THE Clare Champion’s photographer John Kelly has been capturing the life and times of the Banner county for over 30 years.
Last year was another successful one for John, adding Local Ireland photographer of the year 2021, to his ever growing catalogue of awards.
Here he selects his favourite images from the year just gone by. We look forward with great anticipation to what he produces in 2022.
A well worked hand is seen holding a cap as farmers look on while Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine addresses them and takes questions from the floor in Ennis mart during his visit to Clare on Monday. Photograph by John Kelly
Sacristan Michael Conlan preparing, and packing the ashes into envelopes, for collection by the congregation at Ennis Cathedral on Ash Wednesday. Photograph by John Kelly
Revd Kevin O Brien in rehearsals for the Autumn Evening Concert, featuring teachers of Clare Music Makers, in partnership with of St Columba’s Church. The concert will mark the 150th anniversary of St Columba’s. Photograph by John Kelly
Mushrooms growing on the trunk of a tree at Ballybeg woods, Clarecastle. Photograph by John Kelly
The Wind From The Door…The Autumn wind blows fallen leaves against “Hanorah’s Fairy Door” at Ballybeg woods, Clarecastle. Photograph by John Kelly
Ballyalla lake. Photograph by John Kelly
The three daughters of Robbie Hogan, Ballyea manager in the stand during the tense closing moments of their senior hurling championship final at Cusack Park. Photograph by John Kelly
Last year’s county champions Ballyea went down to eventual All-Ireland winners Ballygunner of Waterford. This year’s champions will face a Cork team in the Munster semi-final. Photograph by John Kelly
Clara, centre and her friends, discovering nature during an outdoor class at Ballyvaughan NS. Photograph by John Kelly
Members of the Cairde dance group performing for a live broadcast performance for ABC’s Good Morning America and the Uk’s This Morning shows from the Cllifs of Moher on St Patrick’s Day. Photograph by John Kelly.
A tree swing made from a car tyre blows in the wind at Carrigaholt village. Photograph by John Kelly
Eileen Lahiffe as the neighbour, Mary Ryan, with Neil Haran as Dan, in rehearsal for the Corofin Dramatic Society’s production of “A Thousand Deaths” by local man John Clancy, ahead of competition in the All Ireland One Act Festival Circuit which starts on 30th October with five festivals. The play will also be staged in Corofin Hall on 20th, 21st and 22nd October and in Hotel Doolin on 27th and 28th October. Photograph by John Kelly
Sandra Cox as Betty Duggan and Alan Maguire as Greg Dempsey in rehearsal for the Corofin Dramatic Society’s production of Credit Crunch, a comedy by local man Gerard Kennedy, which will be staged in Corofin Hall on 20th, 21st and 22nd as well as in Hotel Doolin on 27th and 28th. Photograph by John Kelly
Dan’s The Man… Scaffolders near the summit of their work piece around the Daniel O Connell monument at The Square in Ennis on Wednesday afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Assumpta and her dog Buddy out for a walk on the Gort road in Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly
Tess Mc Govern at Doolin. Photograph by John Kelly.
