FILE PIC: Pictured outside Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis, Co. Clare, to mark the launch of the Ennis 2040 economic and spatial strategy are: (front row, l-r) Cllr Ann Norton, Mayor of Ennis Municipal District; Cllr PJ Ryan, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council; and (back row, l-r) Liam Conneally, Director of Economic Development, Clare County Council; Kevin Corrigan, Chief Operating Officer, Ennis 2040 DAC; and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council. Photo: Eamon Ward.
A COMMUNICATIONS FIRM has been brought in to assist Ennis 2040 DAC as it deals with public backlash over plans associated with the Ennis 2040 Strategy.
The Clare Echo understands that Gore Communications has been enlisted to manage the communications services of the private company which is owned by Clare County Council. The local authority already has a communications team which is headed up by Galway native Kennas Fitzsimons who succeeded Mark Dunphy in 2020 after he left to establish Dunphy Communications.
Headquartered in Limerick, Gore Communications has been responsible for the public relations of the Future Mobility Campus in Shannon. The firm is owned by Edwina Gore.
Staff of the Ennis 2040 DAC based at the County Museum are understood to have experienced verbal abuse from the public in recent weeks with the door of the public building also kicked in.
In a statement to The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for the Ennis 2040 DAC outlined, “Ennis 2040 is a small team and does not have the resources internally to manage the marketing communications services required. Therefore, a marketing communications company will be appointed shortly to support the successful delivery of the Ennis 2040 Economic and Spatial Strategy”.
“Ennis 2040 D.A.C. is a dynamic property development company playing a pivotal role in the transformation of Ennis into a leading destination for indigenous and international investment. Established as a special purpose vehicle of Clare County Council, Ennis 2040 D.A.C. is developing key strategic sites in Ennis into locations for enhanced employment, enterprise, investment and economic development. It is important that the public and media are informed of these developments. In the spirit of partnership and openness with all stakeholders, there will be a number of public information campaigns to give everyone the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft master plans for each site,” the statement added.
