Tag Archives: clare champion

A “huge opportunity” to boost visitor numbers to Ennis with the plans for a Greenway from the county capital to West Clare has been highlighted by local councillors, with calls being made on landowners to get behind the proposal. Ennis councillors Johnny Flynn, Ann Norton and Pat Daly alongside Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, at a meeting of Clare County Council, sought an update on the likely completion dates for sections of the previously commenced portion of the West Clare Greenway from Ennis to Lahinch. The councillors pointed out that there has been “significant increased Government funding announced for Greenways.” Councillor Flynn outlined that the plans had been proposed back in 2006 as he sought clarification on the progression of the Greenway from Ennis outwards. Councillor Norton stated, “After this length of time why hasn’t our Greenway come about? We hear so much about what others in other counties have to offer.” She continued, “it would be fantastic if we had another …

THE Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has announced that it is planning to transfer the management of hostels including Laurel Lodge in Ennis to other homeless charities with specialist expertise in the sector. The society says that it believes that the move will benefit those who use the services of its hostels as managing homeless hostels is moving beyond the capacity of a volunteer-led organisation such as SVP. As most of the funding for the hostels comes from the state SVP is in discussion with the respective local authorities and the HSE to facilitate the transfer of its services. There are nine hostels involved which between them have almost 300 beds per night for homeless people. In addition to Laurel Lodge in Ennis they are in, Carlow, Cork (2), Limerick, Longford, (2) Waterford and Wexford. Laurel Lodge provides 13 places for homeless men. SVP National Secretary Andy Heffernan says that as a volunteer-led organisation, the SVP structure is …

AN Ennis councillor has pledged his portion of General Municipal Allocation funding to finding a solution to the decades-long “dangerous” situation at the Corrovorrin – Tulla Road junction. Councillor Johnny Flynn at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District vowed that if funding is not forthcoming from central government that his GMA should be used to find an interim measure to improve the junction. Residents of Corrovorrin who have been regularly attending council meetings to stay updated were in the public gallery. Councillor Flynn had sought a progress report on the proposed junction improvement measures being planned and a likely completion date.   John Gannon, Senior Executive Engineer replied, “The Corrovorrin-Tulla Road Junction will be included in Clare County Council’s application for funding under the Departments low cost safety improvement works for regional and local roads to be carried out by Local Authorities during 2021. Subject to departmental approval the expected time fame for completion will be Autumn 2021.” Councillor …

CBS Primary said goodbye at the beginning of this month to its longest serving member of staff Mary Murphy, described as “a living legend” by those at the Ennis school. Mary spent 42 years in CBS, never having taught or substituted in any other school. She was a teacher, but also a parent, having sent her children to the school also. Graduating from Mary Immaculate College in 1978, she was immediately snapped up by the CBS. She taught every class from senior infants to fourth class, Special Education Teaching and also EAL (English as an Additional Language). According to school principal Dara Glynn in excess of 1,000 students over the years have benefited directly from her “outstanding teaching abilities”. During her time, she worked her way through the ranks of the school including holding the position of deputy principal and indeed principal. Mr Glynn outlined that Mary “excelled at all of those positions, hitting high standards and always leading by …

The importance of having working smoke alarms installed in the home is the key message of National Fire Safety Week 2020. National Fire Safety Week, jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, is about enhancing fire safety, particularly in the home. This year’s theme is ‘Smoke Alarms Save Lives’, or ‘Sábhálann aláraim deataigh beathaí’. The campaign will focus on fire safety in the home as the public continues to spend a greater amount of time at home during the current public health situation. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard, said, “National Fire Safety Week provides a timely reminder that there are steps we can all take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our homes from fire. Remember the STOP acronym: ‘S’ is for Smoke alarms – make sure you have at least one on every floor. ‘T’ is for Test your smoke alarm weekly, or ask someone to check it for you. ‘O’ is …

JUST weeks after glór re-opened its doors to the public following months of lock-down the venue has once again closed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. Under the Living with Covid Level 3 restrictions imposed from midnight on Tuesday across the country cultural attractions including arts centres such as glór, museums and galleries are closed. Orla Flanagan, director of glór, has confirmed that the county’s premiere arts venue will be closed for three weeks with planned events cancelled or postponed. “We are very disappointed to be closing our doors so soon after re-opening, and we are grateful for all the support from audiences, artists and the community particularly in the past month. We hope to be in a position to offer live performances and visual art before long, and know how valuable connection through art is, particularly in difficult times like these.” She stated that the situation will be continually monitored going forward. Glór’s box office will continue to operate …

A CLARE woman has been named as one of Australia’s rising stars appearing on a list of the country’s top Early Achievers. Dr Rachel Kelly, originally from Spancilhill but now working in Tasmania, is a marine socio-ecologist whose work focuses on connecting people with the ocean. Her work has been recognised among 40 Early Achievers in Research in a prestigious list compiled by national newspaper The Australian, as well as being named in the top five list of social sciences researchers. The Early Achievers Leaderboard lists the five top researchers from Australian universities and research institutions in eight major discipline areas, who are less than 10 years into their career. Dr Kelly’s research has highlighted how improving knowledge and engagement with the oceans among communities can support marine conservation. The 29-year-old tells The Clare Champion that being listed among the top 40 Early Achievers was “a huge surprise, and so great to have good news in 2020.” She explains, “The …

SHANNON’S Rebecca O’Neill has been crowned Miss Clare 2020. The beauty therapist will now go on to represent Clare in the Miss Ireland finals, with Rebecca saying she wants to use this platform to inspire the younger generation to get involved in local charities. Rebecca also wants to promote positivity and well being in her local community. The 19-year-old was presented with the crown at the combined Miss Tipperary, Miss Limerick & Miss Clare (Miss TLC) virtual event which took place on Facebook Live on Sunday. This year marked the unprecedented merger of the three events events due to Covid-19 restrictions. Siobhan Fitzpatrick from Kilmaley was named first runner-up in Miss Clare and is looking forward to the the Miss Ireland semi-finals in a few weeks time. MC for the event was former Miss Clare Lauren Guilfoyle while male model and blogger Patrick McLoughney and Former Miss Sunday World and Miss Tipperary Esme Mansergh Wallace directed. The team were keen …