Tag Archives: Ennis

A Nigerian man who has recently arrived in Clare from Ukraine has highlighted the huge difficulties getting out of the country. “We had to walk three hours before we got to the border between Ukraine and Poland. There were a lot of people there, I don’t know, maybe 20,000. “The lines were so long and you had to keep on walking slowly for maybe 20 more hours, I was so tired I could sleep standing up,” he said this week. It was a long wait in freezing temperatures. “It was so cold that night. It was crazy, kids were crying, not because of the journey but because it was so cold. Guys were going to the forest to get sticks and try and burn them. It was around -4 degrees.” He says that he misses his old life hugely. “My life was good, very good, I have lost almost everything. I’d been living in Ukraine for about 17 years. I …

LOCAL people will be among those showcasing their talents alongside the Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre when the company brings their brand new show to Ennis next week. Fidget Feet are bringing their new show “HOUSE” to Clare Marts, Quin Road on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10. Ahead of the show, Fidget Feet put a call out to the people of Clare through to join them in this collaborative community spectacle with circus, theatre and drive-in bingo. “HOUSE Open Days” is a community project that integrates local communities into the show itself and will see community part-takers dance alongside 20 experienced and talented Fidget Feet dancers in the show. According to the company this project brings people together both young and old with an integral focus on the arts, wellbeing, mental and physical health. The show is a sequel to their hugely successful show Bingo Wings and brings its bingo fever to the 1980s Royal Broadway Parish Bingo, …

THE importance of a strong voice to represent business in Ennis has been emphasised by newly elected Ennis Chamber president Colin Ryan. The Bank of Ireland branch manager was elected president at the Ennis Chamber AGM held on Monday, with Sheila Lynch, partner, Cashin Clancy Solicitors elected vice president. On election, Colin who last year served as vice president, thanked Darragh McAllister, outgoing president for his hard work and commitment. He stated, “Ennis Chamber has been fortunate to have had strong presidents during the Covid years, first Allen Flynn, owner Old Ground Hotel, followed by publican Darragh McAllister over the past year.” Outlining his focus for the year ahead, Colin said, “My mission is to build membership. Already we are back to pre-Covid numbers, and I’d like to grow membership further over the coming year.” He added, “It’s critical we have a strong voice to represent business in Ennis during these rapidly changing times and Ennis Chamber fulfils that role.” …

ENNIS Musical Society members old and new are coming together this April for an evening of song with A Night at the Musicals. The society will be back on April 10 in Hotel Woodstock where they will be performing numbers from musicals of all eras for all ages to enjoy. Expect songs from favourite shows such as Les Miserables, Wicked, Rent, Seussical to name but a few. The concert comes following the postponement of the society’s 2022 show Legally Blonde until next year due to Covid-19. The society were also unable to put on a show in 2021 because of the pandemic, and their 2020 production was cancelled after just two performances. Ennis Musical Society chairperson Rachael Culligan tells us they have had a “terrific response” to the plans for the upcoming concert. “We initially had planned on doing Legally Blonde but with so many members getting Covid, we just felt that we couldn’t manage that scale of rehearsals with …

CONGESTION during peak traffic periods on the Tulla Road and Gort Road areas of Ennis could be significantly eased with the completion of the Ennis North Inner Relief Road, according to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara. Deputy McNamara has written to Clare County Council urging the Local Authority to revisit the proposal to link the roads, which he said would divert traffic away from the centre of Ennis and the Fair Green area and improve general traffic flow on the northern and eastern sides of the town. “It was originally intended that the Inner Relief Road would link the R458 Gort Road to Oakleigh Wood and The Maples Distributor Road and onwards to the Cappahard and Roslevan Roundabouts on the R352 Tulla Road,” he explained. “However, no progress has been made since 2018 when Phase One of the project, comprising a 520m road link from the Gort Road to the Clare Technology Park, was officially opened.” “While the Council has …

MORE than €2,000 was collected in just one day at an Ennis secondary school as part of their ongoing efforts to raise funds in support of people in Ukraine. A number of teachers and students have organised a committee to discuss a number of fundraising initiatives to help with the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal, including a non-uniform day which was held last Wednesday. The students showed their support for the Ukrainian people by wearing blue and yellow and contributing generously to the appeal. A video was shown to all classes in the school to create awareness of the humanitarian crisis and to remind the school community to help those who need it most with over €2,000 collected. The money will be donated to a sponsored local lorry fill organised by Eoin Gavin Transport Ukraine Appeal (Bunratty). The money will purchase essential food items from BWG Value Centre (formerly Mangans) and the lorry can be tracked on its journey across Europe. James …

ENNIS’ Market building will be transformed this Sunday hosting a free music and dance event celebrating cultural diversity. Ennis Mela is the final Faoin Spéir|In the Open event and is presented by Clare Arts Office and Fidget Feet. In the Open | Faoin Spéir is an Arts Council funded programme developed in response to the Covid-19 crisis which has seen a variety of outdoor arts events taking place in public spaces around Ireland. On Sunday from 1pm to 4pm the Ennis Market Building will showcase the talents of musicians and dancers from all over the world. “Ennis Mela is a great way for all the family to get outdoors and experience a unique event together. Fidget Feet bring some brightness and joy, we hope you can join us,” said a spokesperson. Participants include The South Asian Dance Academy (SADA), Ireland’s leading Bollywooddance troupe providing amazing Bollywood and classical performances and workshops throughout the island of Ireland. AMDIE is a group based …

PALESTINIAN Ambassador her Excellency Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid will visit Ennis this week where she will speak at an event organised by Clare Labour Party. The meeting, on Tuesday, March 22 at 8pm at the Woodstock Hotel, Shanaway Road is open to the public. Denis Vaughan, Clare Labour Party chair said, “Amnesty International have recently reported indisputable evidence of crimes of apartheid against millions of Palestinians committed by the State of Israel. “To better understand what is happening, why it matters to all of us and what we should do, please join us, the Clare Labour Party, in welcoming the Palestinian Ambassador, her Excellency Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid who will offer insights and perspective.”