Tag Archives: clare champion

THE first interment of ashes has taken place at the new columbarium at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul. Ennis Cathedral is the first Cathedral in the country to offer a columbarium for the interment of ashes. The development of the columbarium was approved by the Pastoral and Finance Committees of Ennis Parish last year while planning permission was granted by Clare County Council. Local builders Michael Clancy and Michael McInerney recently installed the facility which was consecrated as a place of rest by Bishop Fintan last month. On Saturday the ashes of Michael Fitzgerald were the first to be interred in the Columbarium in a ceremony led by Fr Tom Ryan. Mr Fitzgerald, who passed away in August made the decision with his wife Ann and his family that he would be cremated and interred in the Cathedral. Mary Quinn, who was married to Ann Fitzgerald’s brother Jim and who died in London in May 2019, was also …

WITH the long awaited and welcome return of live entertainment, an exciting event like no other is on its way to glór. The Iron Annie Cabaret will be travelling the country in style, with 15 dates scheduled this autumn including right here in Ennis on Thursday, November 18. The show is based on Luke Cassidy’s critically acclaimed debut novel which The Irish Independent described as “probably the most ambitious and well-written debut this year.” Now, as producer, Luke Cassidy is bringing that same story to the stage. The Iron Annie Cabaret tells the story of Aoife, and her doomed relationship with the beautiful but capricious Annie. Set against the backdrop of a larger-than-life criminal underworld of Dundalk, their adventures also take them on a whirlwind trip across the Irish Sea to offload ten kilos of cocaine swiped from a rival. A Juncture Arts production, the Iron Annie Cabaret stars actor Eleanor McLoughlin as the inimitable Aoife, and is directed by …

A LOCAL initiative hoping to bring some Christmas cheer to older people and families is appealing for donations to ensure it can support as many people as possible this festive season. The appeal is being organised by the online Clare Free to a Good Home community, with founder Ennis’ Tina Whelan saying “We just want to give people a lift and are grateful for any donations, the more we raise the better. “Something which might seem very small to one person, is something very big to somebody else.” This is the third year that the project has been undertaken by Clare Free to a Good Home, a social media group which allows people to donate unwanted items to others. Last year the fundraiser supported making the Christmas dreams come true for five Clare families, with even more families receiving donations of turkeys and hams among other items. This year there is a particular focus on helping older people this year, …

THE descendants of two Clare men who took part in a hunger strike in Mountjoy prison in September 1917 will lay a wreath at a unique commemoration in Ennis this weekend. Officers from the Irish Prison Service will take part in the ceremony marking one of the most significant events in the revolutionary period. In September 1917, 38 men including 16 from Clare, took part in the hunger strike in Mountjoy prison, changing the course of Irish history. This Sunday’s ceremony will commence at 12 noon at the monument to the Clare Mountjoy Hunger Strikers at the Monastery Park, Cappahard, Ennis. Mary Crawford chairperson of the Mid Clare Commemoration Committee described this weekend’s commemoration as “very significant” given the involvement of the Irish Prison Service. Governor James Kelly, Mountjoy Prison will give an address as part of the ceremony. Ms Crawford explains that the local group were contacted by the Irish Prison Service to support the holding of the event …

THE turnover of Clare’s retained firefighters is “like a revolving door” with 47 people leaving the service since 2016, a meeting of Clare County Council was told this week. However, council CEO Pat Dowling has insisted “Clare Fire and Rescue Service is not in a state of crisis.” Councillor Liam Grant, who works as a retained firefighter in Ennistymon, outlined that a full crew at Killaloe fire station would usually consist of nine firefighters but there are just seven at the moment. “There’s a lot of pressure being put on those seven and if they don’t get back-up, I’m full sure some will resign. When fully staffed we have 75 retained firefighters in the county. Since 2016, 47 people have left the fire service in Clare that weren’t at retirement age. We’ve had a turnover of about 60% in the last few years. It wasn’t because they retired, they just didn’t want to do it anymore. This is not sustainable”. He …

ENNIS singer and guitarist Síomha has released her new single ‘Spéir Rua’ (Red Sky) ahead of this weekend’s performance in glór. The single gives a first glimpse of what to expect from her upcoming album ‘Infinite Space’ which is due for release in 2022. Speaking of the track, Síomha says, “Spéir Rua is a love song for the landscape of the West of Ireland. It was inspired by many late night drives after gigs when I lived right on the West Coast at the edge of The Burren. “As I got closer to home, I was lucky to witness the beautiful red blaze of the morning sky. Nature was giving her best performance and in those moments it felt as though I was the only spectator. I would stop and sit alone and watch the night sky light up and become a new day.” She continues, “Spéir Rua is one of my favourite tracks from my upcoming album. It’s exciting, …

THE Ennis Trad Fest returns to the county capital this week following the cancellation of last year’s event due to Covid-19. The 27th year of the festival, running from Thursday November 11 to until Monday, November 15 will be a scaled back event from previous years because of the ongoing effects of the pandemic. However a host of events have been organised including a session trail throughout the town, album launches, trad discos and concerts. Highlights include three concerts in the Queens Hotel featuring renowned performers. On Friday night Tola Custy and Cyril O’Donoghue will perform live tracks off their critically acclaimed 1994 album “Setting free” followed by a trad disco with DJ Ollie Mullooly. Saturday night the popular and multi-award-winning quintet Goitse will perform with another trad disco afterwards. And on Sunday Angelina and Peter Carberry, Dan Brouder and John Blake, the Five Star Quartet and Colm Murphy will take to the stage. Organisers say they are “delighted” to …

ENFORCEMENT action has been taken against an Ennis business man who promised Playstation 5s to customers which never arrived. Unwar Anwar trading at Innovate has been directed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to immediately issue refunds to consumers who have not yet been refunded and to cease engaging in misleading commercial practices, including providing misleading information to consumers Despite the findings of the investigation, when contacted by The Clare Champion Mr Anwar insisted that he didn’t mislead anybody. “The issue was dealt with months ago. I don’t believe I was misleading anyone. We were let down and so were many other retailers. Everyone has been issued a refund now,” he said, adding he had no further comment to make. The consumer watchdog took the action against Mr Anwar following a number of complaints by consumers who placed orders for Sony PlayStation 5s, but failed to receive them or a refund. Mr Anwar has been directed by the …