Category: News

A LOCAL shop-owner has expressed concern that proposed traffic calming works at the entrance to Corrovorrin could lead to reduced business and a loss of jobs.

Councillors in Ennis have called for improvements to the Corrovorrin junction on the R352 Tulla Road to alleviate access problems in the area.

A report on the proposed € 50,000 project was presented to members at yesterday’s monthly meeting of En nis Town Council.

In a report to councillors, town engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that funding for the project had been se- cured from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Mr O’Dea explained, “The proposed layout has been confirmed with the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport road safety engineer during each stage of the design process. It was not possible to make significant amendments to the proposed layout to take account of the submissions received, however some minor adjustment to the parking opposite Tierney’s Shop on Kevin Barry Avenue were made.”

Mr O’Dea recommended that councillors approve the scheme at Corrovorrin Junction.

The proposed low cost safety scheme at Corrovorrin junction would involve a reduced carriageway width to give a “greater sense of enclosure” and the “reduce the crossing length for pedestrians”.

The council are also proposing courtesy pedestrian and combined crossing points along with an off road combined pedestrian and cycle lane

A preliminary deign report on the scheme states that traffic volume on the R352 ranges from 14,000 to 16,00 vehicles per day and 1,400 to 2,000 vehicles per day on Kevin Barry Avenue.

Alan Morrissey, Executive Engineer, stated, “Based on traffic flow levels the appropriate junction type is a priority junction.”

The report also states that analysis indicates, “There does not seem to be a speeding problem on the R352 east of Corrovorrin junction.

“An additional benefit of this design will be a reduction in crossing distances for pedestrians and cyclists thereby promoting sustainable travel modes” adds the report.

The council received three submissions on the proposed works.

Local shopkeeper John Tierney objected to the scheme at Corrovorrin junction. In his submission to the council, Mr Tierney stated that he is being penalised for complying with previous planning application. He stated insufficient background information was provided while adequate consultation procedures did not take place.

Mr Tierney referred to a brief re- port from the Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, which stated that according to Garda records, no accidents have taken place at the Corrovorrin junction in the past five years.

Mr Tierney also expressed concern that the proposed works would result in reduced business and loss of jobs.

Philip Coll, a resident of the nearby Kevin Barry Avenue, stated that he could not recall any accidents at the junction.

In his submission, Mr Coll told the council that he considered that filter lanes were required on both Kevin Barry Avenue and the Tulla Road. It was his view that a yellow box was required at the exit from Kevin Barry Avenue.

MEMBERS of Ennis Tidy Town’s Committee were upset yesterday (Monday) by Irish Business Against Litter’s (IBAL) finding that the town was one of three in the country it deemed littered.

The anti-litter league’s Dr Tom Cavanagh said however that IBAL was not worried about Ennis being third from the bottom of the league as it had been a good town in the past and he was confident it would be good in the future.

“I am not worried about them,” he said of the three towns deemed lit- ter.

The people of Ennis, and especially those who have dedicated their lives to the tidy town’s organisation, can take some solace in recent history.

In 2005, just a week before the county town won the national Tidy Town’s competition, it also received a damming report from IBAL.

For now however, there is a lot of disappointment at the news the town had dropped 13 places since last year on the litter league.

Ennis town councillor Mary Howard (FG), who is a volunteer with the local Tidy Towns, said members were very upset as they called each other following the news.

“One woman who goes out six nights a week [to pick up litter] was particularly upset. People are putting in a huge effort like this,” she said.

“A huge effort has been put into painting railings and other work this year,” she added.

As part of the litter inspection carried out by IBAL, litter inspectors surveyed recycling facilities, hotels and sports facilities in the towns and cities concerned.

IBAL expressed ‘disappointment’ that seven in 10 recycling centres nationwide were littered, and a number were litter black spots, including those in Ennis.

“These are typically managed by local authorities so it is disappointing that so many of them are unclean, especially as their importance is rising. We recognise the potential for these facilities to attract litter, a threat which some authorities have fended off effectively by installing CCTV,” explained Dr Cavanagh. Inspectors praised the facility in Dundalk as being ‘in a league of its own’.”

Over three-quarters of hotel grounds surveyed were free of litter, but a small number, including Treacy’s West County in Ennis were judged to be seriously littered, due to litter in the areas surrounding them.

