Tag Archives: clare champion

A NEW film featuring Clare award winning writer and poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa has been released this week, and people in the Banner county will have the opportunity to see it on the big screen in Ennis. Described as an intimate exploration of Doireann’s world and creative process, Aisling Trí Néallaibh: Clouded Reveries is a film about memories, motherhood and the mysterious nature of creativity. The acclaimed poet and essayist, raised in Kilnamona, was catapulted into the international literary spotlight in 2020 with the publication of her debut novel A Ghost in the Throat. Lauded by critics from the New York Times to the Guardian, it went on to win the Irish Book of the Year. Aisling Trí Néallaibh: Clouded Reveries is an exploration of Ní Ghríofa’s world and creative process. Captured through intimate performances of her own work and in-depth interviews, the film reveals Ní Ghríofa’s creative impulses and journeys with her to the heart of her inspiration, her home place …

ENNIS has once again claimed the title of ‘Ireland’s Friendliest Place’. The county capital scooped the award at the AIBMS Retail Excellence Awards ceremony at the Galmont Hotel last weekend which also saw Clare’s Wild Atlantic Optician win Optician of the Year. Ennis retail stores made a huge impression on the mystery shoppers in July of this year to secure the town a shortlisting for this award, along with Ashbourne and Moynalty in County Meath, Monaghan Town and Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim. This was followed by a public vote which took place in October.   Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy said, “This recognition is testament to all those retailers in the town who are committed to making Ennis a great place to visit and shop. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to vote for Ennis.” She added that this award follows other recent successes for the town with awards …

A SURVEY should be carried out to ensure the condition of housing estates in the charge of the local authority is “kept up to a certain level” with an annual maintenance programme put in place, an Ennis councillor has suggested. Councillor Ann Norton was speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District councillors where the “appalling condition” of footpaths and the road surface in a residential area of Ennis was highlighted. An assessment of the Maiville estate in Ennis was sought by Councillor Mary Howard who stated, “The footpaths and road surface in Maiville is in an appalling condition, man-hole covers are a number of inches above the road surface and are a health and safety risk.” She stated that the man-hole covers are “very dangerous” and she urged the council to take action “as a matter of urgency”. Ian Chaplin, acting senior executive engineer confirmed that the estate is in the charge of the local authority and …

PLANS for the delivery of a “much needed” local bus service for Ennis town and its environs are driving forward with confirmation the National Transport Authority have “advanced” their design and are due to undertake a route inspection this month. However, former mayor of Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn, who has been a long time campaigner for the service has criticised the “snail’s pace” of the project and is calling on the county’s Oireachtas members to attend the next meeting of the Ennis Municipal District and push for the service’s delivery. Details of the progress of providing a local bus were outlined at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where the service’s importance was emphasised by local councillors. Seeking an update on the service, Councillor Paul Murphy insisted that a local bus service is “vital” for the town of Ennis. “I am requesting a progress update on provision of a much needed local bus service for Ennis Town and …

PLANS for an extension to an Ennis primary school, to include the first Early Intervention Unit at a mainstream primary school in the town, have been put on hold as an appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala. The appeal to the two-storey extension of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg has been submitted by a Glenina resident who had previously lodged an objection to the plans with Clare County Council on behalf of a number of residents living in the Gort Road estate. The An Bord Pleanala appeal argues “traffic problems and anti-social behaviour are problems that already exist” in the area and the proposed development will add to this. “Trucks and diggers and building traffic will be in and out of the estate for a period of 18 months. This is a residential area were people work from home and work shift work and are entitled to live in a peaceful atmosphere,” the appeal states. The original objection documentation to …

ENNIS-BASED online company Mama’s Boobie Box was out front and centre on display in last Friday night’s edition on the Late Late Show. The company took part in the Small Business Special, and its prominent position on the show has meant a boost for the two-year-old venture. Founder, Petrina O’Halloran has said, “Since Friday night we have being inundated with messages of goodwill and support for the business”. “We weren’t sure which spot we would get on the show, as there was nearly 100 businesses represented. We are so proud to have Mama’s Boobie Box centre on stage, it definitely lit up on set.” Mama’s Boobie Box offers the practical essentials a new mum needs for breastfeeding all packed in a gift box. Petrina, a native of Galway, now living in Ennis with her family, founded the business back in November 2020, and went live with the website in March 2021. Petrina who held a role in finance in London, …

A STRATEGY aimed at improving the lives of older people in Ennis has helped the county capital win a prestigious national award. The Ennis Age Friendly Town Strategy (2021) has won the ‘Age Friendly Environment’ award at the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2022. The Age Friendly Environment award recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind. Simple additions such as adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages.   The Ennis Age Friendly Town Strategy was formulated and implemented by the Ennis Age Friendly Town Team, a group formed by the Age Friendly Programme Manager and led by Ennis Municipal District. The strategy contained actions across a number of areas including improvements in the physical environment, urban policing, social and recreational infrastructure, health and wellbeing and age-friendly …

IT was glamour all the way in Ennis last Saturday as the town staged a day-long fashion and wellness extravaganza to showcase the variety of independent shops the town offers. Organised by Experience Ennis, the jam-packed event certainly put the fun back into the traditional shopping experience.  The day-long event kicked off at 11am with a prosecco brunch in Ennis’s hottest new venue, The Monks’ Society, formerly Cloisters Restaurant.   This was followed by a fashion show where broadcaster Lorraine Keane and stylist Laura Jordan discussed the latest trends and style tips and introduced highlights of the season from over 16 participating Ennis boutiques.   Following the fashion show, visitors went on to enjoy a wide range of events, entertainment and promotions in boutiques across the town.   Such was the buoyancy around the town, retailers reported a 30% increase in sales, and others noted it was the equivalent of Christmas Eve.  The day was wrapped up with a ‘Sex and Wellness’ panel discussion in …