Tag Archives: Ennis

WATER way to start the day at Scoil Chríost Rí in Cloughleigh with the recent launch of the latest addition to the school’s Kayak le Chéile club. The club is continuing to make a splash with the addition of a brand new kayaking shed right next to the River Fergus. The new shed was opened last Wednesday with Rang a Trí pupil Junior Power cutting the ribbon. The building was then blessed by Fr Ger Jones, before Rang a Sé pupils led the assembled guests up river for an hour- long paddle.  Sixth class pupils also unveiled their recent Kayak le Ceol recording, which saw the class work with artist-in-residence, Fiona Leenane, to compose and perform a kayaking routine to music.  Teacher Joe Garry explains that Kayak le Chéile was formed two years ago at Scoil Chríost Rí and since then kayaking has become an integral part of the curriculum offered with ranganna IV-VI getting out on the Fergus. Aided …

THE sporting and musical achievements of local groups and individuals in Ennis has been honoured at a mayoral reception. Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Ann Norton, and members of Clare County Council hosted the event in the Civic Room of the Buttermarket Building in Drumbiggle, Ennis. Those honoured included accomplished groups and individuals from the worlds of music and sport. Ennis Brass Band received an honour for entertaining the people of Ennis and Clare for 50 years. 2021 was a milestone year for Ennis Brass Band, marking the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation. The band has competed in various competitions throughout Ireland, winning several national titles and sectional awards along the way. Ennis Brass Band has performed in England, Wales, Germany, Scotland and France, and has played for distinguished guests such as President Michael D Higgins, former President Mary McAleese, Muhammad Ali and King Juan Carlos of Spain.  Also Alana McInerney was recognised at the event on being …

Ukrainian artist Liudmyla Sikorska, who has been living in the Mid-West since 2015 will host an auction of her works in Ennis next week to support the works of volunteers providing support for the people of Ukraine. Liudmyla’s art adorns the walls of homes and businesses in Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, New Zealand, Luxembourg and of course in her beloved Ukraine and Ireland. Liudmyla has decided to auction a number of her paintings in order to support the work of the UCCI- Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland. The Art for Ukraine auction will take place in the Old Ground Hotel on Thursday May 26 at 7pm.  The auction will be conducted by local auctioneer Cormac O’Sullivan and the art can be viewed at the County Museum from this weekend.

SEE Her Elected, the award-winning Government funded project which aims to encourage women from rural areas to engage in local politics are collaborating with Clare County Council for an upcoming event to promote and support greater involvement by women from diverse backgrounds in Local Government.  ‘Promoting Gender Equality & Diversity in Local Government’, will take place on Tuesday, May 17 from 10.30am to 2pm in Glór, Ennis and will include a panel discussion with local and national politicians as well as speakers from diverse groups. County Clare’s first ever female TD Madeline Taylor Quinn will be the keynote speaker on the day. Other speakers on the day will include Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance & Support Services, Clare County Council; Dr Michelle Maher of See Her Elected; Senator Roisin Garvey; Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District Councillor Ann Norton; as well as Bridget Casey, CLDC & Traveller community rep;  Teresa O’Donogue, Clare PPN, Community activist; Ann Marie Flanagan, Regional Development Officer, SHINE voice for disability  …

THE people of Cloughleigh have come together to raise an impressive €3,000 for the Irish Red Cross’ work in Ukraine through the hosting of a number of events. A fundraising tea party, raffle and contribution from the local benevolent fund all played their part in raising the money which was recently presented to Aiden Lonergan of the Irish Red Cross. Flan Brennan, chairman of the Cloughleigh Residents Association explains that when news began to emerge of the war in Ukraine and they saw what was happening they were driven to try and help in some way. “At the beginning of this we were starting to hear on the news about the troubles in Ukraine and we felt we had to do something as a community. We wanted to give them a bit of support so we thought a fundraiser for the Irish Red Cross, who are doing great work, would be a good idea.” The fundraisers involved a number of …

RESIDENTS of an historic area of Ennis are vowing to “fight to the last” against plans for a new housing development which has been given the green light by Clare County Council. They are now preparing an appeal to An Bord Pleanala following the granting of planning permission to Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ of residential units and a cafe with digital working hub at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. The initial application had sought to build 46 units, however this has been reduced to 37. The plans include a new apartment building on Drumbiggle Road increasing from two storeys to four storeys over-semi basement with a fifth floor set back on the south west corner. This building will incorporate 26 two-bedroom units, four one-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. The development will also see the construction of a new two-storey terrace of six …

ENNIS twins have had success again at an Irish Kennel Club obedience competition in Dublin recently. Nine-year-old Natalie Ryan placed first with her young dog Rita, while her twin Stella placed second with Riley. They competed against adults from both north and south of the border at the championships show held by the Working Trials Club of Ireland in Tymon Park in Dublin. Natalie commented, “I was so excited to win! I never thought I would. We were expecting to be competing against other kids but it was all adults there. I am super proud of Rita too. She’s only young but was so calm in the ring”. Stella was delighted with her place too, “Riley can get a bit worried in the ring and always likes to know that mom is around to reassure her. But working towards this competition has really improved our bond and she was much improved from our last outing. She did her best and …

CLARE County Council has signed a contract for a new €8.7 million County Library in Ennis with Galway-based firm Coolsivna taking over construction of the building. The contract signed on Friday in the Council Chamber at Áras Contae an Chláir by Patrick Gardiner of Coolsivna and Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling, in the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor PJ Ryan. The development had been on hold following the liquidation of initial tenderer Kilmihil-based Keating Construction. Coolsivna’s work is known to those in Ennis as the company has recently completed the Ennis Community College project, a 4,200-square-metre three-storey extension to the existing school. As a medium-sized company, Coolsivna has completed projects in residential and healthcare settings and has also won the contract for the construction of the new Craughwell National School in County Galway. The County Library project consists of a 2,321-square-metre building on the glór site comprising two public floors of library space …