Tag Archives: Ennis

ALMOST one thousand lights shone out of the darkness at an Ennis church on Wednesday evening, each one a beacon of hope that we will come through the current Covid-19 crisis. Cloughleigh Church was lit up with hundreds of candles in a special ceremony which was recorded and will be broadcast on Fr Ger Fitzgerald’s Facebook page. A number of people living in Cloughleigh also played their part by placing their own lights in the windows of their homes. According to Fr Ger he has been “overwhelmed” with the response to the Light up the Dark idea, and he hopes the broadcast will “bring a moment of peace to people.” “The idea for the Light up the Dark came, first of all, from the general sense of unease, uncertainty and anxiety that is around at the moment because of COVID-19. People are worried about their loved ones, themselves, their jobs and it’s for many a dark moment. So, I was …

HUNDREDS of frontline healthworkers are set to enjoy a night’s stay in Ennis following an “unbelievable response” to a local hotel’s ‘thank you’ to those leading the fight against Covid-19. Hotel Woodstock is one of five hotels as part of the Choice Hotel Group to donate a total of 1,800 free overnight stays to HSE healthcare workers in the frontline. Sean Lally owner / director of Hotel Woodstock explains that the Ennis hotel is providing approximately 360 rooms to the effort “to express our deep gratitude”. Just days after the hotel group made the announcement, the hotels were fully subscribed with Mr Lally saying “there has been an unbelievable response”. “There has been a huge reaction to this, we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of shares across social media. This is just a small way for us to give something back to those on the frontline. What they are doing for us can never fully be repaid, this is just a …

VITAL counselling services for those who have experienced sexual violence continue to be provided in Clare, despite the lockdown conditions imposed to control Covid-19. Rape Crisis Midwest (RCMW), which has offices in Ennis, Limerick and Nenagh, has said that the increased financial and health concerns caused by the crisis, as well as looking after children at at time of restricted opportunities to travel outside the home have put new pressure and strain on families. While the service had to close its doors in the middle of last month, it continues to offer counselling, using remote technologies to make sure that clients are supported. “The doors of RCMW may have closed on March 15, but we remain very much open,” a statement from the organisation said. “We have adapted to the needs of the men and women who access our service every week by offering counselling and support on a remote basis. This can take the form of telephone support, Skype, …

Today (March 20) marks the first anniversary of the death of HPV vaccine campaigner, Laura Brennan. The 26 year old Ennis woman lost her battle with terminal cancer having emerged, during her illness, as one of Ireland’s leading patient advocates and campaigners for the HPV vaccine. In a statement this morning on social media, the Brennan family paid tribute to their daughter and sister. “We remember with love our daughter and sister Laura, on this the first anniversary of her passing from us. The last twelve months has seen the HPV uptake rate nationally increase from the initial drop of 51% to 80%, while in county Clare the increase has been 90%. In addition the vaccine has been extended to first year boys in secondary schools. The support from schools, sporting organisations, businesses and the media towards the HPV Jersey Campaign has exceeded 10,000,” the statement read. “As regards the HPV vaccine, it has been extended to the UK, USA, …

Gardaí wish to seek the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 21 year-old Shauna O’Donnell who is missing from her home in Ennis. Shauna was last seen on March 2 in Limerick City and it’s believed she may have travelled to Dublin on this date. She is described as being 5’4” in height, of slim build with dark shoulder length hair and blue eyes. When last seen she was wearing what’s described as a distinctive duffle coat. Anyone who has seen Shauna or who can assist in locating her should contact Roxboro Garda Station on 061-214340, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

THE West County Hotel in Ennis has announced plans to suspend business for most of the rest of March. In a statement this afternoon the reasons for the move were put forward. “Following the announcement this morning by the Taoiseach and the Government and specifically the restrictions placed on gatherings of 100+ people for Indoor events, Treacys West County Conference and Leisure Hotel has taken the decision to temporarily suspend its business from midday on March 16th and will re-open for business on March 30th. “Based on the advice from state authorities and given due consideration to the impact on our business, the Hotel Management believes it prudent and in the best interests of our staff and business that we take this unprecedented step.” “We are currently engaging with all our impacted customers to advise of this decision. We wish to apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused and would encourage all our patrons to heed the advice of …

CLARE County Council has confirmed that the Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Other Clare parades that have been confirmed as cancelled include Ennistymon, Fanore, Kilfenora and Kilkee. In relation to the Ennis parade, Clare County Council said that a risk assessment, based on Health Service Executive guidelines, was carried out which concluded that based on the demographic of those attending the parade, the close proximity of people attending the event and the duration of the event (among other considerations), Clare County Council is not in a position to provide the necessary assurances in relation to current HSE Guidelines.  

LARISA Maria Rostas, aged 15 , who was missing from Ennis, since Tuesday, February 25 has been located safe and well. An Garda Síochána have acknowledged the help of the public and media for their assistance in the matter.