Tag Archives: Ennis

AN Ennis resident has won two international business awards for public relations and communications in Barcelona. Nicola Corless, originally from Mayo but who has been living in Ennis for the past 10 years is to receive a Gold and a Silver Stevie® Award at the 14th Annual International Business Awards, which will be held in Barcelona in October. The awards recognise her work within the Marketing and Communications Division of University of Limerick. UL was the outright winner in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Global Issues category for which it will receive a Gold Stevie® Award. The university marketing and communications division also won a Silver Stevie® Award in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Low Budget (Under $10,000 / € 7,000) category. Judges described the public relations campaign, Meet the Mesentery, The Organ Hiding in Plain Sight, led by UL’s Communications Officer Nicola Corless, as “an excellent showcase of PR skills and story-telling …

An innovative way of encouraging members of the family to get out and exercise together has been launched by Clare Sports Partnership. The ‘Adventure Walks Clare’ Smartphone App encourages parents and their children to walk or run up to 2.5 km around the town of Ennis and Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road, whilst playing a treasure hunt game. The seven trails featured on the free app include adventures designed for families with children aged between 6 and 14. Councillor Tom McNamara, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council and Clare Sports Partnership Board member, said, “Innovations like the adventure app are wonderful examples of the initiatives that Clare Sports Partnership uses in order to get more and more people active.” “Anyone who is a parent or guardian of young children know the issues we have in getting our children to walk any distance,” explained John Sweeney, Coordinator, Clare Sports Partnership. He continued, “We are also aware of the growing problem …

  The crowds came out in force again this year as Michael Flatley opened Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis for 2017. Ahead of playing a tune on flute, accompanied by his friend Ger Fahy, Michael Flatley told of his love for music and dance and commended the organisers for putting on another wonderful festival this year. He paid tribute to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for all the work they do and for bringing music into his life. “Labhras Ó Murchú who was dear friends with my father, God rest his soul, brought music to Chicago when I was a young man and I can never say thank you enough. Thank you to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann because they brought that little ray of sunshine into our lives, they are the ones who got me started playing music. I’m sure most of you here would have benefitted in some way from that wonderful organisation,” he said.  Reflecting on his family, who encouraged …

Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley will officially launch Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the largest Irish Traditional Music Festival in the world, in Ennis tomorrow, Sunday August 6 at 2.30pm in the Abbey Street Car Park in Ennis town centre. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is delighted that the man who revolutionised Irish dance, and who previously took to the stage at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis in 1977 as a competitor, will now return to the Clare county town 40 years later to declare the Fleadh open to a new generation of competitors. For many, the Fleadh is the culmination of months of hard work and practice as they compete against fellow musicians, singers and dancers to achieve the recognition of being an All-Ireland champion. For others it is a unique and welcoming festival of the best of traditional arts that offers a wide range of activities to be enjoyed by all. Shannon Airport has come on board once again as the …

WHILE the Fleadh is set to bring a carnival atmosphere to Ennis, sadly and inevitably a certain amount of people will be struggling and the Samaritans Festival Branch are coming to town to offer their support. Around 23 members of the branch from all over Ireland will be in Clare, where it is expected they will offer confidential emotional support to around 200 people next weekend. Sean Higgins, director of the Samaritans Festival Branch, explained volunteers at centres around the country also volunteer to travel to festivals. “There are about 70 volunteers involved in the festival branch and about 23 of them will be in Ennis. They’re from all over the country, from Coleraine, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin and, obviously, people from Ennis.” They talk to anyone in need of a listening and supportive ear. “We take our base in Ennis and we go out to the streets. We stand around, we have a little badge, we say hello to …

HOW can visitors, or even locals for that matter, best explore the streets of Ennis and its many amenities? A new Adventure Walks Clare app, promoted by Clare Sports Partnership, can send you in the right direction. Users of this new app can choose from four different trails in Lees Road and three in Ennis town.To complete each trail, there are a series of questions to be answered or clues to find as you work your way through the trail. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and, more importantly, it is free. The app was launched last week at Lees Road by Clare County Council cathaoirleach Tom McNamara. Also present at the launch were Tim Forde, general manager, sports and recreation, Clare County Council, and others involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Catherine Ryan of the sports partnership said they decided to launch the app ahead of the All-Ireland Fleadh, as it would beneficial for the thousands of visitors who would …

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 …

A 21 year-old Kilrush man charged with assaulting the late Karl Haugh causing him serious harm told gardaí after caution, “Nobody was supposed to die that night”. Robbie Walsh, of 20 Island View, Kilrush appeared before Judge Marie Keane at Ennis District Court this Tuesday morning charged with assault, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm, to Karl Haugh at Marian Estate, Kilkee on Sunday, August 6. During the brief hearing, Garda David King gave evidence of arresting and charging Mr Walsh at 5.53pm on Monday. He said having been cautioned Mr Walsh made the following response, “nobody was meant to die that night”. An application was made by solicitor Edel Ryan of Patrick Moylan Solicitors for free legal aid and this was granted. An application for bail was refused by Judge Keane following a bail hearing. She directed that while on remand that all appropriate intervention regarding drug addiction be made.