Medical cover for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann will ramp up significantly from tomorrow as huge crowds are expected in Ennis over the festival weekend.
Additional Civil Defence resources are being drafted in from neighbouring counties and a dedicated walk-in medical centre will open on Station Road from Thursday.
From tomorrow, a medical control centre operated by Clare Civil Defence will relocate – along with other emergency services – to a Fleadh control centre at Aras Chontae an Chlair.
With huge numbers already visiting Ennis since the opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann last Sunday, preparations for even bigger crowds are well underway.
Clare Civil Defence are tasked with coordinating medical cover for the Fleadh and their operations will step up a gear from tomorrow.
A walk-in medical centre will be up and running from Thursday at 11am at the Maria Assumpta Hall on Station Road.
The facility – which is similar to a small injuries clinic – will be supported by GPs from 6pm to midnight.
Noel Carmody, Civil Defence Officer with Clare County Council says the medical centre will look after those with minor injuries and arrange the appropriate care for those who require more support.
Clare Civil Defence will also be drafting in personnel from Limerick, Tipperary and Galway to assist in the operation and up to 120 members will be involved over the course of the Fleadh.
A mobile medical control centre – which responds to calls by deploying the appropriate services – is currently located at the Height.
From tomorrow, that will move to a control centre at Aras Chontae an Chlair, along with other emergency services.
Martin Kelly is the medical controller with Civil Defence during the Fleadh.
He says the service has, so far, had a quiet week, but they're fully prepared in the event of a major emergency.
