ENNIS’ Christmas festivities have commenced with the turning of the lights kicking off the programme of events.
Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) was joined by Clare footballer Ikem Ugwueru, Lithuanian siblings Mia Visockaite, Lea Visockaite and Sarunas Visockas, Ennis’ Daithí Lynch, Luvia Hilpert originally from the United States of America, twins Taisiia Navrotska and Tymur Navrotskyi originally from Ukraine. They all call Ennis their home.
Crowds gathered in Abbey Street car park for the turning on of the Christmas lights with Clare FM’s Colum McGrath acting as MC with the Circus for Ponies back to provide musical entertainment.
On Saturday (December 13th), the Ennis Street Fashion Show returns. Holman Lee Agency will be providing the models while “some local sporting models” will also be on the runway, administrative officer with the Ennis MD, Niamh O’Connor confirmed. Between 30 to 35 fashion suppliers including jewellers, shoe shops and sports stores will be showcasing their offering.
A new addition to the Christmas in Ennis programme is a family orienteering event which is scheduled for Sunday (December 14th) with the Temple Gate Hotel the meeting point at 14:00. Ollie’s Tours are coordinating the event with participants getting a guided tour to set them up for the scanvenger hunt. There will be teams of four which must include one adult. Prizes include a family membership for the Active Ennis complex worth €800 and a family membership to visit Bunratty Castle & Folk Park worth €150.
O’Connor stated, “Last year we had two events in glór, a film and little Christmas show, the film was a big hit so we’ve decided to do that again, this year the film is The Magic Reindeer, Clare County Council is subsidising the show”. Tickets have been available since November 21st and cost €2. The Christmas film was broadcast last Sunday (December 7th) at 6pm.
For the shortest day of the year, Sunday December 21st, there will be music on the streets from Ennis Brass Band, the Ukelele Group and Damien Gormley.
Christmas is a time of magic, Mayor Howard commented, “We have all the things which have been working in the past, I loved all the street performers, Christmas is a time for children, for wonder and magic, to see their faces and mirrors of their outfits. I am thrilled to see Damien Gormley, back when we were coming out of COVID, he was the first musician to put up his hand and busk in Ennis, it was a different world back then, he did it for no fee and no charge so I am delighted to see he is involved”. She suggested the street radio be considered for “a lot of the year” to provide more atmosphere in the town.
Praising the efforts of local authority staff in devising the programme, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) questioned if the stilts were returning to Ennis. “We’re changing it up this year,” replied O’Connor confirming they would not be back for 2025. “I’m going to have to write to Santa to tell him I’m not happy,” responded Colleran Molloy.
Photographs by Eamon Ward
