Tag Archives: Active Ennis

THE tragic death of teacher Ashling Murphy sparked calls for an audit to be carried out of Ennis’ public spaces to ensure they are safe. This week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard Councillor Mary Howard urge that the examination be carried out with a focus on lighting levels, footpath conditions and hedgerow maintenance starting with the Fairgreen and Lees Road. She said she was inspired to propose the motion following the “awful events” of last January in Tullamore when the teacher was killed while out jogging. “In light of recent events I believe it is important to ensure our public spaces / physical environment are safe,” she said. The councillor cited a United Nations Women’s Safety Audit as an example of what could be used to determine how safe the local environment is. “I’m putting this forward because women are asking me to, they just felt some places might be a little bit overgrown? The lighting mightn’t be …

A PITCH is being made for the provision of shelters around the playing fields of an Ennis amenity to protect exposed sports fans. Ennis’ Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Murphy says sports fans are being “drenched” on the sidelines at Active Ennis, John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged that funding be sourced to provide a large dugout or small stand to provide shelter on the perimeter of the pitches. “Provision of these would give much needed shelter from the elements to players and management of teams as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled,” he urged. He said signage should be added to indicate that priority be given to vulnerable people to use the shelter. The councillor recalled his own first-hand experience of being on the side-lines recently. “The rain was falling and it really opened my eyes to what it could be like in December or …

Clare Local Sports Partnership showcases initiatives to Minster Frank Feighan at Lees Road PROJECTS aimed at ensuring all members of society have an opportunity to take part in physical activity and sport were showcased during a visit of Minister of State Frank Feighan to Ennis last week. The Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy witnessed two of the projects in action which have been led by Clare Sports Partnership while he was at Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. John Conroy from Fitness for Fun, led an outdoor exercise class which has become a popular weekly event among older adults. Also, James O’Donohue, disability representative to Clare Sports Partnership, and Liam Casey, a wheelchair user from Ennis also showcased handcycles for those who use wheelchairs. The TD was met by board members and staff of Clare Local Sports Partnership including chairperson to the board, Tim Forde, Councillor Ann Norton, Mayor of …

EVAN Cronin is organising a swimathon for February 4, which will hopefully see 100km covered by multiple swimmers in five hours. The Active Ennis Leisure Complex will be the venue for the swimathon, which will run from 12noon to 5pm. Make A Wish is the charity to benefit from funds raised. “The whole point is to get as many people from the community involved. We have five hours to get 100km done in two lanes. It’s quite a challenge, so the more people we get involved the better,” said Evan. He is preparing for an epic swim of his own later in the year. “I’m swimming or attempting to swim the English Channel in September. Everything is booked; it’s all set to go. I’ve pledged €25,000 to Make A Wish and we’ll have to do a load of events prior to the Channel swim itself to raise all that money for them.” The event on February 4 requires people to …

Members of the public are being invited to attempt to break a Guinness World Record this festive season. The challenge related to the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place in Active Tim Smyth Park, Ennis, from 1pm to 3pm on  Sunday, January 3. The championship, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions across Germany and Austria, will see members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5-metre tree. 2014 winner, Gary O’Growney from Dublin and 2013/2015 winner John O’Dea from Limerick share the Irish record At 10.2 metres. This is under two metres short of the world record held by Klaus Pubnaz, who hurled a tree a distance of 12 metres. Last year’s U-12 section was won by Shane Kenny, while the ladies section was won by Audrey Kavanagh (4.1m). The proceeds raised by the event will go towards the West Clare Mini-Marathon Cancer Centre. Organised by Clare County Council in conjunction with …