Tag Archives: Ennis

GRIEVING families are “distraught” and feel their deceased loved ones are being “forgotten about” after being buried in part of Drumcliff cemetery. While reports of items disappearing from graves in the older section of the cemetery has been condemned as “appalling and upsetting” sparking calls for CCTV cameras to be installed. Councillor Mark Nestor, speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, urged works are needed to improve the layout of the burial ground and provide greater connectivity between the old and new sections. He pointed out that there is a row of trees acting as a barrier between two sections. He outlined that people who have family members buried in Drumcliff are “in a very, very bad way and are very distraught at the layout of the graveyard.” He said, “Those who have people buried in the new section feel very much they have been forgotten about and left out. If you look at the whole row of …

CLARECASTLE’S Councillor Paul Murphy said he is “honoured” to don the chain of office after his election as the new Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District. The occasion, usually marked with handshakes and hugs of congratulations, was a very different affair this year with social distancing due to Covid-19. Taking the helm of the Ennis Municipal District meeting this week following his election the councillor admitted “Not being able to shake hands, it’s surreal. Hopefully going forward Covid will die down and we can revert back to what we normally are. I miss the warmth of a handshake or an embrace from a friend.” He paid tribute to his predecessor Councillor Johnny Flynn describing him as a “shining beacon for the town, a real townie”. He outlined that there is a lot of work ongoing within the district, including the development of the mobility plan which has proved valuable in adapting to Covid-19. Councillor Murphy believes that the strives made …

A NEW artistic director has been announced for the Ennis Book Club Festival. Dani Gill’s appointment follows on from Paul Perry who was the artistic director with the festival for the last four years. Dani and the committee will now begin work on programming for the 15th Ennis Book Club Festival which will take place on the first weekend of March in 2021. Dani has a wealth of experience in delivering festivals and is passionate about making literature accessible to all. She is a curator, producer, writer and educator, based in the west of Ireland. She is also the national Audience Development Officer for Words Ireland and was the Director of Cúirt International Festival of Literature from 2010-2016. She is very keen on developing outreach, access to the arts and community development projects. Dani’s first collection of poems was published by Salmon Poetry in 2017 and she has just completed a novel. Her literary hybrid show ‘Mirrors’, was part of the International Literature Festival Dublin, 2019. …

As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, The Flynn Hotel Collection has created a specifically designed programme to enhance the already stringent procedures in place in their response to Covid-19. A family owned hotel group with four exceptional properties, The Flynn Hotel Collection is comprised of The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, The Imperial Hotel in Cork City, The Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny City and The Park Hotel in Dungarvan, Waterford The new programme entitled “Because We Care” is not only redefining cleanliness standards but also aims to support the guest’s personal wellbeing by using new, science-led protocols and service measures. New technologies will include electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotels. Electrostatic spraying technology uses the highest classification of disinfectant recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to treat known pathogens. The sprayers will rapidly clean and disinfect entire areas and can be used in a hotel setting to clean and disinfect guest …

GLÓR has come out to show support for the National Arts Recovery Plan and are asking the people of Clare to help give a voice to the arts to ensure its survival from the effects of Covid-19. Theatres and arts centres across the country are backing the plan published last week by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA). Orla Flanagan, director of the Ennis arts centre says, “All at glór stand together with the NCFA, venues around Ireland and our artists and arts workers at this difficult time to ensure the survival of our sector.” She explains, “Before and during this pandemic, it is the arts that have kept us company, been an escape, a voice, a release, a hope. As the country emerges from the pandemic and businesses attempt to return to trading or pivot to alternative offerings in a physically limited new world, the arts and culture sector will be the very last to recover in any …

THE passing of the collection basket at mass may have been stopped due to Covid-19, but that hasn’t prevented local parishes from being right on the button when it comes to facilitating donations. Both the Ennis parish and Doora-Barefield parish websites have included a ‘donate’ button in which contributions can be made to the parishes online in a safe and secure way. Fr Jerry Carey of Doora-Barefield parish explains that contributions to the parish are “vital” to the ongoing funding of services. The new online facility has three sections where parishioners can donate an individual amount or choose an ongoing payment option. Donations can be made to Parish Funds for the day to day running of the parish which supplements the weekly basket and development fund collections. There are also Priests’ Collections, funds which go to paying the priest with the surplus going to pastoral care in the Diocese. There are four of these collections annually. While Other Collections sees funds …

WITH many businesses re-opening this week, owners are being urged to “set aside prejudice” and “unfounded generalisations based on fears” when it comes to job applications by asylum seekers. Innocent Iroaganachi, who is living in direct provision in Ennis, wants to alleviate what he says are “suspicions” being held about employing asylum seekers insisting that asylum seekers “work hard and put in their best”. He explains, “Prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, the Clare Public Participation Network (PPN) and Clare Local Development Company (CLDC), during an interaction with asylum seekers in Ennis, mentioned that as a result of some doubts, most business owners seem to be sceptical about employing asylum seekers. Some even think that it is illegal for asylum seekers to work in Ireland, as such they do not want to get into trouble with the government.” He outlines that many asylum seekers have received work permits during the lock-down, having attained the required nine month waiting period, after which …

EVENTS this summer are cancelled across the globe, but Relay for Life Ennis is keeping their promise not to give up until cancer does.   Instead of gathering at Tim Smythe Park, Relay for Life Ennis will be gathering virtually this year to help raise awareness and needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society. On Saturday, June 20 the Ennis community are asked to Relay from Home.  Auriol Considine, Relay for Life Ennis Chairperson, explains, “Relay for Life Ennis has grown into an important community event, and we didn’t want that community spirit to lose momentum. The virtual event is themed ‘24 for Life’ as the event runs typically for 24 hours. Everyone can get involved with activities related to the theme; do 24 laps of the garden, bake 24 cupcakes, sing 24 songs or 24 of anything else you enjoy doing. We are also running a children’s art competition with pictures of being at home for 24 hours. We’re encouraging …