Tag Archives: Ennis

CLARE County Council has opened a Book of Condolence in memory of Laura Brennan, RIP, in the public foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis. The Mayor of Clare, Councillor Michael Begley, has invited members of the public to sign the book and join people from all over Ireland and beyond in marking Laura’s legacy as “an inspiring and courageous advocate and ambassador for the HPV Vaccination Programme.” “Many knew Laura for her advocacy work in favour of the HPV Vaccine after receiving a diagnosis of terminal cervical cancer.  To those who knew Laura personally however, it was her courage and her amazing positivity that defined her,” said Mayor Begley. He continued, “When Laura first approached the HSE in 2017, she made it clear that every parent in Ireland who was about to make the decision whether their daughter was to be vaccinated against HPV, would hear her story first.  Laura’s story was most certainly heard when she appeared on …

HPV vaccine campaigner Laura Brennan has lost her battle with terminal cancer on Wednesday. The Ennis woman who had become one of Ireland’s leading patient advocates and campaigners for the HPV vaccine passed away on Wednesday at University Hospital Limerick. In a statement the Brennan family said, “Laura was a light in the life of everyone who knew her; a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. We are lost without her. “We are all incredibly proud of the work she did in the last 18 months to help protect other young women like herself from the cancer that has taken her life today. Laura used her voice, her generosity and her energy to help parents to make informed choices and protect their daughters from cervical cancer. She wanted to make a difference, and use the time that she had to right what she felt was a great wrong.” The family have appealed for privacy. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised. …

THE objections of local residents to a new 1,000,000ft² data centre counted for little on Monday, as a proposal to vary the County Development Plan to facilitate the project at Toureen, on the outskirts of Ennis, was unanimously passed by Clare County Council. The council claims that the project could deliver 200 permanent data centre jobs, another 150 ancillary jobs and 50 maintenance jobs. Some 1,100 construction jobs would be supported over five years of construction. At the council meeting, director of service Liam Conneally reiterated his view that if the project goes ahead, it will be “a game changer” for Clare and Ennis. However, the data centre would not be one of the three largest employers in the county even if what is projected comes to pass. Prior to the meeting, members of the council got a report from chief executive Pat Dowling, which summarised a number of submissions that had come in from the public, including one from …

PLANNING permission for the permanent use of a site at Tullassa, Ennis for clay shooting hasbeen denied. The planning application had also sought additional recreational use, including archery, golf driving and compact sport clay shooting. Local residents claimed that the noise from the site is unbearable, said that they have to leave their homes when shoots are happening, in a series of objections they made to Clare County Council. Describing the area in question, the Clare County Council planning report stated, “The subject site is located in the townland of Tullassa, approximately 3km north-west of Ennis town. The site is a greenfield site accessed by a dense network of narrow local roads with poor vertical and horizontal alignment and with sections with restricted forward visibility. The roadway serving the site is narrow (2.5m) and there is no space for two cars passing. Sections of the road have deep drains on either side, with no margin to pull in, in the …

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PLANNING permission is being sought for 68 houses at Roslevan, just off the Tulla Road in Ennis. The application has been made by Datcha Construction, a Ballynacally-based company, which lists John and Anne Kelly as its directors. A document submitted with the application states, “A proposed planning application is tobe made for 68 dwellings to add to the existing Cluain Ros Leamhan estate in Roslevan, Ennis, Clare”. It also adds, “The site is located approximately 3km from the Ennis town centre to the north of Tulla Road (R352). The site is accessed via the Cluain Ros Leahmain Road, which connects to the Tulla Road at the roundabout south of the site. The development is the northern part of the existing Cluain Ros Leamhain housing estate. To the south of this is the Avenue United Football Club and the Grove Bar and Restaurant. To the east of the site is the Sean Dun housing estate. Finally, on the northern and western …

THE preferred contractor for the €8.6m Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme has been revealed. Civil and MEICA Engineering Contractors, Ward and Burke have had a letter of acceptance signed by Clare County Council, with the contract to be finalised on March 8. “This essential work will afford flood protection to over 120 homes and five commercial properties along the Clare Road, including homes in estates such as Ard Aoibhin, Abbey Ville, Abbey Court, College Green and College Grove. This work will also provide flood protection to St Flannan’s College, Ennis,” Deputy Pat Breen said. “Like many others, I was disappointed to learn last July that the then preferred contractor for the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme had formally withdrawn its tender. However a commitment of €8.6 million funding for the project from the OPW was secured and ring-fenced allowing for the project to go to tender again immediately. This project is the final element in the main €39 million programme …

THE latest news and views from Clare Champion journalists Carol Byrne and Owen Ryan. This week they discuss the inquest into last May’s double drowning in Ennis, the plight of Shannon Airport, the Kilkee murder trial, LIT opening a Clare campus and the impact of smartphone use on young minds.