Tag Archives: clare champion

FOR many years, Clare Youth Service has been using the ‘Natural Highs’ approach to promote positive mental health and self-esteem through exercise and outdoor activity. Now, the Drugs Education and Prevention Project (DEPP) at CYS has teamed up with Ezra Zane Fitness to provide beginner calisthenics programmes for young people in Ennis. An integral part of the DEPP is to promote healthier lifestyle choices and provide young people with the opportunity to engage in physical exercise. Calisthenics is a form of bodyweight resistance training that focuses on strength, balance and flexibility and it is the most recent addition to the activities on offer at CYS. A new programme will start on October 21 and Eve Wood Hennessy of Clare Youth Service is encouraging young people to give it a try. “Ezra will works closely with a group of young people and youth workers, teaching them the basics of calisthenics,” said Eve. “Throughout the programme, the group will practice fundamental movement …

THE brother of a Clare woman brutally killed 16 years ago has insisted “the justice system is wrong” as the family fear her murderer’s move to an open prison means he is being prepared for release. Ann Walsh from Pella Road, Kilrush, was 23 when she was murdered in the grounds of St Senan’s Church, Kilrush on August 24, 2005. Raymond Donovan from Cooraclare was convicted of her murder at the Central Criminal Court in Ennis with Mr Justice Paul Carney imposing a mandatory life sentence following a unanimous guilty verdict by a jury. Ann’s brother Stephen believes that Donovan should spend the rest of his life behind bars, insisting, “Life should mean life”. However, he says his family was devastated to learn that Donovan had been moved to Shelton Abbey open prison, believing this is the final step on the path towards eventual release. Stephen also hit out at the Irish Prison Service saying the family is not being …

THE first post-lockdown survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Ennis again in third position in the ranking of 40 areas nationwide. While the majority of surveyed towns have cleaned up over the past 12 months, litter in the country’s main cities has worsened to levels not seen in ten years. Portlaoise emerged as cleanest town. The study found no fall-off in PPE litter across the country. The An Taisce report for Ennis stated, “Another excellent showing for Ennis, cementing its position among the cleanest towns in the country. There were no heavily littered sites. Woohoo… Ranking THIRD NATIONALLY in the @IrishLitter IBAL survey. Well done to all our volunteers and @ClareCoCo staff 👍🚮♻️@GreenerClare @SuperValuIRL @TidyTownsIre @mrstidytowns @ClareEcho @RTENationwide https://t.co/mFZ9MsqNnB — Ennis Tidy Towns (@EnnisTidyTowns) October 18, 2021 There was plenty of repaving of the town centre sites (e.g., Parnell Street, see below), including many of the laneways off the main shopping streets – these laneways looked great. Despite …

CLARE County Library’s History Week is running from October 16-22, with its programme covering the county during the revolutionary period. There will be exhibitions, online lectures, music and talks, with most of the programme accessible at www.clarelibrary.ie. Dr Joe Power will speak on Clare and the Civil War, Áine Hensey will speak on the Rebel Priests ofMullagh – Fr Pat Gaynor and Fr Michael McKenna and Rita McCarthy on the County ClareNursery (Mother and Baby Home). Distinguished historian Mary McAuliffe will talk on Republican Surveillance of Women during the War of Independence with reference to Co Clare and Sinéad McCoole, who specialises in the history of Irish women, talks about Mná100 – Explore a Century of Change. Joe Ó Muircheartaigh will present an audio documentary about the friction between the East and Mid Clare Brigades during the War of Independence called Brigades at War and Brian Spring will launch his Primary School Resource Pack The Brave and the Bold: the …

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins led the tributes to legendary musician, broadcaster and producer Tony McMahon who has died at the age of 82. The acclaimed accordion player was the son of PJ and Kitty McMahon and grew up in the Turnpike, Ennis. Tony was described as “one of Ireland’s iconic presences among musicians” by President Higgins who noted the “great sadness” of the music community on hearing of his passing. “Tony brought to performance in so many forms, places and venues the talent of a maestro. To hear him play Port Na bPúcai, for example, was to feel transported into another world,” said the president. “His commitment to traditional music and to the friendship of his fellow musicians was full of integrity. “On behalf of Sabina and myself, agus mar Uachtarán na hÉireann on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I send my deepest condolences to Tony’s family and friends, and to the wider music community at home and …

Councillor highlights ‘traffic mayhem’ in Ennis with delivery drivers unable to access parking spots THE “abuse” of loading bays in Ennis’ town centre is the cause of much of the traffic congestion on the streets of the county capital, according to the deputy mayor. Speaking at a meeting of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Paul Murphy hit out at those who do not use loading bays correctly as well as those parking on double yellow lines saying he experienced “mayhem” in the town while driving during the summer months. The councillor was speaking as calls were made for the provision of additional loading bays to be installed on every retail street and car park in the town. Councillor Johnny Flynn proposed the idea saying delivery drivers are being left “frustrated” when they cannot find a loading bay to bring goods to the town’s businesses. He pointed out the vast majority of businesses on O’Connell Street do not have rear access for …

Hotel employee springs into action to save guest experiencing cardiac arrest AN Ennis hotel worker and Irish Red Cross volunteer has been hailed a hero after saving a man experiencing cardiac arrest while at a family event. Anthony Quinn, aged 21, works at the Old Ground Hotel and was on duty when he was alerted that a man in his 50s had collapsed in one of the function rooms and needed medical assistance. Anthony, who is trained in CPR through his volunteering with the Irish Red Cross told The Champion, “I just went down to him straight away and there was a crowd gathered around him and I could see he was turning blue. “My training just kicked in and I went and checked his pulse and assessed him to find he was in cardiac arrest. I rang 999 and co-ordinated with the emergency services and commenced CPR.” Every minute of a cardiac arrest is vital and Anthony asked the …

AN animal loving local family is set to feature in not one, but two, episodes of a new Irish language television show. The O’Brien family from Ennis are appearing in Peataí!, a show where experts give advice to pet owners, broadcast on both BBC2 Northern Ireland and RTÉ One. The second show in the series, which will be broadcast this week, will feature 12-year old-Sophia and her brother nine-year-old Sam bringing their pet tortoise Dr Smallfoot to the vet. Next week’s show will see six-year-old Ben and their mother Maggie bring their Old English Sheepdog Lollipop to Paul the groomer. Dad Kieran told The Champion that the family, including little brother Max, are “very excited” to see themselves appear on screen this week. He explained that they first became aware of the show when flyers were distributed at the children’s school. “The kids asked me could we do it, and I sent off a few pictures. There was a lot …