Tag Archives: clare

Enforcement of planning conditions were brought up at Ennis MD, as alternatives for return of popular walking bus at Ennis school are explored ALTERNATIVE options are being examined by an Ennis school to allow for the return of a popular ‘walking bus’ after access to its traditional meeting point at the Westpoint Retail Park was prevented. A meeting is due to be held between council officials and public representatives and the board of management of Ennis National School this week in a bid to find a solution which will allow the walking bus to go ahead in another location. Questions are also being asked about Clare County Council’s enforcement of planning conditions, with Ennis councillors insisting that the facilitation of the walking bus was part of a previously granted planning application. The walking bus had operated from Westpoint Business Park every morning for eight years, and late last August parents of school children were informed that the facility was cancelled due …

AN Ennis group of volunteers are working with well known Polish charity WOSP in transporting necessary supplies to the Polish/ Ukrainian border. WOSP is the biggest non-profit charity in Poland. WOSP are collaborating with local volunteers in Ennis through the local Polish School (Polanka) in transporting vital items for the Ukrainian refugees in the coming days. This is a nationwide project initiated by our Polish community. The items needed include, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, hygiene products- toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, tampons, sanitary towels, cotton wool and baby wipes. Disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Baby food and formula. Disposable gloves and face masks. First Aid items- bandages, plasters and dressings. Powerbanks, USB charging cables, battery operated flashlights and batteries. Noise cancelling headphones and earplugs along with thermos mugs and flasks. “These items can be dropped off at our unit at Tracklands Business Park, Clon Road More in Ennis – V95 F3C5 (beside Pitman Training Clare)  each day between …

CLARE had 20 site visits hosted by the IDA in 2021, according to figures presented to Clare TD Michael McNamara. In a Parliamentary Question to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, Mr McNamara asked for a breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by the IDA in Clare, Galway and Limerick in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The figures for Clare were 2019 – 28; 2020 – 16 and 2021 – 20. In each year the number for Clare was lower than the two other counties. Clare had 64 visits over the three years while Galway had 98 and Limerick had 120. The figures includ e-Site visits, which were obviously more practical during the various lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. The written response to the Parliamentary Question also stated, “In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020. “IDA Ireland has developed a suite …

A FAMILY who left Ennis in recent years have opened their hearts, and their home, close to the Polish / Ukraine border to those fleeing the Russian invasion. Marcin Piotrowski and his wife Marina Sestasvili-Piotrowska who lived in Ennis for more than a decade with their children have been playing a key role in providing support to Ukrainian people escaping the conflict. As well as giving Ukrainians refuge in their guest house Chutor Gorajec in Poland, just a few kilmotres from the border, they have also been co-ordinating the gathering and distribution of vital supplies including food, tents, medicines and blankets for those still waiting to cross the border. Marcin and other volunteers regularly cross the border into Ukraine to bring donations to those in need, while Marina looks after those who have come to their guest house seeking shelter. A warehouse has been set up to house the donations which have been flooding in from all parts of Poland …

THE people of Clare are being urged to don their county colours in solidarity with the people of Ukraine this Wednesday. A march for Ukraine will be held at 6pm on March 2 at the Fair Green, Tim Smythe Park in Ennis. The event has been organised by concerned Irish and Polish people living locally who wanted to show their support for the people of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion. A spokesperson for the organisers told us that they are encouraging people to come along with their Clare county flags and colours as the saffron and blue is similar to the Ukraine yellow and blue flag. “This event has been organised as an opportunity for us as a community to share our solidarity and our grief with the people of Ukraine, and to call for further action to be taken to end what is happening. “People can bring a candle, and because the colours of the Ukrainian flag …

WHILE students might not usually want to get in deep water with their teachers, one Ennis school is turning the tide when it comes to learning new skills. Scoil Chríost Rí’s ‘Kayak le Chéile’ club has been making waves with students since it was launched in 2020. Now efforts are being made to improve the experience even more with plans in place to install a ramp to allow greater access to the river for the club. A recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard that discussions are underway with stakeholders about the design of the ramp. The need for the ramp to be installed was raised by Councillor Mark Nestor who described the establishment of the county’s first school kayaking club as a “great achievement”. He acknowledged teacher Joe Garry for his efforts with the club which has gone from strength to strength. He said that a ramp would be “the final piece” in the development of the kayaking …

BUSINESSES in Shannon are being approached by Clare Fire Service in a bid to encourage people to join the service with Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly admitting recruitment in the town is “a challenge”. Shannon Fire Brigade has been approved to increase its crew from 12 to 15, however at the moment there are nine at the station. A recruitment video, visits to businesses, a webinar and meetings with Shannon Chamber are just some of the methods the fire service has been using to encourage people to get involved. Chief Fire Officer Kelly presented a review of the objectives of the 2014 Fire and Emergency Operations Plan at a meeting of the Physical Directorate Strategic Policy Committee this week. He outlined that the “objectives have been achieved and exceeded in many instances. Clare County Council have continued to provide resources to its Fire Service in order that the service to the public is maintained to the highest standards, and …

RESIDENTS of neighbourhoods in Ennis are “living in a nightmare” fearing a return of flood waters, a meeting of councillors heard, as it was confirmed funding has been made available to carry out a feasibility study aimed at finding a solution to the issue. The worries of residents from Victoria Court, the Lahinch Road and lower Cloughleigh were highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. Councillor Pat Daly stated that flooding is a “big issue” for residents in these areas. He pointed out his brother is among those affected saying, “They are living in a nightmare, always worried there could be a flood in their gardens and houses.” At the meeting Councillor Johnny Flynn sought an update on previous requests for a solution to the flooding affecting properties in the area. He recalled flooding in 2012 / 2013 left one businessperson counting the costs after €30,000 in catering equipment was destroyed. “This urgently needs to be addressed,” …