Plans for Ennistymon Púca statue paused after criticism
Updated / Tuesday, 11 May 2021
22:32
Mid West Correspondent
Clare County Council has been forced to pause plans to erect a controversial statue of a Púca in the town of Ennistymon, after widespread local criticism of the proposed piece that it was grotesque and scary .
The Council proposed placing the 6ft-tall interpretive art piece on a plinth at the end of Lower Church Hill in the town, as part of enhanced tourism and visitor measures to encourage more people to stay there.
The Council said the proposed Púca of Ennistymon sculpture was to form part of a €500,000 capital investment programme by Fáilte Ireland aimed at increasing visitor dwell in the town as well as improving and developing signage, pedestrian access and additional car parking.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of Limerick Institute of Technology.
Picture Sean Curtin True Media.
IT upgrade makes Ennis a university town
May 8, 2021
The green light has been given for a new Technological University in the Mid-West and Midlands.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has designated Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology Ireland’s next technological university. LIT’s Ennis campus on Bindon Street will fall under the remit of the new institution.
Announcing the designation of the new TU on Wednesday Minister Harris TD said, “This is another hugely important day for higher education in Ireland and in particular for the Midlands and Mid-West regions.
Mid West TD adds support to potential Amazon - Shannon Group deal
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Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is welcoming reports that global retail giant Amazon is potentially looking to Shannon for an Irish expansion.
According to reports in today’s Irish Independent, the US multinational is in talks with Shannon Group about the possibility of locating a significant distribution facility and other infrastructure at Shannon Airport.
“This is hugely significant news for Shannon, for Clare and for Ireland, if these talks prove fruitful,” said Deputy Crowe.
“Amazon is an extremely well-established company and has flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic, with record profits of $6.3 billion US dollars in the final quarter of last year.
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is calling for the establishment of an “air cargo bridge” at Shannon Airport, post-Brexit.
At a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, a group of Midwest air cargo experts briefed TDs and Senators on the proposal, which it’s claimed could rejuvenate not only Shannon and the Midwest but provide huge opportunities for the Irish economy.
“I’ve been speaking extensively with Damien Regan from Sixmilebridge and Kieran O’Callaghan from Limerick in recent months and I formally requested that they be given an opportunity to come before our committee to outline this excellent plan,” said Deputy Crowe.