THEY may be married just a month but newly weds Cathal Crowe and Maeve Fehilly admits they will be pulling in different directions on Sunday.

Cathal is a well-known member of Clare County Council living in Meelick, a border town with Limerick.

Maeve is a native of another town that borders Limerick, but this time it is on the other side of that county – Charleville in County Cork.

“There is a very heightened sense of identity when you are that near the border,” explained Cathal, and each of them are loyal to their own county.

“There will be two different jerseys going off in the car that morning,” he added, knowing there will only be one happy newly wed arriving home on Sunday evening – bar a draw of course.

This will be the second game the couple has attended as man and wife.

The first was the less controversial semi final Clare against Limerick.

“We arrived back from honeymoon that morning to Shannon Airport and drove straight to Dublin. Maeve drove home afterwards,” said Cathal who was that day celebrating victory.

The big question now is who will be driving home on Sunday evening and will they still be travelling together?

THE Clare jersey is the fashion accessory of the season, with hundreds of names on the waiting list for the en-trend clothing item and reports of some shops selling as many as six jerseys a minute.

Last evening (Monday) Elvery’s Sport, Ennis, reported that there were at least 200 names on the list for the stock of jerseys due in later today (Tuesday).

“There has been a huge impact on sales in the last three to four weeks,” said assistant manager Trisha Howard.

While there are some Clare tee shirts, jackets and hoodies still available it is the jersey, both saffron and blue and the new pink ones that are selling out in their droves.

More pink jerseys are due in later in the week, but those hoping to have number one on their back will be without a goalkeeper’s jersey until after the match as they are not going into production again until after Sunday.

“We are completely sold out,” said Bernie Chapman of Lifestyle Sports in Ennis, who is expecting a delivery by special courier on Wednesday.

“They will be gone before they even hit the floor,” she said explaining that with the waiting list well over 40 they have stopped taking names so to avoid disappointment.

“Every second customer is looking for a jersey. We counted the number of people looking for the jersey today and in one minute six people asked for a jersey,” she said.

Ramona Gleeson of All Stars Sports on the Quin Road, Ennis, had just returned from Dublin last evening (Monday) with a van full of jerseys and tee shirts when The Clare People called.

“I went four times in the last two weeks because I couldn’t wait for them to be delivered. I would have a load sold by the time they would be delivered.

“I have to go again on Friday,” said the woman who also has “pages and pages of waiting lists”.

She also brought some goalkeeper jerseys to Clare yesterday, as there will be no more available until after the All Ireland.

Tommy O’Donnell in Ennis has been providing sportswear and equipment to the people of Clare for decades, and he is also reporting a busy few weeks.

“We are tipping along,” he said not giving too much away.

He explained that while they shop sells out of the prized jersey every few days, the stock is usually back the following day.

Asked to compare the build up to 1995 he explained it was difficult “as there are less people in Ireland now and less people in Clare, but exciting nonetheless!”

AS THE countdown begins to the Clare hurlers’ date with destiny in Croke Park there are growing calls for the All-Ireland final to be shown on a big screen in Ennis.

Local authorities in Ennis are considering the suggestion to erect a big screen in the town centre, a proposal that could be done in conjunction with local businesses and Clare GAA.

Council officials met yesterday to discuss possible plans to mark Clare’s meeting with Cork in the All-Ireland final on September 8.

Abbey Street car park is the most likely venue for any pubic screening of the big match.

The area previously hosted celebrations to mark the ‘homecoming’ of sports legend Muhammad Ali to Ennis in 2009 and the recent Love Live music events.

Local community activist and member of the Disabled People of Clare support group Dermot Hayes proposed the big screen idea last week. He says the final is a great opportunity for communities across Clare to celebrate and come together.

He explains, “When Ennis hosted Muhammad Ali some years ago, a big screen was put up in the Abbey Street car park. It was just brilliant. I was there and still remember the buzz. In Limerick in 2006 when Munster played in the Heineken Cup, thousands came out on the streets of Limerick to enjoy the event. These memories are appreciated. So why not do it for the big match. Not everyone will be able to get a ticket and people who are living alone will want to share the joy of Clare playing in an All-Ireland final.”

Dermot is promoting the proposal as the ‘Big Idea’ through YouTube and Facebook.

Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn has called for Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council to “actively consider the installation, in partnership with others, of a large screen in Abbey Street car park, Ennis, or the All Ireland hurling final”.

Cllr Flynn says that subject to public demand, there may even be a need to site the screen in Cusack Park.

The Ennis councillor says the event would allow families unable to get tickets be part of the Banner County’s big day. Cllr Flynn added that a big public event would also be a good “tourism marketing opportunity” for the town.

CLARE families in mortgage difficulty could face a double blow should a a family member pass away unexpectedly. Spancilhill financial aid charity Dealing With Debt (DWD) says that hundreds of Clare families could face eviction from should a wage earning family member pass away – as the insurance will not cover the full cost of mortgages in arrears.

With more than 2,000 Clare families in arrears or in interest-only payment schemes, research from DWD indicated that the vast majority of these are under insured.

The insurance difficulty comes about when a mortgage goes into arrears as the life insurance cover associated with the mortgage is tied to the additional payment schedule.

Should a mortgage holder who is in arrears pass away, the insurer would only pay out the portion of the mortgage which is scheduled to be out- standing – according to the original mortgage timeline.

“If you had a € 400,000 mortgage lets say, and you run into financial difficulty and have to pay a reduced rate – maybe even interest only. After a while you would find yourself in a situation where you owe € 400,000 of a mortgage, but you only covered for € 300,000,” said Joe Corbett of Dealing With Debt.

“So you have situation of a family who is already struggling, gets hit with tragic death, and then they also face maybe € 100,000 in debt that they didn’t know they would have.

“We are seeing more and more of this. People are taking the risk that nothing will happen to them – and hopefully nothing will. People don’t take the insurance into account when they are in difficulty.

“When families are struggling to pay a mortgage then the insurance can be the last thing on their mind. It is a worrying situation and something that is becoming more and more common in Clare.”

AN ENNIS postman turned film composer says he is delighted after scoring another big screen success.

Kerry Whitehouse has been asked to provide music for upcoming gangster movie ‘The Street’.

The film, which is slated for a 2014 release, is being produced by the Galway-based One Shot Productions. ‘The Street’ is due to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

The company asked Whitehouse to score the film after being impressed with his work on previous film and TV productions. The 38 year-old turned his hand to music after meeting the Oscar winning composer behind the ‘Lord of the Rings’ soundtrack, Howard Shore.

Whitehouse completed his first soundtrack in 2011 and has since worked on a string of Irish, American and English short films. Whitehouse’s scores are a blend of atmospheric horror and gothic electronica. He says he was delighted to be working on ‘The Street’.

“Yeah, its really been going great over the past 12 months. I’m enjoying it. I’ve got a few more jobs in the past few months and I’m really enjoying it. It’s going good now so hopefully it will take off,” adds Kerry.

He is currently working on music for the television series ‘Darker Days’. Kerry has also scored the Irish short film, ‘Banshee’, which is due to be shown on Irish television screens at Halloween.

Kerry is now listed on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), the world’s leading online source of movie information and statistics. In October he will attend the Film Music Awards in Ghent, Belgium, the Oscars of the film score industry.

Music has been part of the former CBS student’s life since he first started playing with local bands aged 16. Whitehouse’s grandfather Christy McAllister is a founder member of the Ennis Brass Band. His other grandfather, Lloyd Whitehouse was a professional piano player in England. The Ennis-based postman is currently working on a number of film and tv projects.

LISDOONVARNA is set to become a “landmark” location in the ongoing struggle for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) Irish people.

Days before the first “Outing” gay matchmaking festival comes to Lisdoonvarna, organiser Eddie McGuinness says that the people of North Clare deserve massive credit for the role they are playing in the social development of Ireland.

“This is a landmark event in the journey to full equality. You just have to look at what is happening in Russia right now [where homosexuality is illegal] to understand what a big event this is for the gay community in Ireland,” he told The Clare People .

“The people of Lisdoonvarna have really opened their arms to this festival. For such an ancient festival to welcome the LGBT community is a major event in a lot of people’s minds.

“I was down in Lisdoonvarna a few weeks ago and the reception I got was brilliant.

“I went around to all the local businesses were so enthusiastic about the whole thing.”

Eddie also confirmed that The Out- ing now looks like becoming an annual event in North Clare.

“We have been getting interested people from all over – just today we were getting bookings from Switzerland and America.

