Regional

THIS summer, national children’s arts and health charity Helium Arts will launch its first Creative Health Programme location in Clare at CBS Primary School in Ennis. The charity’s first outpost in Clare will provide arts programming for children living with long-term medical conditions. Helium Arts’ new Ennis location builds on the success of hubs in Cork, Limerick, and Galway which have served over 2,000 children living with long-term medical conditions since 2019, supporting their wellbeing, creativity, and ability to cope with their conditions. Helium Arts is dedicated to empowering these children and teenagers through creativity and the arts by creating connection and belonging for young people who can feel lonely and defined by their health condition. Led by local artist Ana Colomer, the workshops are a space for children to play, learn, and explore their creativity through hands-on activities. As a parent whose child recently took part in a recent Helium Arts programme put it, “My son’s creativity was opened …

NEARLY 60 tourism and hospitality businesses in North Clare have been honoured for their commitment to sustainability. Certificates of Achievement were given to 58 businesses for honouring their commitments under the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism for 2020/2021. Developed with EU LIFE funding and launched by the Geopark in 2016, the Code is the only sustainable initiative of its kind in Ireland and in the network of 169 Geoparks spread across 44 countries. Congratulating the successful businesses during a ceremony at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Killeen, said: “The level of engagement by tourism operators across the Burren emphasises their commitment to implementing a range of social, environmental, and economic actions that benefit the environment, local communities, businesses and visitors.” “The number of businesses that have received accreditation is even more impressive when one considers the times we were in and the pressures faced by the tourism sector …

THE Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society will reopen the doors to one of south Galway’s premier attractions, after a two-year closure, on Easter Saturday, April 16. Plenty of work has been going on behind the scenes at Thoor Ballylee during these challenging two years – on the thatch, the mill, and most recently, on the Tower during the spring clean-up. “We wish to thank our many helpers, contractors, and volunteers who are primed and ready, and excited to welcome you back,” said a spokesperson for the society. In the run up to the spring reopening, the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society is premiering a series of short new films about WB Yeats and Galway. These short films highlight places in County Galway that were important to Yeats and that feature in some of his finest poems, from ‘The Tower’ to ‘Coole and Ballylee 1931’. “Working with the Spot-lit programme for literary tourism, the society has been grateful to benefit from their expertise, …

A UNION has warned that further industrial action may be initiated this Thursday, April 14 following a recent one-day work stoppage, if a company doesn’t implement a Labour Court recommendation. SIPTU members employed in LISK Ireland Ltd commenced a campaign of industrial action at its manufacturing plant in Gort on Monday, April 4, with a work stoppage that began at 8am and concluded at 12 midnight. LISK Ireland’s 150,000 square foot facility is home to both manufacturing and sales of control devices, solenoids and solenoids valves since 1979. SIPTU organiser Stephen Lavelle said members placed pickets at the entrance to the plant on Monday morning. “Our members were left with no option but to begin industrial action due to a management refusal to respect a Labour Court recommendation that the company engage in negotiations with their union. “Management has ignored several invitations from SIPTU representatives to discuss and resolve concerns its members have expressed in relation to their terms and …

Gardaí in Ennis are investigating a suspicious fire which caused extensive damage to a house in the town on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred at around 3pm at the property at Gordon Drive in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis. Two units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service responded to a report of a domestic fire at the address. Several Garda units including members of the detective branch also responded to the multiple calls made to the emergency services. On arrival at the scene, fire crews found that that front door and sitting room window were both ‘well alight’. Fire crews set about tackling the blaze and quickly established there was no in the house at the time. It’s believed the house was targeted with petrol bombs which destroyed both the front door and window and caused fire damage inside. Parts of the house not directly affected by the blaze suffered smoke damage. An adjacent property was also affected by …

PLANNING permission has been granted for the construction of an air cargo hub and logistics/distribution facility at Shannon Airport. According to the planning application the facility would be 2705m2 in size, with an office area of 335m2. Shannon Group has held talks with Amazon about it opening a base at the airport, but it’s still unclear as to whether it has been lined up to use this facility. Regarding its location, the planner’s report on the application said, “The proposed 1.718 hectare greenfield site is located at Rineanna South, within the Shannon Airport lands. “It is north of the Shannon Estuary and south west of Shannon Town. The proposal would be accessed off the N19 and backs onto the airport runway. “The site is currently occupied by a manicured green area. There are large industrial buildings to the west of the proposal site, the runway to the north, the N19 to the south and more green area to the west. …

THE Shannon unit of the Order of Malta is marking 50 years of operations this year and is looking to get a premises of its own. At the March meeting of Shannon Municipal District, Councillor Donna McGettigan put forward a motion asking that the Council help the unit to acquire a place of its own. In a written response to her motion, Senior Executive Officer Jason Murphy said, “The team in Shannon MD recognises the valuable contribution the Order of Malta has made to the town and surrounding areas over the last 50years. “Shannon MD will work with the local group and explore available avenues to assist them in identifying suitable space.” Councillor McGettigan also proposed that a civic reception be afforded to the group. Lieutenant Eavan Dempsey is the officer in charge of the Shannon unit of the Order of Malta and she said it would be great if it finally had its own premises. “We don’t have anywhere …

AN Ennis home carer has been honoured for her work in the Limerick community. Omotola Ifebajo was honoured at a special ceremony at Comfort Keepers’ office in Limerick as a finalist for the Comfort Keepers Carer of the Year 2021 award. Following the judges’ selection based on set criteria and including online voting, Omotola was chosen as one of twelve finalists in the running for the prestigious accolade of Comfort Keepers Carer of the Year 2021.  Originally from Nigeria, Omotola who lives in Ennis is a mother of four children and has been a carer for Comfort Keepers for over five years. She became a carer after taking care of her own mum, an experience that showed her how vulnerable the elderly can be and the difference home support can make to their lives.  According to the nominations from co-workers and clients, Omotola is amazing at her job. She is caring and very reliable. She has so much patience and kindness and is a lovely easy …