CHRISTMAS pedestrianisation of Ennis’ main street begins this weekend, while free parking at public carparks is also being introduced at certain times for the festive season.
O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street will be car free from 11am to 6pm on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 to 24 inclusive. The Ennis Christmas Market takes place in Abbey Street Car Park from this Friday until Sunday and as a result, the west of the main through road, adjacent to the river between Costa Coffee and O’Briens, is unavailable from 6pm Wednesday, November 30 until 8am on Monday, December 6. Abbey Street Car Park will be unavailable during these times.
Until Sunday, January, 2 there will be no charge in public car parks from 2pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Additional parking free of charge has been made available at Clare County Council headquarters on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 from 9am to 6pm. Free parking is also available at the Waterpark Campus, Drumbiggle, on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24 9am to 6pm and the Clare GAA/Cloister Car Park daily 9am to 6pm.
Parking will be available at the Holy Family Primary School Car Park every weekend and daily during school holidays from 2pm on December 22 to  January 5 with a charge of €3 for the day to be paid at the access barrier.
The unavailability of Abbey Street Carpark this weekend is to facilitate its transformation into a festive Christmas Village with live entertainment, creative crafts and food along with a vintage carousel, Christmas themed amusements and other festive surprises. Thousands of people are expected to attend the market, running from 12pm to 7pm Thursday and Friday, Saturday 11am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm.