Tag Archives: Ennis

THE son of an Ennis man murdered in the United States earlier this month will be laid to rest this weekend. Joseph ‘Trevor’ Dilger is the son Lyda Wells Dilger and PJ Dilger, who moved to Kentucky a number of years ago from Hermitage in Ennis. The remains of the 24 year old Kentucky National Guardsman were discovered in the back seat of a burned out vehicle in Lexington, Kentucky on September 4. The discovery was made by firefighters and the coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide with the cause of death yet to be released. A number of arrests and charges have since been made in connection with the death. Following his death, friends of Mr Dilger held a vigil in his honour in Lexington. He has been described as a man who “was proud to serve his country and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He always had a smile on his face and a funny story …

JUST a few years ago, ghost estates were one of the oft discussed items in current affairs but the tide has turned, with high rents and lack of houses now a more prominent feature. With this changed environment, a planning application has been lodged for a 42-unit housing development in Roslevan, Ennis. If it is to go ahead, it would be one of the only such developments be built in the area for some years. Michael and JJ Fahy have made the application for the development. It consists of eight three-bedroom ground floor apartments, eight four-bedroom duplex apartments, and 26 three-bedroom houses. The site in question is 1.78 hectares in size and the gross floor space of the works will be 4981.64m². Some 107 car parking spaces will also be provided. Planning permission was previously granted for a development at the site but that was a number of years ago and this is a new application. Diarmuid McMahon of auctioneering …

The latest survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Shannon to be among the cleanest towns in Ireland. Shannon is positioned sixth in the ranking of 40 towns and cities and deemed Cleaner than European Norms. Ennis also recorded one of its best results in years, in 14th position. While nearly all of Ireland’s main towns are now clean, pockets of our major cities continue to suffer from significant levels of litter, The study, conducted by an Taisce, showed only two of 25 towns surveyed to be littered, but 7 of the 8 bottom places in the rankings to be occupied by city areas. IBAL says councils need to concentrate on those specific areas where the problem is worst. Of Shannon, An Taisce reported: “Shannon has scored very highly, with eight out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. The N19 Approach from Shannon Airport and Exit 8 on N18 coming from Limerick were …

OLYMPIC rowers Paul and Gary O’Donovan, who won the hearts of the world after their historic silver medal win in Rio, have been described as “pure messers” by their Clare uncle. However Mike Doab, the brother of their mother Trisha, insists that despite the post race banter, the boys are very serious when it comes to their sport. Both Paul and Gary, from Skibereen, made headlines all over the world with their hilarious post-race interviews, including describing their tactics with the now immortal words of “close the eyes and pull like a dog”. The pair are the grandsons of John Doab from Connolly Villas with their uncle Mike well-known locally, having run a butchers in Clarecastle. Mike said the family are thrilled with Paul and Gary’s medal-winning ways. “They did a fabulous job, we’re all very proud of them and I can’t wait to see them.” He added, “They are pure messers, they always were. But, honest to God, for …

A huge number of people  are descending on Ennis  today (Thursday), ahead of the main competitive events that will determine who will take All-Ireland titles across 180 categories. The Fleadh Cheoil organising committee estimate in the region of 30,000 to 35,000 people attended the opening day events on Sunday, including 12,000 at the opening ceremony, the Boffin to Burren concert at Glór, the Tulla Céilí Band at Cois na hAbhna, the luminarium, aifreann traidisiúnta, the Gig Rig and evening pub sessions, as well as performers, volunteers, stage crews, security, TV crews and other service providers. This figure is expected to increase exponentially from today, with the influx of 6,000 competitors, their families and friends, as well as visitors and music and dancing enthusiasts. With this surge, gardaí are anticipating that opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing will occur and are advising the public to be mindful of this, particularly in large gatherings of people. Clare’s Garda Chief Superintendent John Kerin warned, “The real type …

After the street sessions on Monday and Tuesday, the rain on Tuesday night  kept the musicians indoors. Rain today (Wednesday) also curtailed matters outdoors but the spirit of the Fleadh continued in the Scoil Éigse classes with traditional Irish music, dance and singing. According to one of the organisers, the numbers attending the classes is at a record level of more than 900, which is evidence of the massive support for the Fleadh Down in Ennis. The classes are being attended by young people and adults from all over Ireland and farther afield. The main influx of visitors is expected tomorrow (Thursday) ahead of the weekend competitions.  

Following the official launch of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by the President D Higgins on Sunday evening, the event has taken on a tremendous festival atmosphere. The town of Ennis is thronged with visitors from all over the country and the far flung corners of the world. The first few concert and performances events have attracted  capacity audiences and have  been widely acclaimed. With big attendances at the morning instrumental classes, the fine weather has brought the music onto the streets and there has been a fantastic response to the gig rig sessions at night.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was officially launched on Sunday afternoon to throngs of people who gathered in the county town to celebrate this momentus occasion. Crowds lined the streets as the festivities began with a parade through the town centre. Ennis came alive with the sound of music, as groups found spots to set up and play awaiting the arrival of President Michael D Higgins. Special tribute was paid to the late Clare singer, Robbie McMahon whose song, The Fleadh Down in Ennis, has been rolled out once again in celebration of the talent that has descended on Ennis for the 2016 All Ireland Fleadh. Addressing the masses in Abbey Street Car Park, and those onlooking from balconies and windows overhead President Higgins, paid tribute to Robbie and this iconic song quoting, “They came from the North and they came from the East from the West and the South ‘twas a thriller to see”. Robbie was also mentioned in the …