The family had been thinking of getting a computer, so the offer of a IR�260 ($316) deal from the Ennis scheme was too good to miss.

"Anyone who had turned down the offer would have been mad, although you had to do a test to show basic computer literacy," said Mr Hally.

"We had toyed with getting one because the kids wanted one for various school projects and we had cousins in various places who were on the net so we thought it would be great to keep in touch."

He has done a basic computer course and is now studying web design.

Mr Hally has just published a website for the local boys' hurling and gaelic football club.

"The satisfying thing was that I didn't use any package. I did a web design HTML course and built it from scratch," he said.

Next on his list is a family website, something others in Ennis have already tackled.

"There's a new language in town," added Mr Hally. "Everybody's talking about hard drives and floppy disks."

Mrs Hally was keen to do online shopping when the scheme got under way, but not many local stores offer an internet service.

The family arranged this year's holiday on the net, and buy items such as books.

"We had a vision that you would be able to e-mail your supermarket and have a delivery made," she said.

"I would love to do more. I think the greatest chore you have is the grocery shopping."

The family used the computer to help with costings when they moved house recently, and they e-mail photos to relatives living in other countries.

Mrs Hally has also stopped buying newspapers, as she reads them on the internet.

"It hasn't changed our lives, but it has helped us to do things we have always done, made life a bit easier," she said.

It's just like any household appliance - you use it as you need."

Kevin knew nothing about computers before the family acquired one.

His main interest is games. He does use the internet, although admits it can be confusing.

But he acknowledges that his experience will help with his studies when he is older.

Joseph does internet research on computers at school. However, access can be limited, so he's glad he is able to continue his work at home.

As well as playing games, he likes to e-mail friends and listen to radio stations on the internet.

But Joseph could well turn out to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Ennis Information Age Town project - he has decided he wants to become a computer engineer.