*Photograph: Martin Connolly
Ennis’ much maligned Market Building cannot be used an outdoor concert venue by glór because it has walls.
Initially approved by the now defunct Ennis Town Council, the €500,000 Market Building was part of a €1.75m redevelopment.
In a proposal before the Ennis Municipal District this week, Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) requested Clare County Council and glór to “arrange a series of outdoor concerts, to be held in the Market building at times that would not interfere with trading in the area”.
Fáilte Ireland’s definition of what is deemed to be a safe outdoor space has prohibited glór from using the Market Building. The fact that the Market Building has walls and is officially designated as an indoor space despite being primarily used as a car park prohibits its use as an outdoor venue.
Clare Arts Officer, Siobhán Mulcahy outlined that they are currently working with Fidget Feet Irish Aerial Dance Company to provide entertainment in Ennis over the summer months, “if suitable to their needs we will give consideration to the Market Building. The Arts Office is also operating the Outdoor Live Music Local Performance Scheme countywide, including in Ennis. We are currently assessing the applications under this scheme and again, will give due consideration to use of the Market building, subject to public health guidelines and technical requirements of the applicants”.
Director of glór, Orla Flanagan in a written response detailed that two drive in dance performances have been staged as part of Lasta Young Curator’s Festival in June with a production by the Gate Theatre and Mikel Murfi on a truck in the car park at Glór at the end of July.