Liam Cooney, Michelle Reade and Reidin Dunne taking part in the Rasper Players (Wexford) production of Naomi In The Living Room as part of the 2021 All-Ireland 1-Act Finals Festival of Drama at Glor, Ennis. Photograph by John Kelly
Will You Go Lassie, Go! Cathal Reynolds has a novel way of walking his dog at Killaloe. Photograph by John Kelly
Silage being harvested at Scariff on Tuesday afternoon. This season has seen poor initial grass growth so far with many farmers starting their first crop harvest later than usual. Photograph by John Kelly.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar is seen reflected in a wall mirror as he addresses the gathering while Cllr P.J. Ryan, Mayor of Clare, Ann Norton, Mayor of Ennis and Pat Dowling, CEO Clare County Council look on at the launch of Ennis 2040 in the Old Ground Hotel. Photograph by John Kelly
Thomas Jolosho, centre, wins the boys U-14 hurdle race flanked by James Rochford and Aidan O Connell at the Ennis Community Games Athletics Finals in John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Photograph by John Kelly
Elizabeth Weir at the launch of the Drama At Ennis One Act Festival in the Old Ground Hotel. Photograph by John Kelly
Electricity supply power lines, which were damaged during Storm Barra, being repaired outside Connolly on Thursday afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Photograph by John Kelly
Friends Malika Mehdi and Leah Hogan boil up a spell in their cauldron ahead of the Halloween Festivities at The Cliffs Of Moher Visitor Experience. Photograph by John Kelly
Staff member Donal O Shea carving a pumpkin ahead of the Halloween Festivities at The Kilrush Amenity Trust Vandeleur Walled Gardens. Photograph by John Kelly
Dead Level…Staff members Declan Costello and Kieran O Shea unloading home made coffins from a car while helping to set up the decorations ahead of the Halloween Festivities at The Kilrush Amenity Trust Vandeleur Walled Gardens. Photograph by John Kelly
Jane Quinn of Sixmilebridge with her dog Woody. She is doing a sky dive this Friday to raise money for charity, to help a family to get a service dog for a child with autism. Photograph by John Kelly
Kilbridget Graveyard in Mullagh. Photograph by John Kelly
Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness…Rev Paul Fitzpatrick cleaning the historic Romanesque doorway window in preparation for a visit by the OPW to investigate the possibility of including the oratory in tours at St Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe. Photograph by John Kelly
Junior infants Aideen and Layla in the wild flower garden during SOS break at Kilmihil National School. Photograph by John Kelly
Brighter Days ….A couple sit on the rocks and watch the sunset at the Promenade in Lahinch on Tuesday afternoon. The easing of Covid-19 restrictions, especially the travel limit, have seen large crowds returning to the county’s hot spots. Photograph by John Kelly
A decorated rock, now well weather beaten, placed on the sea wall at Clahane, Liscannor earlier this year, as part of The Shore Wall Art Project, literally tells it’s tale as well as the story of many other people for who 2020 was a challenging year on their own proverbial journeys… Photograph by John Kelly
Referee Paul Howard sent Lissycasey manager Ger Keane outside the pitch for a while during their U-13, Div. 1 final at Cooraclare. However it didn’t deter him from passing on his knowledge to the team during the water break from outside the wire. Photograph by John Kelly
Lough Graney in east Clare. Photograph by John Kelly
Margaret Hough, a regular sea swimmer, is concerned about the safety and usefulness of the swimming ladder installed at the popular bathing area in Clahane, Liscannor. Photograph by John Kelly
Jamie Behan of Limerick gets acquainted with Brian Mc Namara of Clare during their Munster Minor Championship game at Cusack Park. Photograph by John Kelly
Michael Hannon, Main Street, Killaloe, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Photograph by John Kelly
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, checks out the Pyrite damage at the home of Seamus and Mary Hanley of Drumline during his visit there where he also met members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group. Photograph by John Kelly
The plumes from the ESB Moneypoint generating station chimneys invade an otherwise cloudless November sky. Photograph by John Kelly
Local lad Martin Mongans and his dad John with pony Starlight on the way home from school in Ennistymon. Photograph by John Kelly
Young Daniel Mc Carthy of Kilaspuglonane, during a visit to St Bridget’s Well at Liscannor. Photograph by John Kelly
Myriam Riand lighting candles during a visit to St Bridget’s Well at Liscannor. Photograph by John Kelly
The colourful sunset is reflected off the old train carriages at Moyasta Junction. Photograph by John Kelly
The hearse carrying the remains of the late Paddy Haren paused on his final journey near a bin On O Connell street, Ennis where the Kilmaley native often rested for a smoke, chatted to people and wrote notes. The procession was met by Fr Tom Ryan, PP, Ennis, who blessed the remains and wished Paddy well on his heavenly way. Photograph by John Kelly
