Tag Archives: Ennis

THE Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has announced that it is planning to transfer the management of hostels including Laurel Lodge in Ennis to other homeless charities with specialist expertise in the sector. The society says that it believes that the move will benefit those who use the services of its hostels as managing homeless hostels is moving beyond the capacity of a volunteer-led organisation such as SVP. As most of the funding for the hostels comes from the state SVP is in discussion with the respective local authorities and the HSE to facilitate the transfer of its services. There are nine hostels involved which between them have almost 300 beds per night for homeless people. In addition to Laurel Lodge in Ennis they are in, Carlow, Cork (2), Limerick, Longford, (2) Waterford and Wexford. Laurel Lodge provides 13 places for homeless men. SVP National Secretary Andy Heffernan says that as a volunteer-led organisation, the SVP structure is …

AN Ennis councillor has pledged his portion of General Municipal Allocation funding to finding a solution to the decades-long “dangerous” situation at the Corrovorrin – Tulla Road junction. Councillor Johnny Flynn at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District vowed that if funding is not forthcoming from central government that his GMA should be used to find an interim measure to improve the junction. Residents of Corrovorrin who have been regularly attending council meetings to stay updated were in the public gallery. Councillor Flynn had sought a progress report on the proposed junction improvement measures being planned and a likely completion date.   John Gannon, Senior Executive Engineer replied, “The Corrovorrin-Tulla Road Junction will be included in Clare County Council’s application for funding under the Departments low cost safety improvement works for regional and local roads to be carried out by Local Authorities during 2021. Subject to departmental approval the expected time fame for completion will be Autumn 2021.” Councillor …

CBS Primary said goodbye at the beginning of this month to its longest serving member of staff Mary Murphy, described as “a living legend” by those at the Ennis school. Mary spent 42 years in CBS, never having taught or substituted in any other school. She was a teacher, but also a parent, having sent her children to the school also. Graduating from Mary Immaculate College in 1978, she was immediately snapped up by the CBS. She taught every class from senior infants to fourth class, Special Education Teaching and also EAL (English as an Additional Language). According to school principal Dara Glynn in excess of 1,000 students over the years have benefited directly from her “outstanding teaching abilities”. During her time, she worked her way through the ranks of the school including holding the position of deputy principal and indeed principal. Mr Glynn outlined that Mary “excelled at all of those positions, hitting high standards and always leading by …

THE Kilrush area is one of the worst places in the country for Covid-19 infection at the moment and Ennis isn’t too far behind. According to State figures for the period September 22 to October 5 the infection rate per 100k in the Kilrush local electoral area was 290.6, while in Ennis it was 226.5. The rate for the Republic of Ireland as a whole was just 116.4. These figures make the Kilrush area the seventh worst in the country and Ennis the tenth. The two areas have by some distance the highest infection rates in the province of Munster. The infection rate per 100k in the Shannon electoral area was 98.7, while in the Ennistymon electoral area it was 30.5 and in the Killaloe electoral area just 29.8. Owen Ryan

JUST weeks after glór re-opened its doors to the public following months of lock-down the venue has once again closed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. Under the Living with Covid Level 3 restrictions imposed from midnight on Tuesday across the country cultural attractions including arts centres such as glór, museums and galleries are closed. Orla Flanagan, director of glór, has confirmed that the county’s premiere arts venue will be closed for three weeks with planned events cancelled or postponed. “We are very disappointed to be closing our doors so soon after re-opening, and we are grateful for all the support from audiences, artists and the community particularly in the past month. We hope to be in a position to offer live performances and visual art before long, and know how valuable connection through art is, particularly in difficult times like these.” She stated that the situation will be continually monitored going forward. Glór’s box office will continue to operate …

THEY may had to cut this year’s show short due to Covid-19, but the Ennis Musical Society still managed to hit the high notes at this year’s AIMS awards. The local group, who had to cancel this year’s production of Seussical the Musical just days into its run, took home the title of Best Programme at the annual awards which Rachael Culligan, chairperson of Ennis Musical Society has described as the “equivalent of the Tony Awards” in amateur musical society circles. The society had a total of three nominations in the competition, also coming in runners up in the Best Actor category for Brian Roche and Best Singer for Hazel Park. “We were delighted with the win, and we were delighted to get nominated in three categories because it’s not easy to get an AIMS nomination. The AIMS amongst the musical creative circles is quite highly regarded, it’s the amateur equivalent to the Tony Awards.” She paid tribute to all …

SUPERMACS’ owner Pat McDonagh is hopeful that “perseverance pays at the end of the day” as reignited plans for a motorway service station on the outskirts of Ennis are set to be lodged for planning permission in the coming days. This will be the fast-food chain’s fourth application for a Barack Obama Plaza style development adjacent to Junction 12 of the M18 at Kilbreckan, Doora. Mr McDonagh confirms that that the newly proposed €10 million development will be a scaled down version of previous plans for the site as well as being “a smaller version of the Obama Plaza”. If the plans are given the green-light the development is expected to create around 130 full and part time jobs. Asked what he feels the chances of getting planning permission this time around he says, “I’m always optimistic. There’s room for it, and I think it’s badly needed to be quite honest on that motorway. Mr McDonagh believes there is demand …

THE concerns of residents in Ennis’ Turnpike about speeding motorists have resulted in plans to develop traffic calming measures. Members of the Ennis Municipal District have agreed to a plan to install traffic calming ramps at the Turnpike Road and Limerick Road. The works include the removal of an existing traffic calming ramp; refurbishment of two existing traffic calming ramps; installation of five new ramps and the provision of all associated signage and road markings. A report furnished to members of the Ennis Municipal District outlines that the traffic calming measures are proposed “due to a number of concerns raised by residents in the area about traffic speeding and traffic volumes”. Following surveys a design was prepared in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, 1994 and associated Regulations, the Traffic Management Guidelines and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets. Four submissions were received in relation to the proposals, including one by Councillor Johnny Flynn. The councillor outlined his …