Tag Archives: John O’Dea

THE claim many years ago by Samuel  Johnson that “there is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn” springs to mind when  looking back on nearly 80 years of trading in O’Dea’s pub, Ennis. Over that period, the popular O’Connell Street premises carved out a niche for itself in the licensed trade of the capital town. Like most pubs, it has many a story to tell with its characters – and there were many of them – the great music sessions and the sing-songs, now almost exclusive to a family-run pub like O’Dea’s. But it has run its race with the decision of proprietor, John O’Dea, to retire from  the licensed trade entirely and consider other options for 66 O’Connell Street. Last weekend, as patrons ordered their last drinks, they looked back on great times in O’Dea’s but, at the same time,  expressed their disappointment at …

Limerick man, John O’Dea regained the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship title he last won in 2013 when he threw his tree a distance of 8.6 metres. Organised by Clare County Council, in conjunction with Active Ennis Sports and Leisure Facilities, the fourth annual event took place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park on Sunday, with all proceeds going to ISPCC Childline. Mr O’Dea was unable to beat the current Irish Record of 10.3 metres, which he shares with Dubliner Gary O’Growney, but the Cappamore man managed to stave off competition from 250 others to reclaim the Irish championship trophy. Meanwhile, the winner of the ladies section was Audrey Kavanagh (4.1m) while the U-12 section was won by Shane Kenny.

ENNIS-born artist, Mick O’Dea has been elected the 23rd president of the 193-year-old Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA). Mick’s election was confirmed at the annual general meeting of the RHA at Ely Place, Dublin, on Tuesday, and he takes over from architect Des McMahon, the designer of Glór in Ennis, among many other noted buildings including Croke Park, for a term which can vary but is usually five years. “There was an election, there was a number of candidates and I was successful,” the 58-year-old celebrated landscape, portrait and historical painter, who is also a member of Aosdána, told The Clare Champion. “I’m very proud to represent the RHA, a diverse selection of outstandingly talented people. That’s the biggest honour of all really. “It’s humbling. A lot of the members are, in my eyes, venerable people who have been practicing their arts through thick and thin for all their lives, into their eighties,” the newly elected president said, adding, “They were …