Community News

Published on September 28, 2023

O’Gonnelloe Exchange: On Saturday 30 Sept we are planning to hold a biodiversity talk by Fran Giaquinto, followed by a visit to a grassy area near Gaynor’s old cottage on the main road to survey the grassland and identify plant species, running from 10.00am to 12.00 noon. The talk will be about how best to manage grassland areas in public spaces and at home, in order to encourage biodiversity.
We have been running a small project on the grassy area near Gaynor’s cottage for the past two years to encourage more plant biodiversity and it has had very good results. Fran will explain how this works and give guidance on how we can improve biodiversity in our local area and at home. The meeting will start at 10.00am at the Community Hall and we will be finished at 12.00 noon at the grassy area.

Helplines: • ALONE (for older people) 0818 222 024 • Women’s Aid Helpline 1800 341900 • Pieta: 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 • Clare Haven 065 6822435 • Samaritans, Ennis – 065 6829777 • St. Vincent de Paul, East Clare – 086 3921492.

Bodyke Ogonnelloe Tuamgraney Youth Club: provides an opportunity for youths aged 12 to 17 to socialise in a safe space where they can prioritise how they would like to spend some time [ while supervised by Youth club leaders]. For further information please contact 087 776 7449.

Raheen Day Centre welcomes new referrals at any time.  If you or someone you know would like to avail of this service where you can meet people, avail of hairdressing, chiropody, music sessions, advocacy support and a hot meal – call Áine on 061-923215 for further information.

Age Friendly Mornings at Scariff Library: lots of services in place to enable and support older people in the community. All are welcome to join us every Tuesday morning from 10.30am to watch a film, play a game of cards, read the papers, have a chat with friends, enjoy a cuppa or just relax and enjoy the space. For more information please contact 061 922893.

Community Information System: As part of the Community Development Plan the Communications Strand is in the process of establishing a community information network. This will involve compiling a database of the mobile phone numbers and email addresses of as many people as possible in the community. The database will be used to disseminate community information to community members primarily by text message and also by email. It will be a one-way, no-reply system carrying only community information and coming through one source. It will not be a chat-group or a forum. It will simply be a one-way channel for relevant community information moderated by the Communications Strand. The database will never be shared with any other person, organisation or group within or outside the community. Over the next few weeks members of the Communications Strand, people you know personally, will contact you in person to get your permission to add your phone number and/or your email address to the database. No one’s contact details will be added without that person’s express permission. We encourage you to participate. We believe this service will be of great benefit to the community and will keep people informed of a wide range of community activities, initiatives and opportunities. Eugene Hogan & Jim O’Brien Communications Strand

The O’Gonnelloe Community Development Plan: ogonnelloeparish.ie/…/OGonnelloe-Community-Development-Plan.pdf

O’Gonnelloe Community Development Plan

O’Gonnelloe Ukraine Support Group: A group drawn from community, sporting and social organisations in O’Gonnelloe has been established to ensure that we are in a state of readiness to support any Ukrainian refugees who arrive here for short or long-term stays over the coming weeks and months. Our first meeting was held in the O’Gonnelloe Community Hall recently and a priority actions from this were to ascertain if there are any vacant residential units in the parish that could be made available for Ukraine families and if there any properties/homes in the community that refugees are going to be located to. The purpose of this is so we can put a support programme behind the new arrivals. We would ask that anyone who needs support from our group, assistance in making a property available or, indeed, a support network in place for any refugees that arrive to please email us at ogonnelloeukraine@gmail.com or leave a note with your contact details into the parish office at O’Gonnelloe Community Hall.

SVP East Clare: Behind each headline people see in the paper or on the news are real life people who are losing so much. As always, your donations make a difference, meaning that our volunteers can continue to support those most in need in East Clare. Our bank details below can be used for online or in branch donations. You can also contact SVP East Clare, in confidence, on 086 392 1492 or via email at stcaimins.eastclare@svp.ie.   Account Name: East Clare SVP. Bank of Ireland. IBAN No: IE91 BOFI 9044 1363 2045 45. BIC No: BOFIIE2D.

Clare MABS: Are you struggling to make ends meet? Are you worried about money you owe to lenders, credit cards, banks and mortgage lenders? For free, confidential and independent advice please contact on 0761 072430 or email us at ennis@mabs.ie