Tag Archives: clare champion

Following the official opening on Friday 30th November 2001 by Minister Síle de Valera before a specially invited audience, over 60 great Clare performers – three generations of the best players of Clare music took to the glór stage, including Tony McMahon, Paddy Canny, James Cullinan, Tony Linnane, Noel Hill, Siobhan Peoples, Martin Hayes, Josephine Marsh, Maura O’Connell, the Tulla Ceili Band, and the Kilfenora Ceili Band, to present a night of music such as has never been heard before. With Martin Hayes and the Sawdoctors performing over the next two nights, without doubt the opening weekend of glór was one of the best three nights of music ever staged in County Clare. The opening night concert was broadcast in full by Clare FM, and RTÉ Radio One transmitted the second half. Built at a cost of €8.5m, glór was the largest investment in the Arts in County Clare. With two auditoria, seating 485 and 65 people respectively, glór hosts …

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 …

LOCAL authority houses in Old Military Barracks which haven’t been painted for over ten years have been described as “terrible”, with calls being made on the council to take action. The issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Pat Daly told how residents of Old Military Barracks on the Kilrush Road have asked for houses 19, 20 and 21 to be painted. An outdoor stairs adjacent to the houses also need to be painted, he said. The council agreed that a make-over of the outside of the houses “would enhance the general area”, however there is not enough funds in the budget the meeting was told. Councillor Daly commented, “These houses are terrible, particularly these three.” He suggested that if there is no budget that the council could pay for the paint and the residents would carry out the painting. Tony Neville, Senior Executive Engineer, stated, “No.s 19, 20 and 21 Old Military …

ON Sunday, December 5 at 7pm there will be an evening of candlelit song at Ennis Cathedral. The event will include a selection of Advent hymns, poetry and music performed by familiar faces and voices. The candlelight evening will see Ennis Cathedral Musicians and singers tell the story of Advent through music and song. Entry is free but donations if desired to the Cathedral Renovation appeal.

WATER mains in Ennis described as “problematic” by Irish Water, are being replaced this month. Irish Water, in partnership with Clare County Council, is replacing the water mains in Tobarteascáin with the national utility saying the works will improve water quality and provide a more reliable supply. The upgrade involves the replacement of over 740m of problematic water mains with new modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains in Tobarteascáin will commence in mid-November and is being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are made from lead, these will be replaced as part of this improvement work. Outlining the benefits that the mains replacement will bring, Gerry O’Donnell from Irish Water, explained, “The upgrading …

THE “catastrophic and emotional impacts” on young disabled people who have been forced to live in nursing homes has been highlighted by Clare campaigners ahead of plans for an online event this December. Clare Leader Forum are hosting ‘Empower’, a concert with a host of special guests, aimed at raising awareness of the need for a “better future for younger people deprived of their liberty in nursing homes.” The free event, which goes live on December 3 at 7pm, will also celebrate International Day of Disabled People. Those taking part will include Anne Rynne, Shannon Sisters, Fionnathan, Ann Marie Flanagan, Paddy Mulcahy, Marie Griffin, the Donnellan Dancers and many more. Ms Flanagan of the Clare Leader Forum explains, “We will be showcasing a number of very talented artists, some disabled themselves and also some local allies. This concert will be a real show of solidarity with young people forced to stay in nursing homes. “Through no fault of their own …

CLARE Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway has been appointed to a panel within the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to promote political participation of people with disabilities. Senator Conway was officially appointed to the advisory panel of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) after impressing the panel with his commitment in encouraging people with disabilities to become involved in politics.  Senator Conway, who is the first visually impaired member of the Oireachtas, said, “As a life-long campaigner for equal opportunities and rights for those with disabilities, I am honoured to have been appointed to the ODIHR Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities for a term of four years. “My role will involve providing advice, guidance and recommendations to ODIHR, and through ODIHR to the OSCE participating States, on matters related to the political participation of persons with disabilities. “The work includes the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments; legislation, policies …

AN Ennis man who had been missing from his home for nearly a week has been found safe and well. Gardaí confirmed on Monday evening that 30 year old Jason Burcombe has been located. “An Garda Síochána would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in his matter,” said a spokeperson. Jason had been missing from his home since Tuesday, November 23.