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Hall of Fame Award 2015 – Shéamus Mac Mathúna

Tá an-áthas orainn a fhógairt gur bronnadh duais Muintir an Chláir – Clare Association Dublin Hall of Fame 2015 ar Shéamus Mac Mathúna. Is ceoltóir cáiliúil é Séamas Mac Mathúna agus tá sé ar a chumas an fliúit a sheinm, amhráin a chanadh agus portaireacht béil a dhéanamh.


Muintir an Chláir – Clare Association Dublin is proud to announce that Séamus Mac Mathúna has been presented with the Hall of Fame 2015 award for his contribution to traditional Irish music and song. From Gower, Cooraclare, Co.Clare, during his youth Séamus Mac Mathúna’s interest in Irish music and singing was fostered by singers and musicians of the area.

When he was appointed Regional Organiser for Conradh na Gaeilge in Cork and Kerry, he moved to live in Cúil Aodha in the Muscraí Gaeltacht. An accomplished singer, musician and composer in his own right, in the 1970s he took up full time employment with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as Timire Cheoil and moved to Dublin, where he recorded many of finest musicians and singers in Ireland for inclusion in the the Comhaltas Archive. Now in retirement, he continues to sing and perform regularly.

The awards were presented at the 2015 dinner dance in the Clyde Court Hotel, Ballsbridge on 31st January and a great night was had by all.

Clareperson of the Year 2015 – Marty Morrissey

Muintir an Chláir – Clare Association Dublin is delighted to announce that the Marty Morrissey, RTÉ’s Gaelic Games correspondent, has been presented with the Clareperson of the Year Award 2015 for his services to sport and to Gaelic games in particular.

In his youth Marty Morrissey was a dual player, playing hurling with Ballyea GAA and Clonbony GAA ,and Gaelic football with Kilmurry Ibrickane GAA, St. Flannan’s College (runner up in the 1976 Munster Final), University College Cork and Clare GAA. He joined the RTÉ Sports Department in 1994, and has commentated on many sporting events but specialises in all matters GAA. He has worked on some of RTÉ Sport’s biggest productions including the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.

Clare’s Wonderland, The Burren, the DVD 

The unique attractions of the world famous Burren are highlighted in the first personal DVD of the area, which was launched last week in the Burren Centre, Kilfenora by Killimer native, Professor Michael O’Connell of University College Galway.

Entitled Clare’s Wonderland, The Burren, the DVD is based on a book of the same name by Br. Sean MacNamara, Ennis. The hour-long DVD is a personal account of the Burren by Br. Sean, who has been a regular visitor to the Burren for about 50 years.

It contains some pen pictures of some men associated with the Burren, including Brian Merriman; John Philip Holland, Liscannor; Michael Cusack of Carron; Paddy Nolan, Glenisheen, who discovered the Gold Collar in 1932; Charles Lucas, who wrote the first account of the national history of the Burren; Micho Russell of Doolin and Frederick J. Foot, a native of Dublin who produced a botanical map of the Burren and the first worthwhile list of plants in the area. He is credited as the first person to discover the very rare pyrmidal bugle in 1862.

Apart from photographs and drawings of many rare plants, there are pictures and information on Corcomroe Abbey, Kilfenora Cathedral, Coad Church, the old church in Kilnaboy, Carron Church and Templecronan. The DVD also highlights Lemenagh Castle, the Tau Cross, Ballyportry Castle, the Pinnacle Well, the Gleninsheen Gorget, the Cusack Centre, Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells, the Merriman memorial in Ennistymon and Lake Inchiquin.Also included are colourful drawings by Marianne McGeough who produced the DVD. Most of the photographs are by John Brody and Paul Sinnott.

“By looking and listening to the DVD they will realise that the Burren is indeed a wonderland and much more than a botanical paradise. Every school, hotel and guesthouse in Clare should have a copy of the DVD, which is available at the Burren Centre in Kilfenora” said Br. McNamara. The DVD opens with music from the Kilfenora Céilí Band and ends with tunes from Chris Droney, Bellharbour.

Our thanks to Tony Mulvey and the Clare Champion  for permission to reproduce this article which was published on May 8, 2015

Clare’s Wonderland, The Burren, the DVD Launch

The unique attractions of the world famous Burren are highlighted in the first personal DVD of the area, which was launched last week in the Burren Centre, Kilfenora by Killimer native, Professor Michael O’Connell of University College Galway.

