Category: Hall of Fame

The Association is also proud to induct Professor Michael Kerin into its Hall of
Fame, in recognition of his extraordinary career in cancer surgery, research, and education.
Originally from Kilnamona, Professor Kerin is Chair of Surgery at the University of Galway, Clinical Director of the Saolta Cancer Academic Network, and Vice-
President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. In 2024, he was conferred
with the Doctor of Science (DSc) by the National University of Ireland for his
published research in breast cancer.
As Research Director of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute and a leader at the Lambe Institute for Translational Science, Professor Kerin has contributed to over 450 peer-reviewed papers, mentored more than 50 MD and PhD students, and helped shape cancer care policy nationally and internationally.

One of the most successful football managers in the history of Clare GAA, Colm Collins played football with Kilmihil with whom he won under 21 honours and was a member of the Kilmihil team which won the club’s only senior football championship title in 1980.

He took over as Clare senior football manager in 2013 when Clare were playing in Division Four of the Allianz National Football League. He led them to Division three, then to Division Two and was very unlucky on two occasions not to have them promoted to the top division. Under his management Clare played Division Two football for ten consecutive years. He managed Clare when they reached the Munster SFC final in 2023 and the guided them to contest two All-Ireland quarter-finals.

At local level he steered Cratloe football teams to win county championship titles including two senior titles with his sons Sean, Podge and David involved.

Meanwhile members of the Clare Association Dublin are also making plans for their annual charity walk which will be held on September 29. This year it will honour the late Ita O’ Looney, who died earlier this year. A native of Inagh, she was a supporter and popular member of the Clare Association. Proceeds from the walk will go towards the Clare Crusaders Clinic in Barefield.

This year’s 2023 Hall of Fame Award goes to Kieran Hanrahan for his lifelong dedication and promotion of traditional Irish Music both at home and abroad. An  native of Ennis, Kieran Hanrahan is a well-known musician and radio broadcaster. He is best known for his contribution to traditional Irish music
and his tireless efforts in promoting the music of his native country.
He is one of the founding members of Stockton’s Wing, Inchiquin, and
the Temple House Ceili Band. Kieran achieved a 1st Class Honors master’s degree (M.Mus. Hons) and was also awarded the DIT Gold Medal for Academic Achievement in 2012.

He has also played on three film soundtracks with the Chieftains and recorded with them on the Grammy Award winning CD The Long Black Veil which also featured Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones, Sinead O Connor, and Tom Jones. He co-arranged and performed the traditional music in the Jim Sheridan movie, The Field. In addition he arranged the traditional music and played in the Aidan Quinn movie This is My Father. Other recordings were with Tommy Hayes and Ronnie Drew. He also has a solo recording to his credit The Irish Tenor Banjo. He has been invited to attend festivals all over Ireland, France and the US and has taught in the University of Limerick and Boston College. A music broadcaster with RTÉ since 1991, he has presented shows such as The Fleadh Club, Both Sides Now and of course Céilí House, the flagship traditional music programme.

(Special thanks to Tony Mulvey for the biographical details above)

The Clare Association has voted to honour Mary Fitzgerald with a Clare Association Hall of Fame Award for her outstanding contribution in the area of domestic abuse in County Clare in providing refuge and support services to women and children fleeing domestic abuse through Clare Haven Services.

This award honours not only Mary’s efforts and also recognises the dedication and efforts of Colette Redington, Gerry Brennan and Madeline McAleer and the tremendous work of the Clare Haven Horizons Charity Shop which supports both the frontline services and the development work

Clare Haven Services is a voluntary organisation providing 24 hour residential refuge accommodation together with support and information to women and children who experience domestic abuse. It has an extensive range of support services to meet the needs of each individual and each family situation.

Haven Horizons, a national charity, has also been established to work to break the cycle of domestic abuse through international best practice and evidence-based prevention models and is committed to the elimination of gender based violence in society.