This article is from page 3 of the 2006-11-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE Poor Clare Sisters have backed down on their threat to end their 48-year association with Ennis over plans by a developer to construct a four-storey apartment block close to their monastery.
Last year, Ray Staunton and Kieran Flanagan secured planning permission for a four-storey apartment block on a site adjacent to Glór. It is to be separated from the Poor Clares by the new inner-relief road constructed by Ennis Town Council.
In opposing the plan, the Poor Clares, through architect Michael Leahy said, “Given the very serious nature of overlooking directly into the convent garden premises, we cannot see how the development as proposed can be allowed to proceed.
“The present location of the Poor Clare convent was chosen in order to be near to the Franciscan Friary, which provides the priests for masses for the Poor Clare convent and church. The sisters have indicated to me that they could not continue their contemplative lifestyle if the project in its present form proceeds and would have no alternative but to leave the present location.”
Outlining the Poor Clares’ “serious concern” over the project, Mr Leahy said that the sisters’ move to an alternative location if the apartment block did proceed “would represent a major loss to the people of Ennis”.
Mr Leahy said, “In addition to their life of prayer and contemplation, the nuns offer religious services to the people of Ennis, providing daily mass, Eucharistic elevation and benediction. They also provide sympathetic listening to anyone who cares to call and provide for specific persons with particular problems. For Ennis to lose this wonderful resource would be a very significant loss.”
However, the council granted permission after the developers met the Poor Clares’ concerns by agreeing to mitigation measures to prevent overlooking of the Poor Clares property.
Abbess, Sister Bernadine told The Clare People yesterday, “Our concerns have been met through a promise to plant trees and put in place screenings”.
Sister Bernadine said that there was no threat whatsoever on the sisters’ behalf to leave their current home.
She said, “None whatsoever. We are very well supported here by the community. We are in our own little world here and this is where we are meant to be.”