Tag Archives: clare champion

AN overpass should be constructed at the Clareabbey Roundabout to allow pedestrians and cyclists cross safely, Ennis’ deputy mayor has insisted, accusing Transport Infrastructure Ireland of “dragging its heels” on safety concerns. Councillor Paul Murphy has described the roundabout on the N85 as “a disaster from day one that needs to be addressed immediately”. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the Clarecastle councillor said it “beggars belief that TII are still dragging their heels, still having reviews and studies, and there is nothing concrete going on.” The councillor, who has regularly highlighted the danger the roundabout poses to cyclists and walkers who wish to cross the road, said that it has “cut off the village of Clarecastle and Ennis from each other”. The councillor had sought a progress update on a preliminary design report which was required to be submitted to TII before final approval. He also urged that a pedestrian and cyclist overpass be designed with …

EFFORTS to improve a local beauty spot for the enjoyment of the entire county have been given a €50,000 financial boost, however a lot more funding is needed to complete the project. Funding of €50,000 has been approved for the Ballyallia Lake Amenity Enhancement Plan under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton, who worked with Barefield Tidy Towns in launching the Ballyallia Lake Amenity Enhancement Plan, while welcoming the funding announcement says she is hopeful that the project has now been “put on the map” when it comes to securing much needed additional money. “We are delighted that we are starting to see money coming in because there is quite a big project in Ballyallia and it will take a lot of money over a long period of time. “This is really the start of the opportunity to enhance Ballyallia. We have done the feasibility study, the recommendations are there, and we want to …

IT isn’t child’s play for youngsters living in the Limerick Road area of Ennis with a “dearth” of family friendly facilities in the locality, a meeting of local councillors has been told. Councillor Mary Howard, speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District called for a suitable site to be identified to provide a playground or other facilities suitable for small children. The councillor told how she had been approached separately by young mothers who are not local to the town, now living along the Limerick Road. “Their husbands are working out of town and have the car with them and there is no-where for the mothers to bring their children.” She said that amenities such as Lees Road and Tim Smythe Park are too far to walk unless the weather is good. She acknowledged the “great work” of the council in setting up community playgrounds, and suggested that new playgrounds could be included under planning conditions for any …

Poignant Christmas song hits number 2 on iTunes, just behind Mariah MOVE over Mariah Carey, it looks like there is a new queen of the Christmas song – and she lives in County Clare. Ennis-based Deirdre Devally, an MA Creative Writing student, has penned a new song ‘Christmas in Dublin’ in a collaboration with Niall Teague which is proving to be a festive hit. Sung by Anne Brennan the track is 60-year-old Deirdre’s first song release and recently reached number two in the iTunes holiday song chart for Ireland. “It was behind Mariah Carey, in front of Michael Bublé, Bruce Springsteen and other huge names. It has got USA and Irish airplay,” she told The Champion. She described the reaction to the song as “phenomenal” saying she couldn’t believe it when she saw its position in the Irish charts. “It’s so thrilling and exciting.” Deirdre, who is originally from Dublin but has lived in Ennis for 24 years, explained that …

A GROUP of Ennis students will brave the elements this Friday in a bid to highlight the plight of those who have been ‘Locked Out of Education’. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir Transition Year students have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the barriers to education many young people face because of rising rents and other costs, while also raising funds for the St Vincent de Paul. As part of this, on Thursday, December 9 from 9am to 6pm they will be taking over the running of the St Vincent de Paul shop in Ennis while on Friday night the students will be sleeping out at the school. The campaign is part of the students’ Young Social Innovators project and money raised will go towards the St Vincent de Paul’s work in supporting struggling students. Gaelcholáiste an Chláir Transition Year Co-ordinator Martina McNamara explains that the students were moved to act when they discovered that over 230,000 students attend third level …

AN Ennis girl who touched the hearts of the nation with an appearance on last weekend’s Late Late Toy Show has described the experience as “amazing”. 12-year-old Isabella Sydney Mulvey was born with Lumbosacral Agenesis which necessitates her using a wheelchair as her legs were amputated at the age of seven. On the show, which has been watched by 1.8 million people all over the world, Isabella spoke with host Ryan Tubridy about her favourite sensory toys and her ‘Adventure Book’ which includes all her favourite wishes including a dream to visit the Louvre in Paris. She was then surprised by Ryan who revealed she and her family would be going on a magical trip of a lifetime to the French capital including a visit to Disneyland Paris. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week Isabella said, “Being on the show was great, it was amazing. Ryan was really lovely and nice.” She said she is “very much looking forward” …

WORKS are underway to provide updated maps outlining the areas benefiting from the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme, the Ennis Municipal District has confirmed. The flood maps may be used to assist the insurance industry in determining the cost and provision of flood cover to homes and businesses in the local area. Details of the works were outlined at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District following a notice of motion by Councillor Paul Murphy. The councillor had sought on update on a response received in February after requesting the municipal district and Clare County Council collaborate  with stakeholders such as Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Ennis Traders Group and Retail Excellence Ireland in preparing a document, detailing the improvements to the flood defence system and outlining how the risk of flooding has been minimised as a result of the works completed. “Information provided in the requested document was to meet the requirements of Insurance providers from a risk management …

WOOL might be more closely associated with Christmas jumpers at this time of year, but one Ennis school has used their knitting skills to create a very special addition to the festive season. Ennis National School’s ‘Crafty Crew’ have created a community Christmas tree with the help of parents, grandparents and others. The tree is now standing proudly in the window of Insomnia in the Ennis Shopping Centre on Francis Street for all to see. The tree and accompanying festive display is made of hundreds of squares of knitting. Earlier this year the school put out a call to the public to donate squares of knitting which have joined the patches created by the students. Teacher Ciara Harding tells us they were delighted with the response, and the students were thrilled to see their tree put on display. “Over the past three years we have combined our work at school with squares from parents, grandparents and friends of Ennis National School …