Pakie Dooley of Mountshannon who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Photograph by John Kelly
Peggy Tuohy of Feakle, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday at Raheen Community Hospital. Pho
Rosie Foley swims regularly at two mile gate in Killaloe. Photograph by John Kelly
Jeweller maker Rowena Sheen in her workshop at The Courthouse Studios in Ennistymon. Photograph by John Kelly
Cara Mc Dermott of Whitegate about to check her Teddy Bear into Scariff Library for a sleep over as part of Clare County Library’s Summer Stars Activities Programme. Photograph by John Kelly
Tuamgraney’s Anne Whelan feeding the birds at Ducey’s Pier, Scariff. Photograph by John Kelly
Pretty Woman…A shop assistant dresses a mannequin in a shop at Shannon Town centre on Wednesday. Photograph by John Kelly
Words Coming Easy… Friends Phil Roche, Jo Cantwell and Jean Cunningham engrossed in their Wednesday weekly game of scrabble at the Sean Lemass Library in Shannon on a cold December afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Very ewe-seful animals… Emma and her younger sister Aoibhe Kelly tending to their sheep which have been lent to Lissycasey GAA by their parents to keep the pitch grass down during the Covid-restriction period. Photograph by John Kelly
Rough seas at Kilkee following the high winds of Storm Barra. Photograph by John Kelly
A TLI subcontractor crew member connecting an earth line to the wire on a fallen electricity pole which blew down in Doonaha following the high winds of Storm Barra. Photograph by John Kelly
Sun Worshipper… A man soaks in the rays at Spanish point beach on Monday afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Colm Gowran of Ennis Brass band plays the Last Post at a commemoration service to honour the airmen of the Sunderland plane which crashed in the bay at Doughmore,Doonbeg on December 3rd 1941. Photograph by John Kelly
Rock Concert…Pam Teese performs a song for friends Anne O Connor, Mika O Leary and Mary Healy while standing on a rock off Two Mile Gate in Killaloe while taking part in their daily swim. Photograph by John Kelly
Saoirse Doherty of Galway and John Mc Sherry of Tipperary are silhouetted against the winter sun as they dry off after taking a dip in the Pollock Holes at Kilkee on a sunny but cold November afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Holiday makers Marianne Staunton, Angela Murray- Hayden, Denise Mc Coole and Jane O Callaghan take a break on the sea wall at Ballyvaughan. Photograph by John Kelly
Lucy Fennelly, who runs the St Bernard Sanctuary in Carrigaholt and her husband James Fennelly walking some St Bernard dogs recently. Photograph by John Kelly
Paradise Found….Kevin Cleary leads his horses to fresh pastures at paradise, Ballynacally. Photograph by John Kelly
Cool As A Breeze…Terence Cronin, formerly of Middleline Scariff takes his daily dip at Knockaphort on the shores of Lough Derg. Photograph by John Kelly
Hurling Fever… Adam Mc Namara and Like Madden play hurling in the shade of an alleyway at Scariff. This weekend sees Clare taking on Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds in the hope of advancing to a Munster final appearance. Photograph by John Kelly
Green, green grass of home….Young Eoghan Mc Groary and his mother Fiona take a well earned break while cutting the grass in their estate at Laghtagoona, Corofin. Photograph by John Kelly
A tranquil frosty morning at Inchiquin Lake in Corofin. Photograph by John Kelly
A flock of sheep wintering out on the Burren landscape at Kilnaboy. Photograph by John Kelly
Five year old Aoibhe Burke and her seven year old brother Cian, from Miltown Malbay, having fun sliding down the iced sand dunes at Spanish Point on Wednesday afternoon. Photograph by John Kelly
Caught Napping…The easing of Covid-19 restrictions meant a day at the beach for some with a nap in the warm sunshine, taken at Spanish point beach. Photograph by John Kelly
Warmest Regards…..An old microwave oven doubles up as a post box in East Clare recently. Photograph by John Kelly
The wintery sun sets behind the famous Star Of the Sea church and spire at Quilty village in West Clare. Photograph by John Kelly
Rockmount’s Karen Carey, aged 9, and her pony princess Luna take a dip in the water at Seafield. Photograph by John Kelly
Making Shapes… Frank Buckley lunging his horse in the winter sunshine at Seafield. Photograph by John Kelly
Walking On Sunshine..beaches have become busy again, as a place for vital fresh air and exercise while the Covid-19 lockdown continues. Photograph by John Kelly
The windmills on Mount Callan as seen from Mullagh in West Clare. Photograph by John Kelly
No problem with social distancing on the horseshoe beach in Kilkee. Photograph by John Kelly
Young Evie Mc Grath admiring the Christmas lights on the stairway to Santa’s Grotto at the Vandeleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush. Photograph by John Kelly