Tag Archives: Ennis

A SITE has been secured for the construction of a new €25 million St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis. The construction of the 100-bed, community nursing unit on five acres of Diocesan lands located near the Turnpike in Ennis will ensure that elderly care services remain at the heart of the county town, according to Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen. Deputy Breen said, “I am delighted that a site has been secured at this central location in Ennis for the construction of the new €25 million St Joseph’s Hospital. The sale of the 5.09 acres of land remains subject to planning permission for the development of the 100 bed Community Nursing Unit, but I believe the site provides the best option following the appraisal of a number of sites in the Ennis environs by the HSE. “The new state-of-the-art St Joseph’s Hospital building has been prioritised in the HSE Capital …

THE Friends of Ennis Hospital/Shannondoc group are planning a protest for Sunday, May 5, at 3pm. The group also say that some 2,000 people have signed its petition, looking for full A&E services in Ennis to be restored. Sunday’s protest is one of three planned across the region in the coming days, as public anger about the trolley crisis at University Hospital Limerick continues. “Our friends in Nenagh are arranging a protest on Friday, May 3, we will be sending representatives to Nenagh to lend our support. There is a protest planned for 1pm on Saturday, May 4 at City Hall, Limerick in relation to the ongoing crisis in UHL and we are sending a speaker to that meeting too. “We have several speakers lined up for Sunday who have personal experience of the horrors of UHL’s emergency department. We will also be reading into the public record a list of the local election candidates who have refused to sign …

TWO Ennis families will come together, a year on from Ennis Rugby Club’s U-15s North Munster Cup win, to present a newly-established Brothers in Arms Cup dedicated in memory of Jack Kenneally and Shay Moloney. On April 28, ahead of the first anniversary of Jack and Shay’s tragic passing as they enjoyed the summer sunshine swimming in Ennis, the Kenneally and Moloney families will join in solidarity to present the cup to the new U-15s champions.Coaches Eamon Connaughton and Pádraig Brennan decided to dedicate a new North Munster Cup in memory of the two players, who are deeply missed but never forgotten. Shay’s mother Fiona said, “The cup means so much to us as a family; it is lovely. We were so involved.Most of my Sundays for years were spent on the sideline, so it was like they were all my children. Shay’s favourite things were family, rugby and friends and they were one family. It’s beautiful to have Brothers in …

2019 is not a bad time to become president of Ennis Chamber, as Gwen Culligan is doing, with the town’s economy in a relatively sweet spot, while still strengthening and improving. Gwen is co-owner of the County Boutique on O’Connell Street, with her sister Maeve Flouch, and it is a family business that goes back to the 1960s. The business was a huge part of Gwen’s childhood. “Our playground was O’Connell Street. After school, at lunchtime from school and whatever, we’d be there. I’m from Clon Road, so we’re real townies,” she laughs. Her mother worked in the business right up until her death in 2005. Gwen was away for a number of years working in AIB but has been in the shop for around 30 years now, placing her at the heart of Ennis commerce. She has also been active in the chamber for quite a long spell. “I’ve been involved in the chamber on and off for years. …

COLAISTE Muire, Ennis Transition Year students, Alice Larkin and Rebecca Keane, have won two of the five categories in the annual Press Pass journalism awards scheme. The results were announced on Monday. Alice won first prize in the sport category, while Rebecca won the photojournalism section.  Alice’s article was a piece on Limerick hurler, Shane Dowling, following Limerick’s All-Ireland win. The judges praised Alice for the angle she took on the article and joked about a Clare person writing an article about a Limerick hurler. Rebecca’s picture told a story about the difference in generations depicted by her granny’s hands, holding a set of rosary beads and her sister’s hands on a mobile phone. She was commended by the judges for her image and the thought provoking nature of it.

  The development of a new state-of-the-art Ennis primary school will “stand the test of time” for future generations, according to An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Speaking at the official opening of Scoil Chríos Rí, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on Friday morning, the Taoiseach told students and staff they had an “incredible campus” with “wonderful new school buildings”. The new modern spacious facility has resulted in the demolition of old prefabs and the provision of high-tech equipment in each classroom for the 210 pupils and 26 staff. Deputy Leo Varadkar said he was delighted to be present to open these “magnificent school buildings”. The Taoiseach said this modern new learning space was a credit to everyone in Ennis and the country. He said all the Oireachtas members who were present on the day including Minister of State, Pat Breen, Deputy Joe Carey, Deputy Timmy Dooley and Senator Martin Conway were all strong advocates for the county. The Taoiseach was also joined for the …

THE late Laura Brennan was remembered very fondly at a service of remembrance in Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon. Laura’s father Larry paid tribute “to the many people who have supported the family including, the people of Ennis who have wrapped their arms around us since Laura went public with her campaign.” The cathedral was packed and heard from chief celebrant, Fr Pat Malone that Laura “is testimony to a great truth, that one person can make a difference.” Among the hundreds of people who attended were Colonel Liam Condon, Aide de Camp to President Michael D Higgins, Caroline Burke, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Health Minister, Simon Harris and RTE broadcaster, Ryan Tubridy. They heard Laura described by Fr Malone as “a selfless giver who spent her energy to her last so that others may be spared the ill health that she experienced.” Laura had been laid to rest earlier in Drumcliff Cemetery in Ennis at …