Entitled Clare’s Wonderland, The Burren, the DVD is based on a book of the same name by Br. Sean MacNamara, Ennis. The hour-long DVD is a personal account of the Burren by Br. Sean, who has been a regular visitor to the Burren for about 50 years.

It contains some pen pictures of some men associated with the Burren, including Brian Merriman; John Philip Holland, Liscannor; Michael Cusack of Carron; Paddy Nolan, Glenisheen, who discovered the Gold Collar in 1932; Charles Lucas, who wrote the first account of the national history of the Burren; Micho Russell of Doolin and Frederick J. Foot, a native of Dublin who produced a botanical map of the Burren and the first worthwhile list of plants in the area. He is credited as the first person to discover the very rare pyrmidal bugle in 1862.

Apart from photographs and drawings of many rare plants, there are pictures and information on Corcomroe Abbey, Kilfenora Cathedral, Coad Church, the old church in Kilnaboy, Carron Church and Templecronan. The DVD also highlights Lemenagh Castle, the Tau Cross, Ballyportry Castle, the Pinnacle Well, the Gleninsheen Gorget, the Cusack Centre, Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells, the Merriman memorial in Ennistymon and Lake Inchiquin.Also included are colourful drawings by Marianne McGeough who produced the DVD. Most of the photographs are by John Brody and Paul Sinnott.

“By looking and listening to the DVD they will realise that the Burren is indeed a wonderland and much more than a botanical paradise. Every school, hotel and guesthouse in Clare should have a copy of the DVD, which is available at the Burren Centre in Kilfenora” said Br. McNamara. The DVD opens with music from the Kilfenora Céilí Band and ends with tunes from Chris Droney, Bellharbour.

Our thanks to Tony Mulvey and the Clare Champion  for permission to reproduce this article which was published on May 8, 2015

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue RIP

It is with great regret that Muintir an Chláir – Clare Association Dublin has learned of the recent death of Sr. Maura O’Donoghue, medical doctor and missionary nun.  A native of Lickeen, Kilfenora, Sr. Maura  was presented with the award of Clare Person of the Year by Muintir an Chláir in 2011, in recognition of her courageous work among the sick, the vulnerable and the marginalised, mainly in Africa. More details here.

Members of the association attended Sr. Maura’s funeral Mass in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Beechgrove,  Drogheda on 6th May, 2015.  One of the gifts brought up during the offertory procession was the engraved vase which she received when awarded Clare Person of the Year in 2011. The association wishes to extend its sympathies to her family, to her friends and to the community of the Medical Missionaries of Mary.

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue’s month’s mind Mass was celebrated in St Fachtna’s Church, Kilfenora on Sunday, May 31st at 10 a.m.

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue, Medical Missionaries of Mary, died on 5 May 2015. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílís.

Hall of Fame Award 2014 – Fr. Harry Bohan

Pictured left to right: Mr. Liam O’Looney Fr. Harry Bohan, recipient of the Hall of Fame Award 2014 and Mr. Pat O’Donnell.

This year’s recipient is of the Hall of Fame award is sociologist Fr. Harry Bohan in honour of his many years of work in rural development. A former Clare hurling manager in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning two National League hurling titles and reaching three Munster finals, he later served as a hurling selector. One of Ireland’s best known social commentators, he founded the Rural Resource Organisation which built houses in 120 villages throughout Ireland.

Fr. Bohan founded the Céifin Centre for Values in 1998, which evolved from practical experience of developing communities across Ireland in an effort to counter the growth of cities. Céifin’s main aim is to generate the capacity for debate on social change issues. It does this through facilitating a number of activities and programmes including conferences, lectures, workshops and research projects. Further information on these initiatives is available at www.ceifin.com

Clare Person of the Year 2014 – Davy Fitzgerald

Pictured left to right: Mr. Liam O’Looney and Mr. Davy Fitzgerald, Clare Person of the Year, 2014

The 2014 recipient of Clare Person of the Year is Mr. Davy Fitzgerald, RTÉ Sports Manager of the Year Award 2013, Manager of the County Clare Senior Hurling team and the 2013 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners.

We wish to acknowledge the well-deserved success of the Clare Senior hurling team in winning the All-Ireland Championship in a thrilling match replay against Cork on September 28, 2013.

This talented team lifted the spirits of Clare people everywhere in a magnificent display of hurling skill which made this match one of the most enjoyable sporting spectacles in recent times.

