Tag Archives: Tim Smythe Park

THE tragic death of teacher Ashling Murphy sparked calls for an audit to be carried out of Ennis’ public spaces to ensure they are safe. This week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard Councillor Mary Howard urge that the examination be carried out with a focus on lighting levels, footpath conditions and hedgerow maintenance starting with the Fairgreen and Lees Road. She said she was inspired to propose the motion following the “awful events” of last January in Tullamore when the teacher was killed while out jogging. “In light of recent events I believe it is important to ensure our public spaces / physical environment are safe,” she said. The councillor cited a United Nations Women’s Safety Audit as an example of what could be used to determine how safe the local environment is. “I’m putting this forward because women are asking me to, they just felt some places might be a little bit overgrown? The lighting mightn’t be …

THE family of the late Tim Smythe has described the development of a new dressing room building at the Ennis park which bears his name as “amazing”. On Tuesday the new development, costing in the region of €500,000, was officially launched by the local authority at Tim Smythe Park. Michael Smythe, son of the late athlete and politician, told The Clare Champion he believes his father would have been thrilled at what has been done in his name. “It is absolutely amazing. He was never a person that sought out thanks or praise, but he would absolutely have been happy with this. “The dressing rooms are just a fantastic addition to what has already been done here. I remember when I used to come here to play with Lifford, this is just so amazing to see.” Michael, now based in the US, added that his father would have been particularly delighted with the park’s running track. “That was his love …

AS WE face into a second summer of restricted events, Relay for Life Ennis won’t let a pandemic stop them from keeping up the fight against cancer. Instead of gathering at Tim Smythe Park, Relay for Life Ennis will be gathering virtually again this year to help raise awareness and needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Auriol Considine, Relay for Life Ennis Chairperson, said: “Relay for Life Ennis has grown into an important community event, and we didn’t want that community spirit to lose momentum. We are challenging teams to collectively walk 240kms by June 19 sticking with the 24 [hour] theme of the actual event. We have some other enthusiastic teams that have decided to do their own events such as hiking Mullaghmore and Carrauntoohill or running in Lahinch. We’re thrilled with whatever way people want to get involved as it all helps to raise awareness and builds community spirit which is at the heart of Relay for …

LIBRARIES will operate a call and collect while parks and playgrounds will remain open as part of changes announced to Clare County Council’s services as the county entered Level 3 restrictions this week. The Government announced that, from midnight on Tuesday all counties including Clare would be placed on Level 3 under the Plan for Living with Covid-19. This action is based on a review of the current public health advice and is in response to the deteriorating situation with the virus across the country. All counties will be at Level 3 for a period of three weeks until midnight on October, 27, at which point the situation will be reviewed by the Government, based on the status of the virus and public health advice. According to a spokesperson for the local authority, “Clare County Council will continue to provide services in accordance with public health guidelines during this period.” Members of the public are requested to note that where …

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 …

Members of the public are being invited to attempt to break a Guinness World Record as well as drop off their Christmas tree for recycling on Sunday, January 8 from 1pm, when the 6th annual Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park. Organised by Clare County Council, in conjunction with Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities, the event is a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport, while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause with this year’s proceeds going to Rape Crisis Midwest. The championship, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions, sees competitors tryinig to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree. There will be trophies for the longest throw in various age categories with a trophy for the overall champion. Every participant will also be entered into a draw to win one year family membership at Active Ennis Leisure Complex. Limerick …

THE three-day INIS Fest music festival, planned for Tim Smythe Park in Ennis at the end of June has been cancelled. The announcement was made over the weekend and follows two meetings between the festival organisers, Impresario Events Limited, and local residents. The residents had expressed their serious concerns about security, noise and traffic management issues, and their fears of possible anti-social behaviour and damage to their property, while questioning the legality of selling alcohol to as many as 3,500 patrons on the publicly-owned Fair Green in Ennis where drinking alcohol is banned. In a statement on their website, Impresario Events, say following numerous consultations with residents in the vicinity of the festival venue, they have decided that a number of ongoing concerns of residents required to be addressed before a festival of this nature can take place. “We are disappointed that such a positive event for the town of Ennis is not going ahead at this time but we …

ENNIS woman, Maeve Smythe has died unexpectedly in University Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. She had been living in Turks and Caicos Islands for some time and was recently transferred to hospital in Kingston. The late Ms Smythe had broken her leg on December 21, following which she had an operation. Prior to relocating to the Carribbean, Ms Smythe ran Epicene, a business in Ennis town centre. Ms Smythe’s father was Tim Smythe, the former Clare county councillor and international cross country champion. The Fairgreen in Ennis is named after the late Tim Smythe. Ms Smythe is survived by her brothers, Barry, Ennis; Mike, Canada and Conor, Oregon, USA; and sisters, Maura Neylon, Ennis; Ann Dempsey, Grand Turk; and Olive Kelly, Dublin; relatives and a wide circle of friends.