Tag Archives: clare

MEMBERS of Ennis Community College’s Board of Management have assured works on a new €10.2 million extension are not yet finished amid criticism of the building as “industrial” looking. BOM chair Councillor Ann Norton has pointed out that the building is not complete with a lot of planned greenery around the extension yet to be put in place. She was speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Johnny Flynn called for the building’s architect to be called in to explain the rationale behind the design. According to Councillor Flynn members of the public have been “shocked” by the look of the extension in the historic part of the town and he questioned whether the students can look out of the building. He said it would be “helpful” if the architect could explain the look of the building saying, “some people have said it looks a bit industrial. I understand that the inside is beautiful but could …

WITH workers heading back to the office and schools fully open the Mayor of Ennis is urging people to think green and get involved with the ‘Conscious Cup Campaign’. There are six businesses in the Ennis area taking part in the initiative which encourages people to bring their own cups to cafes. Councillor Ann Norton, speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, particularly encouraged schools to get behind the scheme and help “do our bit for the environment” as well as people going back into the workplace as Covid restrictions lift. “I am encouraging people to be conscious of the environment and be aware when they are drinking not to be using a number of different cups.” She added that schools can do their bit by highlighting the effect of single use cups that aren’t recycled on the environment. She stated that a lot of work was carried out in promoting the scheme pre-Covid adding “it would …

THE dedicated service of a Lough Derg RNLI volunteer over more than a decade has been recognised on his retirement. Dom Sharkey, a helm at Lough Derg RNLI has retired after twelve years service to the charity. Dom, a carpenter and master craftsman who works in building and renovation has been acknowledged as a valued member of the RNLI team at Lough Derg.   Following his final exercise on Sunday, February 27, volunteers arranged a surprise leaving party for Dom, held at Lough Derg Yacht Club on whose grounds Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat is currently stationed. Dom was presented with a woodcut of Lough Derg made by artist Henri Bocxe. As a mark of appreciation on behalf of the local community, Noreen Cavanagh, Manager at the Thatched Cottage Restaurant in Ballycommon, generously provided sandwiches for the party while members of the station also baked cakes and scones. Dom was moved by everyone’s efforts on his behalf. He reflected on how much …

A FULL 26 months after last taking to the stage, the cast and crew of Sixmilebridge Youth Club are ready to entertain and dazzle audiences once again. The club celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and they are marking the occasion by staging ‘Once Upon a Memory’, a nostalgic amalgamation featuring some of the most memorable songs, sketches and shows from the last four decades.  The show runs over three nights, kicking off next Thursday, April 21 at 7pm in Sixmilebridge GAA Hall. The other performances take place on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, also both at 7pm in the GAA hall. Having held pantomimes annually for almost two decades until its most recent performance in 2020, the youth club had also staged a variety of musical productions going back to the 1980s and 90s, winning titles at All-Ireland level in Tops of the Clubs on multiple occasions. ‘Once Upon a Memory’ aims to leave audiences wowed and …

RESIDENTS living in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis are calling for action to address an increasing amount of traffic and speeding in the locality. Their concerns were highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Mark Nestor sought the replacement of an existing speed ramp and for the erection of additional ‘slow down’ and ‘children at play’ road signage at Gordon Drive. The councillor outlined that a number of residents have made representations highlighting their worries about the amount of cars speeding on the road. He also pointed out that the popular astro-turf facility on the road is resulting in even more traffic coming into the area. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, told the meeting the Ennis Municipal District will carry out a road safety assessment in Gordan Drive giving consideration to all signage, speed ramps and line marking. “Any necessary repairs will be included in this years SMDW,” he added. Councillor Nestor welcomed the response …

Munster Minor Football Championship Round 1 Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-4 CLARE couldn’t have asked for a more ideal or indeed comfortable start to their Munster campaign after bypassing Waterford in style in Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon on Thursday evening, writes Eoin Brennan. The shot count alone of 45 to 10 in the hosts’ favour told the tale of a sorely one-sided contest that was lit up by inside duo Cathal Talty and Conor Fennell who between them accounted for 4-10 of the home side’s handsome tally. Fennell, a survivor from the minor class of 2021, raided for 3-2 including a brace of first half rebound goals in the space of three minutes that finally lifted Clare to new heights. Up to that point, Clare’s utter dominance wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard as four missed goal opportunities were matched by as many wides to only lead by 0-3 to 0-0 by the 20 minute mark. Fennell had kicked two of …

ENNIS’ first ever Friendship Seating area has been launched by the Ennis Mental Association (EMHA) in co-operation with the Ennis Municipal District. Ennis Mental Association (EMHA) is a community-based volunteer-led organisation that, for the past 30 years plus, has consistently focused attention on mental health issues and promoted wellness and well-being in the wider community. Located by the Fergus in the Abbey Street Car park, the Friendship Seating area is designed to provide an attractive and inviting space where people can sit and be open to engaging in conversation with whoever joins them. The area has been specifically designed to provide everyone, including those of limited mobility, with a convenient and comfortable place to meet, to rest and to connect with others. Maria Molloy, Chair of Ennis Mental Health Association, speaking at the official launch last Thursday, welcomed people to the new Friendship Seating Area saying she hoped it would become a hub of conversation and friendship and even become …

CLARE’S artistic community have shown their true colours of generosity by finding various ways to support the people of Ukraine. From selling artworks to raise funds for charities helping those affected by the war with Russia, to offering to give lessons to refugees who have found shelter in Clare, a number of local artists across the county have offered their support. Among those is Lahinch-based artist Michael Hanrahan who recently auctioned off one of his paintings with funds raised going to the Red Cross to help the people of Ukraine. He has also offered to provide water colour classes for Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in North Clare, believing the power of art may provide some kind of therapy for the new arrivals. Michael, who travels the world teaching watercolour painting on cruise liners, painted a view of the Algarve in Portugal while visiting the country earlier this year. He said that when news began to emerge of what was …