The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
MEMBERS of the business community, particularly those in the hospitality sector, are being invited to attend a briefing on Monday night to hear about the latest event management plans for the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
The non-statutory information session, which is being coordinated by Clare County Council in its role as co-ordinator of the statutory agencies for major events, takes place in the Temple Gate Hotel at 6pm.
The event will be addressed by Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh, chairman of the Fleadh executive Committee, as well as by representatives of Clare County Council, An Garda Síochána, Clare Fire and Rescue Service, and the HSE.
Having narrowly missed out on winning the right to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in the past four years, Ennis was named ahead of Sligo and Drogheda as the host venue for the prestigious annual event earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of the briefing, Ger Dollard, director of services, Clare County Council, said, “The hosting of such a large-scale event in the town of Ennis will bring with it many opportunities but will also give rise to many impacts on the town over a 10-day period. The statutory agencies have begun to assess the implications of such a large-scale event and wishes to ensure that all sections of the community also advance preparations so that a successful, safe and enjoyable event can be hosted by Ennis in August next.
“It is clear that the very large crowds in attendance will give rise to significant changes to normal arrangements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout the town,” added Mr Dollard.
“The proposed location of a gig rig in Abbey Street car park also results in a range of management issues that require to be addressed and which will also impact those operating in Ennis town. There are many other aspects of the event that will require detailed planning and management by the organisers. These will also result in a change to normal operating arrangements.”
The briefing takes place in advance of a formal event licence application being made to the planning authority for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by the Abbey Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The event licence process also provides for submissions by the public.