New York Tribute To Ennis Christian Brother

Members of the County Clare Patriotic, Benevolent and Social Association of New York are the latest to join in congratulating Brother Sean MacNamara of the Irish Christian Brothers, Ennis on celebrating his 70th year in the order.

Bill Lewis (left)chairman of the Board of Directors of the Clare Association in New York making a presentation to Brother Sean MacNamara, Ennis,to mark his 70th year in the Irish Christian Brothers.

Bill Lewis, who is New York born, also visited his cousins and friends in Killaloe. His father, William Lewis came from Killaloe and his mother was a member of the O’Grady family from Sligo. He made the presentation to Brother MacNamara at Clare County Council headquarters- Áras Contae an Chláir- at New Road, Ennis prior to a monthly meeting of Clare County Council.

Afterwards he renewed acquaintances with the Mayor of Clare, John Crowe, council members and officials. He met many of them when they travelled to New York for the 125th year celebrations of the Clare Association last year and for the St. Patrick’s Day parades.

His itinerary also included a visit to Tulla to meet members of the Tulla Pipe Band. Last year they invited the band to lead them up 5th Avenue in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The band also marched in Brooklyn and gave a memorable performance at the National Park on Ellis Island.

Bill Lewis told The Clare Champion that the Clare Association in New York is going well. They recently held their annual dinner dance and their annual general meeting. They are also preparing for their participation in the St.Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

Above article and photograph by Tony Mulvey reproduced with permission from the Clare Champion, 13 November, 2014

2014 New York Tribute To Ennis Christian Brother

Members of the County Clare Patriotic, Benevolent and Social Association of New York are the latest to join in congratulating Brother Sean MacNamara of the Irish Christian Brothers, Ennis on celebrating his 70th year in the order.

Bill Lewis (left)chairman of the Board of Directors of the Clare Association in New York making a presentation to Brother Sean MacNamara, Ennis,to mark his 70th year in the Irish Christian Brothers.Their good wishes were conveyed by Bill Lewis, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Clare Association in New York, who made a presentation to Brother MacNamara on their behalf on a visit to Ennis in November 2014. He paid tribute to the Kilmurry McMahon native on reaching a milestone in his association with the Christian Brothers and also for his work on behalf of the GAA, Muintir an Chláir in Dublin and many other voluntary organisations.

Bill Lewis, who is New York born, also visited his cousins and friends in Killaloe. His father, William Lewis came from Killaloe and his mother was a member of the O’Grady family from Sligo. He made the presentation to Brother MacNamara at Clare County Council headquarters- Áras Contae an Chláir- at New Road, Ennis prior to a monthly meeting of Clare County Council.

Afterwards he renewed acquaintances with the Mayor of Clare, John Crowe, council members and officials. He met many of them when they travelled to New York for the 125th year celebrations of the Clare Association last year and for the St. Patrick’s Day parades.

His itinerary also included a visit to Tulla to meet members of the Tulla Pipe Band. Last year they invited the band to lead them up 5th Avenue in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The band also marched in Brooklyn and gave a memorable performance at the National Park on Ellis Island.

Bill Lewis told The Clare Champion that the Clare Association in New York is going well. They recently held their annual dinner dance and their annual general meeting. They are also preparing for their participation in the St.Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

Above article and photograph by Tony Mulvey reproduced with permission from the Clare Champion, 13 November, 2014

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue RIP

It is with great regret that Muintir an Chláir – Clare Association Dublin has learned of the recent death of Sr. Maura O’Donoghue, medical doctor and missionary nun.  A native of Lickeen, Kilfenora, Sr. Maura  was presented with the award of Clare Person of the Year by Muintir an Chláir in 2011, in recognition of her courageous work among the sick, the vulnerable and the marginalised, mainly in Africa. More details here.

Members of the association attended Sr. Maura’s funeral Mass in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Beechgrove,  Drogheda on 6th May, 2015.  One of the gifts brought up during the offertory procession was the engraved vase which she received when awarded Clare Person of the Year in 2011. The association wishes to extend its sympathies to her family, to her friends and to the community of the Medical Missionaries of Mary.

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue’s month’s mind Mass was celebrated in St Fachtna’s Church, Kilfenora on Sunday, May 31st at 10 a.m.

Sr. Maura O’Donoghue, Medical Missionaries of Mary, died on 5 May 2015. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílís.