Tag Archives: Ennis

AFTER losing his wife Jackie to cancer in England, Cathal Shanahan moved back to Clare and started to put the pieces back together, living and working in an area he had left decades before. The grief hit him hard and fast after Jackie’s death but, having set up a business in Ennis, lost weight and taken up exercise, he feels he is making a good fist of things again. “She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had the treatment for that, she had chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and then radiotherapy. That was fine. She had about 10 months then until it came back. When it came back it was only ever going to be palliative, it had spread. She passed away about two and a half years after that. That’s two years ago this August,” he says. Watching his wife dealing with terminal cancer was very difficult. “It was very tough but we were very lucky as well. With Jackie’s work …

A FINAL appeal for memories of the Turnpike has been made by Flan Hehir from McNamara Park, who has been working in recent months on compiling a new book exploring the history of the area. Flan’s new publication will explore the history of the old and new Turnpike area. The book is being produced in conjunction with Clare Roots Society. Last year, the partnership, in conjunction with the residents of McNamara Park, produced a booklet to mark the 50th anniversary of the first replacement houses to the Old Turnpike. Flan has been carrying out research over the last 18 months, travelling the town and country, collecting memories and photographs of the houses and tales of former residents. While his extensive research has uncovered many interesting stories, he is urging anyone with any information they feel could be useful in the book to contact him. “The current appeal is for contributions of photographs, documents, invoices and memorabilia of all kinds associated …

Grave concerns about the impact of a proposed bilateral trade and investment deal between the European Union (EU) will be outlined at a public meeting this week. Lecturer Barry Finnegan will present a case why the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) should be vigorously opposed during his talk at a meeting in the Temple Gate, Hotel, Ennis this Wednesday night at 8 pm. Mr Finnegan is a lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism & Media Communications, Griffith College and a researcher with the Irish branch of the international civil society group ATTAC and with the TTIP Information Network. According to the EU, this crucial trade agreement that will help create hundreds of thousands of jobs and pump billions of euros into economies on both sides of the Atlantic. It says a successful pact is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. That’s because almost half (49%) of Irish exports outside of the EU end up …

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, has allocated €100,000 for the hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann in Ennis this August. The allocation is part of Fáilte Ireland‘s national funding of just over €1.8 million for 23 key national festivals and events. Welcoming the news, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Pat Breen said the return of the Fleadh to Clare is a major boost.  During the 10-day event over 300,000 additional visitors are expected into the county as well as 4,000 competitors and 9,000 session musicians and it will generate €40 million in income for the local economy. “There was a 14% increase in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eleven months of 2015 and the most recent figures show that revenue in the sector has increased by 16% to €4.2 billion. A significant factor in this growth is the festivals and events on offer in all parts of the …

The search for missing Ennis law student, Michael Bugler has been called off after a body was recovered from the sea near Ardfry Point in Oranmore this afternoon. Gardaí say an unidentified body was spotted about 20 metres from shore by a search party looking for the missing man. Twenty year old Michael Bugler, an NUI Galway student, had not been seen since Friday, December 18 in the Quay Street area of the city. Since his disappearance, gardaí and hundreds of people have been engaged in daily searches in the Galway area for the missing student. In a post of Facebook later that evening, Michael sister Laura said the family are “relieved to finally have Michael home”. She added, “On behalf of myself, my family and Michael’s friends I’d like to thank you all for your help and support over the last three weeks. Thankfully we are so relieved to finally have Michael home today”.

AN Ennis man could be set for Oscar gold after a film he penned has made the shortlist for nominations for the coveted award. Viva, a Spanish language film set in Havana written by Clare’s very own Mark O’Halloran has been named among nine movies shortlisted in the Foreign Language Film category. And in just a few short weeks, Mark the rest of the crew behind the acclaimed film will learn if they have made the final five nominees for next year’s 88th annual Academy Awards. Speaking to the Clare Champion this week Mark told us, “I’m very happy, I’m very surprised. It’s a very low budget film, made with a lot of dedication and heart. I’m pretty sure it’s the lowest budget film in the category so for it to have this impact is great. It’s been a good surprise to get on the shortlist, so fingers crossed, we’ll see how it goes.” The film, selected by the Irish …

THE spirit of Christmas is set to be brought out onto the streets of Ennis in a very special way this week. On Christmas Eve, a nativity scene crib will be set up at O’Connell Square, highlighting the spiritual meaning of the holiday season to passersby on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is the second year that the crib has been installed at the prominent Ennis location. The crib will be in place from 2pm to 4.30pm on Thursday. As well as the nativity scene, there will be festive music from the Wylde Roses choir and the Clarecastle Youth Choir, and some mince pies on the day. Ennis priest Fr Ger Fitzgerald who is behind the endeavour explained, “The whole idea behind the crib is to show people another side of the church, in that the church is not just four walls. It is a part of life, the church wants to identify with people’s …

Concerns have been raised in Ennis regarding the  effectiveness of the flood defences in the town, completed over the past few years,  particularly around Abbey Street car park. This afternoon, the Fergus rose to very high levels and water appeared to be getting through the newly built walls, which were designed to hold back floods. Council workers are currently examining the situation. With storm Desmond to continue overnight, further rain and a high tide will only exacerbate the problem. More on Storm Desmond and how it’s affecting Clare here. [doptg id=”86″]