink Ireland with support from the Dormant Accounts Fund and Google.org. Rethink Ireland announced the Ana Liffey Drug Project (ALDP) as one of the recipients of the €600,000 fund  The fund was launched last October by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. Its aim is to support organisations that are innovatively supporting people living in rural areas to access employment or education opportunities, improve their job readiness and build their resilience as we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on minority and underserved communities. ALDP will use the funds to tackle addiction, homelessness and other social issues across Clare, North Tipperary and Limerick. It currently runs an outreach programme that allows workers to go to rural areas and ensure people can access the services they need.  It provides tailored support to people to access residential …