Tag Archives: clare champion

THEY may had to cut this year’s show short due to Covid-19, but the Ennis Musical Society still managed to hit the high notes at this year’s AIMS awards. The local group, who had to cancel this year’s production of Seussical the Musical just days into its run, took home the title of Best Programme at the annual awards which Rachael Culligan, chairperson of Ennis Musical Society has described as the “equivalent of the Tony Awards” in amateur musical society circles. The society had a total of three nominations in the competition, also coming in runners up in the Best Actor category for Brian Roche and Best Singer for Hazel Park. “We were delighted with the win, and we were delighted to get nominated in three categories because it’s not easy to get an AIMS nomination. The AIMS amongst the musical creative circles is quite highly regarded, it’s the amateur equivalent to the Tony Awards.” She paid tribute to all …

THE Clareabbey Roundabout is “a death trap” for cyclists and pedestrians and the notorious blackspot must be made safe as soon as possible before lives are lost, a Clare TD has said. Deputy Joe Carey spoke out after Clare County Council confirmed it is currently finalising a “feasibility and options report” for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the roundabout. The local Fine Gael TD has written to the local authority and TII for a progress update in which he outlined the serious danger the roundabout currently poses to cyclists and pedestrians. Deputy Carey said, “The extremely dangerous situation we have at Clareabbey Roundabout has dragged on for years and it’s vital that this death trap for pedestrians and cyclists is finally made safe as soon as possible before more accidents occur. “Transport Infrastructure Ireland are awaiting a feasibility report from Clare County Council and I look forward to the local authority making their submission in due course so …

IRISH Red Cross members in the Clare area have recorded 3,240 voluntary hours since the beginning of Covid-19.   The dedicated volunteers in the county’s four branches have been busier than ever since the beginning of the pandemic, despite Covid-related restrictions curtailing many of their usual duties. In the wake of national volunteering week last week, the Irish Red Cross are asking the people of Clare to consider becoming an Irish Red Cross volunteer to help support the vulnerable in their community.   James Lafferty, Ennis Branch Community Support Officer, says that while there was an influx of volunteers during Ireland’s first lockdown, many of those volunteers have since returned to their day jobs and don’t have as much time to deliver groceries, collect prescriptions or transport people to routine appointments.    “I know some people think you need special skills to be a volunteer but every pair of hands is appreciated and drivers with a D license are especially needed at the moment to help with transporting people …

IT was music to the ears of Bunratty farmer Joe Melody to discover that he has been named Clare Macra Young Farmer of the Year. Having come on top at the county rounds, Joe will now go on to represent Clare in the 2020 Macra na Feirme FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition. Joe runs both a dairy and beef enterprise. The Clare native milks a herd of 139 Holstein-cross British Friesian cows, along with a pedigree herd of Charolais and Limousin cows. In 2015, Joe was milking 75 cows and since then have expanded and are now milking 139 cows; however, the hope is to go further again and milk around 160-170 cows in the near future. Explaining the expansion of the dairy enterprise over the last few years, Joe said, “We bought a lot of breeding stock, from a local farmer, such as in-calf cows and heifers, as well as breeding our own replacements. At the moment, …

THE concerns of residents in Ennis’ Turnpike about speeding motorists have resulted in plans to develop traffic calming measures. Members of the Ennis Municipal District have agreed to a plan to install traffic calming ramps at the Turnpike Road and Limerick Road. The works include the removal of an existing traffic calming ramp; refurbishment of two existing traffic calming ramps; installation of five new ramps and the provision of all associated signage and road markings. A report furnished to members of the Ennis Municipal District outlines that the traffic calming measures are proposed “due to a number of concerns raised by residents in the area about traffic speeding and traffic volumes”. Following surveys a design was prepared in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, 1994 and associated Regulations, the Traffic Management Guidelines and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets. Four submissions were received in relation to the proposals, including one by Councillor Johnny Flynn. The councillor outlined his …

A SERIES of smartphone classes for older people in a number of libraries across Clare will begin at the end of September. The daytime classes will take place in the libraries in Ennis, Shannon, Scariff, Kilkee and Ennistymon. The four-week programme will include a session on Zoom video conferencing and the WhatsApp platform so that participants can learn how to connect with others and how to avail of online classes and activities. The tutor-led classes will be of two hours’ duration and will take place in the mornings or afternoons. Numbers at the classes are limited due to current restrictions. The classes are specifically for those who do not have a smartphone or have just recently received one. Karen Fennessy, Age Friendly Development Officer for Clare County Council, has advised that many older people felt isolated when cocooning during Covid-19 restrictions. Other Council staff on the Clare Covid-19 community response helpline also noted requests for service provision for older people, …

GARDAÍ in Ennis have seized illegal fireworks worth approximately €1,000 and questioned a suspect as part of Operation Tombola. The discovery was made when Gardaí searched a car at Drumbiggle Drive, Ennis shortly before 10pm on Tuesday. No arrests were made but gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. “An Garda Síochána continue to target issues arising from the sale and use of illegal fireworks & associated anti-social behaviour as part of ‘Operation Tombola’. Anyone with information about the importation, sale or use of illegal fireworks is asked to contact their local Garda Station,” stated a spokesperson from the Garda Press Office.

Gardaí have seized €21,500 of suspected cannabis in Clare. Shortly after 7.30pm on Monday, September 21, gardaí from the Kilrush Drugs Unit, assisted by uniform Gardaí from Kilrush, executed a search warrant at a house in the Kilmurry-McMahon area. During the course of the search Gardaí discovered €16,000 of suspected cannabis plants. As Gardaí continued to search the property they discovered €5,500 of suspected cannabis herb. All of the suspected drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. No arrests have been made but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry.