Mayor of Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) with senior engineers Seán Lenihan and Paddy Tiernan plus members of Ennis Mens Shed at the Mill Wheel. Photograph: Eamon Ward.
RESTORED SEATING, public art, new planters and improved bus stops are among a series of linked enhancement projects delivered by local groups and the Ennis Municipal District to improve how people move and experience Clare’s county town.
Initiatives delivered were supported by the European URBACT programme, which helps towns across Europe address urban challenges through sustainable development. The Ennis project focused on improving mobility and public spaces through small, high-impact actions, reflecting URBACT’s core values of sustainability, community involvement, and local benefit.
One of the key projects undertaken focused on revitalising the Mill Wheel area, a scenic but often overlooked riverside park linking Mill Road to Harvey’s Quay. To raise its profile and improve the space, Ennis MD partnered with the Ennis Men’s Shed to restore several disused cast iron benches. Once destined for scrap, the benches were refurbished by the Men’s Shed using Council-supplied materials, painted in vibrant colours, and reinstalled by Council staff offering attractive, repurposed seating in a tranquil setting.
In response to a request from the Local Link Bus Service, a refurbished bench was also installed at the Friars Walk bus stop near the Clare Museum, improving comfort and access for public transport users.
Another project enhanced the Maid of Erin roundabout, one of the town’s main entry points, through the installation of colourful flower planters. The project involved a number of groups including the Men’s Shed, who built the planters and Ennis Tidy Towns who planted the flowers and shrubs. These groups were assisted by Ennis Municipal District and Clare County Council’s Gardening Section who supplied the materials and shrubs as well as installing the units. The project has visually enhanced this busy roundabout and had created a more inviting welcome to Ennis.
Among the outcomes of the URBACT collaboration was a public art project led by local artist Evelyn Sorohan, in partnership with the Men’s Shed, and various individuals and groups from the local community including residents of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). The sculpture, installed near the Mill Wheel, was co-created with community members to be eye-catching and educational. Positioned for high visibility from the road, it encourages more people to discover and enjoy the upgraded park.
Mayor of Ennis and Chair of Ennis Tidy Towns Councillor Mary Howard (FG), said, “It’s great to see the community coming together like this. From the colourful planters to the public art, these projects really show how much pride we all have in making Ennis more welcoming and beautiful. I’d especially like to thank the staff of Ennis MD, all the volunteers and everyone else who pitched in with their time and skills”.
Senior Executive Engineer in the Ennis MD Paddy Tiernan added, “These projects demonstrate how strategic funding, community partnerships and creative thinking can work together to enrich public spaces. While modest in scale, these projects collectively enhance the town’s sense of place and accessibility and reflect the goals of the URBACT programme in action”.
Don Cullinan of Ennis Men’s Shed and Ennis Tidy Towns stated, “We were thrilled to get involved in these projects. Working on the old benches and making the planters really gave our members a great sense of purpose and helped them feel more connected to the community. It’s brilliant to see people using and enjoying our work around town—and knowing we’re making a bit of a difference”.
