Representations have been made to the Taoiseach about the possibility of a pilot reopening of the Queens Nightclub in Ennis.

In recent weeks, Ennis Chamber, management of the Queens and directors of antigen testing company, Westland Health which is headquartered in Ennis have created what they’ve called a “considered and robust plan” to support a safe pilot night club reopening for a maximum of 250 people.

If the pilot is given the go ahead, antigen testing will be delivered by professional nurse practitioners on behalf of Westland Health.

Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) has made representations to An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (FF) on the matter and issued his strong support for the initiative. He believed utilising companies such as Westland Health would speed up the process of opening up society.

Deputy Carey stated, “A number of pilot re-opening cultural and sporting events are planned, why not have one in Ennis, which is the largest town in Munster? I am hopeful that this pilot will be given the green light. It would be a huge boost, not just for the Queens but for business in the town of Ennis. Also, young people need something to look forward to”.

“It has been a few years since I was in the Queens but it has been a right of passage for Clare people from all over the county. If they get the go ahead for this pilot and play Rhythm is a Dancer, I’d nearly be tempted to hit the dance floor myself,” the Clarecastle native quipped.

Director of the Queens Nightclub, Donal Lyne felt the pilots already undertaken in the UK and EU cities and towns can be learned from. “We need to look beyond outdoor events and we need to look beyond Dublin to pilot a safe re-opening of the night-time economy. Nightclubs throughout Ireland have been shuttered since March 2020 and currently we are in the dark about when we will have permission to re-open”.

Lyne explained, “What we are talking about is a single event in the first instance, with 250 volunteer attendees, who must agree to pre and post event antigen testing”.

Westland Health’s antigen testing team is led by nurse practitioners, who are experienced when it comes to testing at scale, as they work with employers and large organisations throughout Ireland. They envisage being able to test 100 volunteer clubbers per hour in advance of the proposed pilot. Follow up antigen testing would be arranged within five days of the event.

Darragh McAllister, President Ennis Chamber and himself a publican stated, “Ennis was the first town in Ireland to achieve Purple Flag status, which it still retains. This demonstrates our strong track record in putting people’s safety at the heart of our evening and night-time economy.”

Related News

Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (15)
The art of incubating and embracing a high-performance team
kilkishen
Appeal lodged over rejection of 61 houses in Kilkishen
Breakthrough proof
Empowering creativity and confidence at BreakThrough Dance Company
clare v waterford 11-02-24 conor cleary 1
Cleary returns for first start of 2025 as Clare remain in must-win territory

Advertisement

Latest News
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (16)
Golf footwear: spiked vs. spikeless
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (15)
The art of incubating and embracing a high-performance team
kilkishen
Appeal lodged over rejection of 61 houses in Kilkishen
Breakthrough proof
Empowering creativity and confidence at BreakThrough Dance Company
kildysart v doora barefield 01-09-24 rory mcmahon 1
McMahon handed first league start as Clare make trip to Sligo
Premium
clare v waterford 08-03-25 seán fennell 1
Clare U20s defeated by Waterford in Doonbeg
ennistymon community school tara rynne alex leyden conor rynne lawrence healy 1
Tara hoping to steer Ennistymon Community School to first All-Ireland triumph
clare v limerick 02-03-25 john conlon david reidy 1
'Clare have entered championship mode' - Conlon
éire óg v st breckans 06-08-22 35 maurice walsh
'We want to be peaking coming out of phase one' - Walsh & Clare U20s ready for championship opener
Donncha O'Dywer
'This is the last time some of us will play together so we hope it's a good one' - O'Dwyer

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.