Tag Archives: clare champion

IRISH Water has been accused of creating “a huge obstacle” to the development of rural Clare. At a meeting of the council’s committee on Physical Development, frustration was aired at the fact that the authority is striving to protect water quality while Irish Water is unable to provide critical infrastructure in some locations. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy made her comments following a presentation from Ruairí Ó Conchúir of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO). Mr Ó Conchúir outlined the pressures on waterways across the Mid-West region, after which the Fianna Fáil member asked him if he believed there is a policy problem when it comes to funding waste water treatment. Thanking Mr Ó Conchúir for his presentation, the Ennis member noted the recent criticism of Irish Water by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the discharge of raw sewage at a number of coastal locations. “I want your opinion on this,” she said. “Do you think a different approach needs …

Society ideal for those looking for love says chairperson as plea issued for male voices “WE need men”. That’s the message from the Ennis Musical Society who have put out a desperate plea for the men of county Clare to get involved in their upcoming show Legally Blonde. As if taking part in a fun show isn’t enough of an incentive, chairperson of the society Rachael Culligan reveals that the society is the ideal place to be for those looking for love. She describes the group as “almost the Tinder of Ennis” with many couples meeting and falling in love after joining. “It’s kind of a wonderful dating service I would say,” she laughs. The Ennis Musical Society are holding auditions for the show in January, and Rachael is urging men to put themselves forward. Auditions had been scheduled to take place this weekend, however the society have decided to pause those plans due to Covid-19 and they are instead …

A BIKE rental scheme for Ennis town and its environs would be the solution to a shortage of parking in the county capital, Ennis’ Deputy Mayor believes. Councillor Paul Murphy made the call for the introduction of such a scheme to be “prioritised” as part of the Ennis Town Mobility Plan at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. The motion seconded by Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton who voiced her support. The proposal will be considered in the Ennis Town Mobility Plan, Leonore O’Neill, senior executive officer with the Ennis Municipal District confirmed. Councillor Murphy stated that the inclusion of a bike rental scheme “should be a key component” of the mobility plan for a number of reasons, to improve mobility and also to give more options to people who want to come into town.” He added that the villages of Clarecastle and Barefield should be included in the proposed scheme. “People could come and park on …

A LUCKY Clare lotto player scooped €457,080 in Saturday night’s draw. The most coveted prize in Irish Lotto history remains up for grabs after Saturday night’s record breaking €19.06 million jackpot draw continued to roll without a winner. However Clare player matched 5 numbers and the bonus ball to share a €914,160 prize pot with a Donegal winner, with each player winning €457,080. The player in Ennis purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw at the Tesco store in Ennis Shopping Centre while the Donegal winner picked their own numbers on a Normal Play selection on Thursday, November 25 at Kernan’s Spar store in Ballyshannon in County Donegal. As no additional funds were added to the capped Lotto jackpot, the funds that would usually go to the jackpot were instead distributed to the next prize tier at which there was a winner and in Saturday’s, this was the Match 5+Bonus category.  The National Lottery are …

GARDAÍ at Ennis are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 30-year-old Jason Burcombe who is missing from his home in Ennis, Co Clare since Tuesday, November 23. Jason is described as approximately 5’ 6” in height, of medium build, with short fair hair and blue eyes. When last seen he was wearing a black jacket, dark grey tracksuit pants, a grey beanie hat, navy runners and white socks. His family are concerned for his wellbeing and are seeking assistance from the public in locating him. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station 065-6848100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

AN out of this world song created by a group of Ennis students has helped them secure top prize in a national science video competition. Coláiste Muire Ennis Transition Year students Neila Ryan, Gemma Hannon, Laura Hayes and Aimee McNamara were among the winners in the ReelLIFE SCIENCE Video Competition Awards. The students were named winners in the Best Science Song category, voted for by the public, for their tune ‘Are Aliens Real?’ School principal Jean Pound explained, “ReelLIFE SCIENCE is a novel science video competition for Irish primary and secondary schools, which aims to promote science in the classroom and beyond, by inviting students to produce a short video communicating a scientific topic in an engaging and entertaining way.” She outlines that Neila, Gemma, Laura and Aimee wanted to make people aware of the possibility that aliens actually do exist with their short video clip. “In their song they outlined how big the universe really is,” said Jean. “They …

AN Ennis woman is urging others to get on their bike to support a charity cycle in aid of two worthy causes this December. Liz Constantinescu is among a group of people who are planning on taking on a 500km cycle relay to raise funds for Brain Tumour Ireland and Cahercalla Hospice. Liz tells us that they are doing the cycle in honour of a friend, and they are hoping that others will follow them in taking up the challenge. “The money raised for Brain Tumour Ireland will go towards researching advances in brain tumour treatment and supporting the brave patients and their families. The donations to Cahercalla Hospice will help to improve the quality of life of their patients. “We are doing it in honour of a close friend who is currently unwell, but continues to face her diagnosis with such bravery and dignity and always a smile on her face. Feeling heartbroken and helpless in the face of this …

PEDAL power has helped to raise over half a million euro for branches of Down Syndrome Ireland in Munster, including Clare. 2021 will certainly be a year to remember for Tour de Munster, not only as the Tour celebrated its 21st edition, but also raising a phenomenal €522,201-  its largest sum to date for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. The grand total was revealed at a cheque presentation on Saturday with cycling legend and long term supporter of the Tour, Sean Kelly, presenting the cheque. Jean Hanrahan of Down Syndrome Clare said, “A huge round of applause is in order for all those involved in this year’s Tour de Munster. It’s truly great to see that, despite the circumstances of the past 18 months, 2021 has been the most successful Tour to date in terms of funds raised. From us all in Down Syndrome Clare, we can’t express our gratitude enough. ” Since the tour began in 2001, …