Tag Archives: clare champion

THE road in the Tobarteascáin area of Ennis is being used as a ‘rat run’ prompting calls from residents for speed ramps to be installed in the area. The Ennis Municipal District has confirmed that traffic and speed surveys are to be carried out in the location. Highlighting the matter at the monthly meeting of the local authority, Councillor Mary Howard stated, “I have received numerous complaints from residents from Tobarteascáin regarding ongoing traffic issues.” She said, “There are certain sections of the road where people can’t cross because of the speed of the traffic. It’s being used as a rat run and it’s only getting worse.” She added that drivers are “going around corners at speed” and she urged that more speed ramps be installed. The motion was seconded by Councillor Johnny Flynn who acknowledged the improvement works that have been carried out in the area in recent years. “Unfortunately with upgrades to roads some drivers don’t take into …

THE University of Limerick has got a five star rating in an influential global ranking. UL has achieved the highest possible standard in the new QS Stars Rating System, the only university in Ireland to achieve this in 2021. UL joins an exclusive group of universities worldwide to receive the overall five-star status in the ranking, which is considered one of the most influential and credible ratings for universities globally. The QS Stars Rating System was launched in 2009 to assess higher education institutions more broadly than rankings alone and five stars is the maximum score that can be achieved. It is compiled by education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector. The five-star rating is valid until March 2024 and follows a rigorous and independent data collection process and analysis of performance metrics by QS. The evaluation process at UL lasted five months and focused on the …

THE face of Ennis journalist and television presenter Colm Flynn is being used by scam artists to target victims on Facebook, it has emerged. Colm, who is currently based in Rome and working as the Vatican correspondent for a global news network, has warned people to beware of the scam which is being used to obtain people’s credit card details. While the fraudsters have used the name ‘Colm Fllyn’ for the Facebook page, they have used a number of photographs of the real Colm alongside many videos of his various television reports in order to make the page seem legitimate. Under the profile photograph the page states it belongs to the “broadcaster from Ireland based in Rome, Italy! I love people and their stories.” The page goes on to state that ‘Colm’ wants to share his joy with followers on Facebook by randomly choosing somebody to win €1,000. It then urges people to follow a separate link to enter a …

ENNIS’ Temporary Covid-19 Town Centre Mobility Plan, resulting in parts of the town closed to traffic, has been described as “very conservative” with calls being made for restrictions to be lessened. The Ennis Municipal District have confirmed that a review of the plan is scheduled to take place after the current lock-down measures are eased. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the local authority, Councillor Pat Daly urged that the council and the mobility stakeholder group keep the traffic situation under constant review with a view to re-opening selected streets if the county’s Covid numbers continue to improve. He said that many business owners are “tired and upset” over the ongoing street closures. “The pandemic has caused severe damage to their livelihoods” he said, expressing the hope that there may be “light at the end of the tunnel” in the near future. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy voiced her support to the motion, saying the pandemic has been “very, very hard …

THERE was shock in Ennis this week with the confirmation that one of the county town’s most popular establishments would be closing its doors for good. The multi-award winning Food Heaven has been a firm favourite since it was first opened on Market Street in 2006. However on Friday it was confirmed that the cafe and delicatessen had closed permanently. Since the announcement owner Noirin Furey has been “overwhelmed” with the number of good wishes which have been described as “very humbling”. A post on Food Heaven’s social media page stated, “I am very saddened to announce that Food Heaven will close on a permanent basis, on Saturday, April 3 2021. I sincerely thank all those who over the last 14 and a half years have worked closely with me, and have made such a positive contribution to the success and reputation of the business. It was a pleasure having you on this journey.” The statement continued, “I would like …

ENNIS is “becoming a problem area” with calls being made for the setting up of a special Joint Policing sub-committee with a specific focus on the county capital. This week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District saw councillors raise concerns about anti-social behaviour which has been linked to the use of tourist buildings as homeless accommodation. Residents of Hermitage and Considine’s Terrace in Ennis have reported anti-social behaviour including incidences of drug dealing and intimidation associated with some living in Ashford Court under the Winter Initiative Project. While concerns have also been raised about residents at Westbrook House, a former bed and breakfast on the Gort Road being used for emergency accommodation. Councillor Johnny Flynn raised the issue at the meeting, requesting a report on the planning and development status of the ongoing homeless and emergency accommodation use of tourist accommodation buildings at both Ashford Court, and Westbrook.  He insisted that all councillors are “fully committed” to providing social housing. However …

A “DANGEROUS” stretch of road in Ennis needs to be lit up with more and more walkers using the route, a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District has been told. Councillor Mark Nestor proposed at the meeting that the local authority request Clare County Council “explore the possibility of installing public lighting on the Golf Links road”. The councillor said that he has received numerous complaints about the lack of lighting from members of the public saying it is a popular location for walkers. “They told me this is a very dangerous stretch of road in the darkness. We are all very much aware that we are limited to our 5km due to Covid-19 restrictions and this is a very popular loop,” he said. Eamon O’Dea, Senior Engineer, responded, “The Ennis Municipal District recommended planning conditions on developments at Ballymacaulla, Beechpark for a special contribution to cover the cost of the provision of public lighting on Circular Road from Golf …

AN innovative ‘talent mapping’ project will position Clare as an attractive location for inward investment, Clare County Council’s Director of Economic Development believes. Clare County Council in partnership with Irish technology company, Abodoo, have launched the initiative aimed at mapping the talent and skills of those living and working in Clare. The aim of the project is to develop ongoing live skills mapping for the county, align with Clare’s growing international business profile and showcase the broad talent Clare has to offer. The work will leverage Abodoo’s AI skills data information technology in order to identify the skills that exist within Clare. The Talent Mapping Technology will provide ongoing anonymised data analysis of the skills in Clare, both for persons residing here, as well as the diaspora or those working remotely wishing to relocate to a setting with equal access to urban and rural life, and which allows for improved work life balance. The data provided to Clare County Council …