Tag Archives: Ennis

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 …

CLARE Youth Service are helping to smooth the move to secondary school for sixth class pupils. CYS are offering a new transition to first year programme for students in schools across Shannon and Ennis. The aim of the programme is to address many of the concerns and issues experienced by those making the move to secondary school.  There are limited spaces available. “This programmes aims to provide a safe space for the young people to have fun and explore the changes that lie ahead of their move to secondary school.  The programme covers things such as hopes and fears for the coming year, reading timetables, taking notes and good sleep habits among other things. There is also an emphasis on tips for minding our minds and our wellbeing,” explains a spokesperson for CYS. The young people taking part will also get to sample a selection of Clare Youth Service activities such as the very creative Scribble Bots! The programme runs …

A MINUTE’S silence was held at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District this week following the tragic death of young lifeguard Fionn O’Brien. Meanwhile, the chaplain of Fionn’s former secondary school in Ennis has offered its support to past and present students affected by the loss. The 20-year-old, who was from a well-known Ennis family and lived on the Tulla Road, died after getting into difficulty while surfing off Lough Donnell beach on Monday. Fionn has been remembered as a “wonderful, smiling and talented young man” by his former school Rice College. A statement issued on behalf of the school states, “The Staff and Board of Management of Rice College would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the O’Brien family on the tragic death of their beautiful son, our past pupil, Fionn. To Fionn’s parents, Pat and Michelle, and his siblings Niall, Conor and Saidhbh, you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most …

GLÓR re-opens its doors to the public from this Thursday, July 8 when the Ennis venue’s gallery will host a new exhibition. There are also plans for the return of theatre with an outdoor performance set to take place in the glór carpark later this month. Management at glór have said they are “delighted” to be able to share details of the arts centre’s reopening with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. The gallery opens at 2pm on Thursday with the group exhibition Sinterella by Martha Cashman, Annita McKee and Insaf Yalcinkaya. “ We are delighted to be able to present this exhibition featuring three exciting female artists,” said a spokesperson for the venue. The walk-in box office will be open once again on Friday, July 9. Glór also has a new mural to show off, The Studio from Mark Cronin. On Thursday, July 29, there will be a performance of In Middletown from the Gate Theatre and Mikel Murfi. The show …