Tag Archives: clare

THE Lions Club of Ennis are ‘branching’ out their annual Remembrance Tree fundraising project, with people from all over the world now able to get involved. For the past ten years the Lions Club have partnered with the Ennis Municipal District to host their fundraising campaign for Cahercalla Hospice, placing yellow ribbons containing special messages of remembrance on a Christmas tree in Ennis’ market area. The popular fundraiser has become a firm tradition of Christmas in Clare, raising on average €13,000 for Cahercalla over the years. This year the club will be continuing that tradition, however Michael Neylon of the Ennis Lions tells us that Covid-19 has resulted in challenges with footfall not expected to be as large as it has been in previous years and fears this will result in fewer donations. In a bid to ensure that the charity receives as much funding as possible, the Ennis Lions have initiated an on-line fundraiser, meaning not just locals, but …

CLARE Haven Services are continuing to shine a light on violence against women having launched a very special virtual candlelit remembrance. Despite Covid-19 the local organisation is currently marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This annual international campaign running from November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day aims to raise awareness and to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Clare Haven’s annual candle-lit walk through the streets of Ennis remembering women and children killed by partners or ex-partners is not possible due to Covid-19. However, Clare Haven Services have joined forces with artist Emma Houlihan, Clare County Library and An Garda Siochana in developing a virtual lighted walk. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services, Clare Haven Services explains, “For the last 12 years, to remember the women who have been killed in County Clare by their partners or ex-partners, Clare …

BUILDING work on the new Ennis Scout Hall is hoped to be complete by March 2021, however it has been confirmed that the Ennis scouts still have a shortfall in funding for the development and need to raise €115,000. The Ennis Scouts 1st and 4th have recently been successful in securing a community grant from the Ennis Municipal District of €10,000 with Fiona Staunton, chairperson, saying, “We are very grateful for this and also for the recognition by the town councillors in the asset this development will be to the community. Building work is moving along and we hope to be finished by March 2021. However, we still have a shortfall.” The scouts have now launched an appeal to businesses in Ennis to support the development saying, “We cannot achieve our goal without the continued support of the wider community”. According to Fiona, “We are acutely aware that many businesses are struggling at the moment but believe this project has the capacity to …

AN Ennis childcare provider is among the winners of Early Childhood Ireland’s annual National Awards which recognise and applaud the excellent practice of educators in early learning and care settings. Maxine Ryan from Clare Family Resource Centre in Ennis was awarded the LINC Award for Leadership in Inclusion sponsored by LINC. Maxine wins this award for her work in cultivating inclusive culture, practice and pedagogy in early learning and care settings. Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, said, “The Early Childhood Ireland National Awards showcase the excellent practice in early learning and care settings. This year has been a particularly challenging one for the early years sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the high quality of the awardees demonstrates the ingenuity and tenacity which is embedded across our sector. “I would like to congratulate Maxine Ryan from Clare Family Resource Centre in Ennis and thank her for her innovative approach and contribution to the continued development of the …

WITH the country moving back to Level 3 restrictions and non-essential retailing re-opening from Tuesday the Christmas spirit has returned to Ennis with shoppers being urged to support local. Alongside free parking and pedestrianised streets, the return of the popular Ennis Street Radio bringing Yuletide cheer has been announced by the Ennis Municipal District in a bid to attract shoppers to the town centre. To promote Christmas and New Year shopping in Clare’s county town, free parking will be available in all public car parks in Ennis town every Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 6pm until Saturday, January 9 inclusive. Parking remains free of charge from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, at the Cloister/GAA car park. Similar to previous years, for the Christmas period streets will be pedestrianised on Sundays this year between 1pm and 6pm, December 6, 13, 20, 27 and January 3. To add to the festive cheer, Ennis Street Radio will be on air from …

AN elderly woman was scammed by two bogus tradesmen in Ennis last week, with gardaí appealing to anybody who may have seen them to contact them. Last Tuesday at 12.20pm two men called to the home of the elderly lady on Considine Road. They told her that her attic needed to be insulated and asked could they go up and have a look. The lady showed them the attic opening and when they came down they said that it would cost a substantial amount of money to do the job. She gave them some of the money and they then said they would need the rest before they did the job. She left and went to the credit union and these two males waited outside for her to return, when she did they took the money from her and left. These males were seen in the area in a white van with roof ladders on the top between 12.20 and …

A CHRISTMAS shopping experience with a difference takes place in Ennis this weekend. A group of local students are coming together to highlight that poverty effects people throughout the country every day of the year by running the St Vincent de Paul’s Ennis charity shop for 24 hours. The 16 members of the 4GC class at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir will completely manage the Vincent’s shop on Parnell Street from 9am on Friday until 9am the following day with bargains galore promised. Teacher Martina McNamara tells us that the students are all looking forward to doing their bit to support the work of St Vincent de Paul in Clare, taking on all of the tasks involved in the management of the charity shop. She explains, “Our Transition Years annually organise a fundraising campaign for local charities. This year the 4GC class at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir will manage and run the local St Vincent de Paul charity shop here in Ennis for …

THE show must go on for the Ennis Players despite Covid-19. This would normally the time of year when the Players would be tidying up from another year of Supper Theatre Productions. This year has been a very different year but in the true spirit of the Ennis Players, and with adherence to social guidelines, they have come through with a play which will be available to view on their new and reworked website page this Thursday. “It was an opportunity that could not be ignored,” says the newly appointed Chairman of the Ennis Players Committee Paul Corey. “We wanted to do a little give back for all those who have supported us throughout the years. Obviously it was not without its challenges due mainly to the Covid crisis but it was a chance to simply say ‘Thank You’  to everyone from our patrons to those who gave us raffle prizes and our audience in general.” Mrs Sorken written by Christopher …