Tag Archives: Ennis

A stone sculpture commissioned by Cumann Staire is Dúchais Chora Finne and  created by Kilnamona sculptor Michael McTigue has recently been erecdted in Corofin. It is in memory of the famous march of the local forty shilling freeholders, led by Fr John Murphy PP of Kilnaboy Rath and Corofin,  into Ennis in July 1828, in support of Daniel O’ Connell’s election. With the famous Burren terrain depicted in the background, the monument shows Fr. Murphy on his horse and gig followed by the local 40 shilling freeholders carrying tree branches in support of O’ Connell. St. Bridget’s Church, the first architect designed Catholic Church in the Killaloe Diocese since the reformation, built by Murphy in 1822, features in the background. It was here that Murphy made his famous speech in the Irish language to his parishioners seeking their support for O’Connell and Catholic Emancipation. This speech was widely reported both locally and well beyond the area and was witnessed by …

ENNIS artist Tomás O’Maoldomhnaigh has been shortlisted for a global art award. He is in the running to be named as the Wildlife Artist of the year 2020 for his painting ‘Rush Hour Okavango’. In 2018 Tomás was lucky enough to explore Southern Africa, namely some of the national parks of Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with a quick visit to Johannesburg South Africa. In 2019 Tomás held a solo art exhibition in Limerick celebrating the nature and landscape of these marvellous wild places. The shortlisted painting was featured in this exhibition titled ‘Under African Skies’. “Africa possesses beauty like no other land. There is a range of habitats and geographic locations from the swamps of the Okavango to the Namib desert,” he explains. The painting depicts early one morning in the Okavango delta. “We travelled in the dark by dugout canoe to a riverbank. We could hear the screeching of the monkeys as they descended from the safety their roost …

SCHOOLS may be closed, but the wheels on the bus of one Ennis secondary school are continuing to go round in support of the local community. Students at Rice College are carrying out their studies at home as efforts to control Covid-19 continue across the country. And while the youngsters are hitting the books from the safety of home, the school’s mini-bus is being put to good use. The school has begun a Community Reach Out, using the bus to provide support for the elderly and vulnerable. Principal Louis Mulqueen and Deputy Principal John Burns explain, “Thankfully all of our students are engaged in Remote Learning and we continue to support parents and teachers in ensuring ongoing teaching and learning as we navigate our way during this difficult time. Teachers are doing phenomenal work in this new educational landscape.However Management at Rice College are anxious to do what we can to assist our community in this very difficult time in …

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.