Tag Archives: clare champion

THE EuroMillions winner who bought their ticket in Ennis has made contact with the National Lottery, it has been confirmed. The identity of the €500,000 winner still remains a mystery with more details expected to be released once the claim is fully processed. According to the National Lottery, due to the current restrictions on non-essential travel, the Clare player will be claiming their prize via an approved process, receiving their €500,000 cheque by post. The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold at The Paper Chase store in Ennis town centre. Store owner Sharon Casey has revealed that the EuroMillions top prize wasn’t the only big win for the lucky store in recent days. “We also had a winning ticket sharing the full house in Telly Bingo with a prize of €5,000 which is great. We are hoping for three in a row now, all we need is the jackpot.” She continued, “There’s been a lot of buzz since it was …

A CLARE woman has joined the fight against childhood obesity in Ireland and is urging the public to join the Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Stop Targeting Kids’ drive. A growing trend in obesity levels in children, especially during Covid, has prompted Caitriona Lynch, from Sixmilebridge, to join the campaign. The ICU nurse in University Hospital Galway has a special interest in childhood obesity having just graduated from a Master’s of Science in Obesity from NUIG. “It is clear to me that junk food companies used the opportunity (during Covid) to keep their unhealthy products centre stage in children’s minds,” said Ms Lynch. “We need to break the junk food cycle to improve children’s health. I joined this campaign because I believe a ban on junk food marketing would be a game changer in tackling childhood obesity. “As an active campaigner, I’ve been in touch with the Advertising Standards Authority about irresponsible advertising by brands loved by young people as this marketing is …

CLARE shoppers are being advised to be aware of their rights when shopping online in the January sales. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued further guidance to help consumers be aware of their rights before they shop online in the sales in January. “It can be confusing to know exactly what your rights are when you are shopping in the sales. Can you return something if it doesn’t fit, if something turns out to be faulty do you have the same rights, do you have to accept a credit note? Your rights are different depending on if you buy online or in-store and with more of us than ever buying online, it’s important you know what you can expect and what you are entitled to if something goes wrong,” said a spokesperson. Here are  the CCPC’s top consumer rights tips.  Top tips for buying online: ·         Know your rights: If you are buying from a website that is based …

A CLARE woman is flavour of the month after becoming the inspiration behind a new recipe book backed by celebrity chef Darina Allen. The time-perfected desserts created by the residents of Mowlam Healthcare will be remembered forever in the ‘Nursing Home Bake Off’ publication. But the idea to gather a collection of residents’ favourite recipes from across Ireland was inspired by the trailblazing baking skills of a 91-year-old woman in Ennis Nursing Home. Ardent hurling fan and Liverpool FC supporter, Cissie Collins, bakes scones and apple cakes for fellow residents during baking demonstrations hosted by her every Wednesday. It soon became evident that there was a large group of enthusiastic bakers throughout the group – sowing the seed of a book with recipes from bygone days. Cissie is one of the 51 kitchen-savvy pensioners living in Mowlam Healthcare nursing homes across Ireland who contributed recipes ­– some dating back three generations – and features on its front cover. “I haven’t …

THE Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke has given “a firm commitment” that the government will complete the “funding jigsaw” to develop Ennis’ historic town centre. Last year Ennis received €3.85 million in Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) support as part  of the town centre regeneration programme, which involved extensive works at Parnell Street and the network of lanes and bow-ways in the medieval heart of the town. Earlier this year Clare County Council submitted a proposal for further support under the second call of the URDF. The ambitious proposal sought funding for vital public realm works at Barrack Street, Old Barrack Street, O’Connell Square, High Street and Old Connell Street. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Joe Carey urged Minister Burke and his department “to give this key rejuvenation scheme favourable consideration”. The local Fine Gael TD said, “A number of months ago, Clare County Council lodged a further ambitious urban regeneration and development fund application to …

FLAN Hehir, of Ennis Mens’ Shed has been named Clare Shedder of the Year. To celebrate the work carried out within Men’s Sheds in County Clare, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) programme within Clare Local Development Company developed the ‘Clare Shedder of the Year’ award. This was as a recognition to the work carried out in local Sheds within the county. Men’s Sheds were asked to nominate someone they believed fit the criteria of Clare Shedder of the Year. Monica McKenna, Community Development Officer with Clare Local Development Company says, “A large number of nominations were received and after some deliberation Flan Hehir from Ennis Men’s Shed was found to be a worthy recipient. Flan joined Ennis Men’s Shed early 2014 and immediately understood the concept of Men’s Sheds and the benefits to community. He was chosen not only for the help and support he gives to his own shed but also the support he gives throughout …

CLARE people and businesses are being advised by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to be mindful of a new startup of Revenue Scam calls, which have occurred regularly in the past. A garda spokesperson explains, “The potential victim receives a phone call from a appears to be an ‘051’ number, similar to a Waterford landline number. These are what are known as Voip numbers – computer generated numbers. “The caller will try to acquire the personal information/data or bank details of the potential victim. This attempt can vary but it is usually the following examples; a tax refund is due or immediate payment for a tax bill is required, sometimes to avoid a criminal prosecution The caller will then ask for the potential victims credit/debit card or bank account details. “The Revenue scam in the past has also used both email and text message as a way of contacting potential victims, this will undoubtedly occur again this time.” The …

BUS Éireann have announced “significant enhancement” to Clare services and timetables. Funded by the National Transport Authority through the Government’s July Stimulus, it includes a new Sunday service of two round trips between Scariff/Limerick on Route 345 as well as enhancements linking Kilkee directly to Doonbeg and Lahinch by public transport for the first time on Route 336. Route 345 will see an enhanced weekday timetable with three daily round trips, Saturday timetable with three daily round trips up from one and a Sunday service with two round trips from Scariff/Limerick On Route 333 there will be enhanced weekday timetable with four daily round trips, Saturday timetable with four daily round trips a new Sunday timetable with three daily round trips and improved evening frequency. While all services will provide connections at Ennis Bus/Rail Station and wider public transport network Route 336 benefits include an enhanced weekday timetable with six daily round trips, Saturday timetable with six daily round trips, …