This article is from page 12 of the 2013-05-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
BUSINESSES are to be consulted on plans to increase use of the River Fergus and turn Ennis into Ireland’s Venice.
Proposals for boat tours and horse drawn carriages were discussed at the May meeting of Ennis Town Council.
In a motion, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said in order to capitalise on the popularity of the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Ennis must be promoted as Ireland’s premier romance town.
He called on the council to draft byelaws to permit and regulate horse drawn Jarveys in and around the town centre.
He also called for permits to allow for gandelow journeys on the River Fergus from Knox’s Bridge to Steele’s Rock.
The meeting heard that gandelows are boats traditional to the Shannon and Fergus estuary. Cllr Flynn told the meeting that the opening of the Wild Atlantic Way would create tourism opportunities for Ennis. However he warned that there was a danger Ennis could also be bypassed if tourists are not given enough reasons to visit the town.
Cllr Flynn said there are three gandelows in Clarecastle and that members of the Fergus Rowers club are interested in getting involved in the initiative.
Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) described the proposal as “innovative”.
Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) welcomed the initiative, saying, “Anything we can do to enhance tourism in the town should be accepted.”
In response to Cllr Flynn’s motion, town clerk Leonard Cleary states, “Ennis Town Council will discuss this proposal with Promote Ennis to establish if the business community would be interested in investing in such a project. If the business community would be interested investing in such a project. If the project were feasible, Ennis Town Council could research byelaws based on best established practice in other towns.”
Town manager Ger Dollard said the council would first have to see “workable solutions” before byelaws could be drafted. Mr Dollard added, “It would be premature until we have some discussions as to how it would work.”