Tag Archives: Ennis

PLANS for a new Aldi store in Ennis are “good news” for the county capital insists hurling legend Brian Lohan. The Clare hurling manager alongside Inch businessman Martin O’Malley are behind plans to develop the Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Road. If given the go-ahead, the discount store will be an anchor tenant in the second stage of Westpoint’s development, with a HSE Outpatients Department already on site. Mr Lohan has lodged a planning application to Clare County Council for a change of use from retail warehouse to a discount food store at Westpoint. According to Aldi this new store will create 30 new permanent jobs at the store, and up to 50 construction jobs, if given the green light. It aims to open the 1,000sqm store in late 2023. Mr Lohan told The Clare Champion that they have been working in partnership with Aldi for a number of months ahead of lodging this planning application. He said he …

ATTEMPTS to promote biodiversity are resulting in a “huge problem” for residents committees and Tidy Towns groups, according to Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy is calling for funding to be put in place to help gather up the “huge volume” of excess cut grasses in green areas following delays in cutting due to efforts to promote biodiversity. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, the councillor said, “I am requesting that a budget is sought by Ennis Municipal District  to facilitate the engaging of an appropriate contractor to gather and dispose of the huge volume of excess cut grasses that are on our green areas across the Municipal area. This is as a result of later starting dates for grass cutting in order to promote biodiversity. However, while welcoming this initiative, many residents committees and Tidy Towns groups now have a huge problem with the unkept appearance of our public spaces.” Eamon O’Dea, senior executive officer, responded …

BUSINESSES in Lifford are “feeling a bit left out of the loop” when it comes to lighting up the town centre at night. The Ennis Municipal District has installed festoon lights in the town as part of efforts to support outdoor dining and encouraging people to visit the town, however according to one local councillor parts of Ennis are “feeling forgotten about”. Councillor Mary Howard, speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, called on the local authority to reconsider hanging festoon lighting in the Lifford area. “The businesses in that area would appreciate the lights being installed for the summer months,” she said. She said that Ennis is “looking so well” with the new lights adding, “The people in Lifford are feeling a bit left out of the loop.” She recalled how efforts were made a number of years ago to extend Christmas lighting into the Lifford area and questioned why this cannot be done again. “They …

THE National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) charity shop has found a new home in Ennis, where a stronger emphasis on sustainability is clearly visible. The NCBI has relocated its shop to Quay House, Wood Quay and opened its new doors last week. Beverley Scallan, Head of Retail, said, “Opening this shop is a fantastic step forward for NCBI. We have transformed what has become the norm for NCBI stores throughout the country, and with this new look, I hope the NCBI store will become a cornerstone of the community as it has in so many other locations across the country. All aspects of the shop fit-out are made from reusable and recyclable raw materials. In addition, the shop will sell quality preloved clothing, accessories, and hidden gems. So, by supporting our shops, customers not only generate funds for our services but also support our drive for more sustainable fashion and furniture. We urge shoppers to pop in and …

TOURISM in Ennis has received a boost with the historic Ennis Friary re-opening to the public this week. The friary, which dates back to the 13th century, re-opened on Tuesday having been closed to the public since last summer due to Covid-19 restrictions. And as an extra bonus, admission to the popular attraction is free for the season. Welcoming the announcement, Councillor Mary Howard said it is “great news” for the town. Just last month she criticised the continued closure of the Friary, saying that the town was losing out on potential tourism opportunities. The Friary has been opened with health and safety in mind and Covid-19 guidelines have been put in place. A maximum of 15 visitors are permitted on site at any one time. Social distancing will apply throughout the site. Face coverings must be worn in all indoor spaces. There are self guided visits only, but Ennis Friary guides are on hand to answer any questions. Hand …

ALDI has announced plans for a second store in Ennis. Thirty new permanent jobs will be created at the store, while up to 50 jobs will be supported during the construction phase. A planning application is being submitted today to Clare County Council and Aldi aims to open the 1,000sqm store at Westpoint Retail Park, on the Kilrush Road, in late 2023. Commenting, Colin Breslin, Aldi Regional Managing Director said: “This is great news for Aldi shoppers in Ennis and the surrounding area. Our Francis Street store is one of our busiest and most popular stores in the country. We look forward to serving more Ennis shoppers with our award winning range of incredible value food and drink products.” Aldi currently operates four stores in County Clare, with stores in Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush and on Francis Street, Ennis. In 2020 the company says it sourced €2.8 million of locally produced food and drink from County Clare based suppliers. ENDS Notes …

GARDAÍ in Clare have issued a renewed appeal for witnesses to a road traffic collision in which a cyclist was injured. The incident occurred just over one month ago in Ennis, on Tuesday, June 8, at Clare Road. A female cyclist reported that while she was cycling inbound on the Clare road towards Ennis town she collided with a vehicle while travelling around a roundabout. The vehicle, an older model gold coloured Volkswagen Passat, pulled in front of her exiting the roundabout causing the collision. The Passat was travelling towards the Hawthorns Estate from the Clare road. The cyclist suffered minor injuries. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 8 at Clare Road, Ennis and gardaí are asking anybody with information to contact Ennis Garda Station at 065 6848100.

CALLS for a public/private partnership to develop campervan facilities in the county capital have been made by Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy believes that Ennis has the potential to become a “very effective destination” for campervan holiday makers looking to stay in an urban setting. At the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged, “That Ennis Municipal District conveys a message that Ennis welcomes campervan users/owners this summer, provided that they can be self-sufficient in terms of sanitation”. He added that consideration should be given to using one of the council carparks at Drumbiggle or Áras an Contae “to facilitate this endeavour and valuable business opportunity.” Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer, responded, “The use of council car parks, either at Drumbiggle or New Road as campervan parks would require fully manned facilities specifically for this purpose. At present, the car parks are full on the five-day working week serving staff, councillors and customers. With greater numbers …