Tag Archives: Ennis Chamber

O’CONNELL Street is set to be transformed in the coming weeks with plans for the introduction of a ‘parklet’ unveiled by the local authority. A parklet is an extension to the footpath offering seating and amenities. The measure has already proven popular in other parts of the country as part of efforts to support social distancing. CEO of Ennis Chamber Margaret O’Brien, reacting to the initiative, commented, “I’m looking forward to seeing how it will work.” Clare County Council have announced the move on a pilot basis from early August, however if successful the initiative may be rolled out to other parts of the county capital. Ms O’Brien commented, “Clare County Council’s idea for a parklet is something which seems to have worked in other towns and cities around the country. It’s a concept that started in the States and has also been popular in England. The parklet will be introduced on O’Connell Street with street furniture and a deck …

SHANNON and Ennis Chamber presidents, Stephen Keogh and Allen Flynn, are calling on everyone in county Clare to “stop, look, shop and stay local” to support business owners who have had to courage to get up and running again, albeit while incurring extra costs to ensure that their premises are safe and that their return to work measures are in line with Government protocol. The past four months have taken their toll from the initial stages of lockdown to the gradual re-opening of the economy and now the postponing of phase four until early August, which has added another level of angst. “Feedback from all types of businesses within the county is that they are delighted to welcome their customers back. Our call therefore is that we should all think local whenever we need to buy something, be that at a retail or service level,” the Chamber presidents said in a joint statement. “Look to local suppliers first before travelling …

CHECK your wallets or down the back of the sofa and you might just come across some gold. Over €65,000 worth of Ennis Gold vouchers sold last year have yet to be used at retailers in the county capital, Ennis Chamber have confirmed. The Chamber are encouraging people to redeem these vouchers in the coming weeks, giving the public an opportunity to buy something new while also supporting local businesses, many of which have been affected by Covid-19. Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O’Brien says that with over 70 local businesses aligned to that scheme, the choice of where to spend those vouchers is huge. She said, “Of the vouchers sold last year over €65,000 Euro worth have yet to be redeemed. Spending those vouchers now will pump cash into the businesses where they are spent. We urge people to spend their vouchers over the coming weeks, local businesses will be immensely grateful to receive them.” A business boost is even …

THE newly-elected president of Ennis Chamber is carrying on a family tradition, having taken on the role previously held by his father more than 40 years ago. At its recent AGM, Ennis Chamber elected Diarmuid McMahon, managing director, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, as president and Gwen Culligan, co-owner of County Boutique, as vice-president. They will both serve a one-year term in their respective role. Diarmuid will be no stranger to the position, following in the footsteps of his father, Dermot, who served as president of the Chamber for three years, from 1975. The newly-elected president succeeds William Cahir, of Cahir & Co Solicitors, who he congratulated for energising the Chamber during his term. This, in turn, he said, has instilled a positive perception of the work and role of Ennis Chamber among businesses in the town. A qualified chartered accountant, Diarmuid is the fourth generation of McMahons to manage his family business, which has been trading in Ennis since 1900. The …

ENNIS is pulling out all the stops when it comes to reaping the benefits of coach tourism, including job creation and increased visitor numbers. The county capital will shortly be the first in the country to offer an accredited course for tour guides. It is expected that the Certificate in Arts in Local Heritage Tour Guiding, run through Limerick Institute of Technology, will be up and running in the coming months. Details of the initiative were unveiled at this week’s meeting of members of the Ennis Municipal District. Councillor Johnny Flynn, a member of the Ennis Coach-Friendly Committee, called for financial support to be given for its delivery. The course will be run as a joint tourism initiative between the local authority, local businesses, Ennis Chamber and LIT. The venture is the result of efforts being made to capitalise on Ennis’ achievement of Coach-Friendly Destination accreditation last year. Brian McCarthy, acting director of services, explained, “A working group/committee was formed …

AS Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann departs Ennis for Drogheda in 2018, plans are already underway to see what large-scale events will follow after the county town proved itself on the national stage. Ennis Chamber president William Cahir said he has already been involved in two meetings this week, looking towards building on the success of the Fleadh. “What we have shown is that we can host large-scale events. Clare County Council put in a major investment with Irish Water by tapping into the main sewers around the town so that the facilities are all in place. So we are now open to business for large-scale events,” he said. As to what that event or events may be, Mr Cahir said “we are the authors of our own destiny but we are certainly going to make sure we find something that is suitable for the town”. He said businesses are eager to continue this momentum, by either establishing a new event …

BASED on the Sligo experience, Ennis Chamber is expecting a major increase in crowds for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Chamber president William Cahir said figures provided by the organisers of the Fleadh in Sligo reveal a major increase in footfall from 900,000 in year one to 1.2 million in the second year. Mr Cahir said there is also evidence of people living abroad travelling in huge numbers to sample the great music and atmosphere at the festival. “If the weather holds up, we would expect much bigger crowds this year, particularly for the main weekend. Some people stayed away last year, due to the inclement weather,” he noted. “The reputation the Fleadh gained from the superb quality of the music in Ennis last year will also attract large crowds,” he added. The office in the Market has confirmed that most of the accommodation providers in the county town are effectively full. Most enquiries for accommodation are for Friday, August 18 …

PROPOSALS by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that would see a motorway service area located on the M18 will suck local business out of Ennis, if given the go-ahead. That’s according to the new president of Ennis Chamber, Will Cahir, who has criticised the selection by TII of the site 1.5km north-west of Newmarket-on-Fergus as the preferred location for a motorway service area. The president and local solicitor has said it is an effort to persuade local people who travel on the commuter belt to shop, buy fuel and eat at the new facilities, rather than use existing outlets in Ennis, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Quin. “10,000 vehicles per day travel on the Ennis to Shannon commuter belt. If a motorway service station captures this trade, this is business lost to Ennis and surrounding villages. Motorway service stations should be designed to serve people using the motorways and not positioned for the purpose of hoovering business from local communities,” he said. The …