“There is a lot of Irish support this but we really have been surprised how far this is going internationally,” he continued.

“I feel in my gut that this will be a really big party in the years to come. This is something we plan to make into a yearly event and I think a lot of credit for this has to go to the people of Lisdoonvarna.”

The festival will also include a number of special community events such as a most glamorous shop-front competition and an official attempt to break the record for the largest number of dancing drag-queens dancing in a single line.

“London has the record at the moment with 156 people in drag dancing in a single line.

“So we want to go one better and bring this world record to Lisdoonvarna,” said Ed.

“We want everyone to take part – men and women. We want men wearing women’s cloths and women wearing men’s cloths.

“We are really hoping that the local community will get involved in this event which should be some fun around the town.”

The world record attempt is also a fundraiser for a number of charities including the Irish Cancer Society. For more information visit www.theouting.ie.

THE foster mother of a man found dead in Ennis last week has encouraged young people experiencing mental health difficulties to talk about their problems.

Tina Whelan, whose foster son Seamus Higgins went missing in Ennis earlier this month, says there needs to be a more open discussion on the issue of mental health among teenagers and young people.

Seamus was last seen jumping a wall at the rear of the Dun Na hInse housing estate on Saturday, August 10. His disappearance sparked a huge four-day search of rivers and other areas of Ennis. Seamus’ body was discovered by Civil Defence divers in the Claureen River on the afternoon of Thursday, August 15.

He had recently travelled from Southampton to Ennis for a holiday. Speaking yesterday, Ms Whelan said, “My plea to anyone who might be experiencing problems, would be to talk about it, just come out with the words ‘help me’. People don’t see the red flags until it’s too late. Young people just need to say the words help me. It’s only two words but it’s very powerful.”

Ms Whelan, who has been involved in fostering children for almost a decade, says there is a need in Ennis for a form of transitional housing for foster children when they turn 18.

She explained, “Kids end up in foster care through no fault of their own. They go through a stable fostering and then they have to go out on their own. Many of them go into apartments. They are vulnerable and they can’t really cope. I have seen it happen.

“Clarecare have an aftercare service and they do fantastic work. They really do. But I think there is a need for some sort of transitional housing. You have them in cities where they [kids] rent the rooms, pay for electricity, television. They have to budg- et. I think there are definitely places in Ennis that could be used. There is a project in Cork called Foyer that is really good.”

Tributes to the late Seamus Higgins have poured into a special Facebook page. Ms Whelan described him as a “beautiful true soul”.

She wrote, “I think this is the first day I’ve had time to think, I’m not sure where to start thanking people, but thank you to every single person who sent messages, cards, called to the house, made sandwiches, cooked food, sent flowers, stopped me on the street. I always knew I had the best family and friends and I will never be able to thank them enough.”

THE world’s first ever gay matchmaking festival is set to bring more than half a million pink euro flowing into North Clare this weekend.

The Outing, which begins in Lisdoonvarna on August 30, will kick start this year’s Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival and is expected to be a major financial boost for Lisdoonvarna and the surrounding towns.

Lisdoonvarna normally has a popu- lation of 1,000 people but during the five weeks of the matchmaking festival more than 60,000 people visit the village from all over Ireland and Europe. The entire festival generates an estimated € 3 million for the local area with The Outing itself expected to contribute more then € 500,000 to the local economy.

“Whilst there is no shortage of gold at the end of this rainbow, the main focus has always been on allowing all people a safe place to express who they are and not have to feel alone in being alone,” said a spokesperson for the Hydro Hotel – where many of the events will be staged.

“In a year that has been extremely topical for the gay community, Lisdoonvarna, a town filled with warmth and history, have decided to incorporate a gay weekend in order to allow the LGBT community to celebrate their pride and not have to defend it.

“The weekend promises to be explosive with entertainment ranging from well-known performers such as Niamh Kavanagh, Jonny Woo, Panti and Bunny, to tea dancing, a tease club with numerous well known DJs.”

Following The Outing, the remainder of the Matchmaking Festival will include the usual schedule of music and dancing. This year’s festival will also include a country weekend featuring the likes of Derek Ryan, Crystal Swing and Philomena Begley, while Louisiana soul star Buck Taylor, will join the festival team this year – performing every Saturday night throughout September.