Tag Archives: Kilnamona

EIGHT teams set out this week in search of the Clare Senior Camogie Championship title and between now and the final, on the weekend of October 15/16, some lively contests are expected. Newmarket are the defending champions and they start the campaign as the favourites but Inagh-Kilnamona, Clooney-Quin and Kilmaley are all expected to challenge strongly for the title. The competition is divided into two groups of four and at the end of the group stage, the top two teams in each will qualify for the semi-finals, with the remaining two in each group going on to play for the shield. The intermediate championship title race also gets underway this weekend, with seven teams taking part. They are divided into two groups, one of four and one of three. As with the senior, the top two in each group will contest the semi-finals with the remaining teams competing for the shield. There will be four teams in the Junior A …

The founder of a well-known cancer support centre has been awarded the inaugural Ennis and District Soroptimist Woman of the Year award. The award was presented to Mary Heuson, who has worked tirelessly with her team of volunteers and staff over the last six years without any fanfare. Slainte an Chláir, which is located at Tir Mhuire, Kilnamona about  five miles outside of Ennis, promises to be a “home away from home” for people who need assistance trying to cope with cancer. The centre was set up in May 2010 after 400 people turned up for a public information meeting at the West County Hotel in February 2010. The centre doesn’t receive any funding outside of what it raises itself, including ventures such as its craft fair, which will be held in the Maria Assumpta Hall beside the Cathedral in Ennis this Saturday from 10am to 2pm.  Handmade crafts at the centre will be on offer, along with a bake …

A NORTH Clare man is introducing tourists to the mysteries of the Burren. Enda McGuane, founder of West Coast Cycle Tours, explained how visits from friends inspired his flagship tour, the Wild Atlantic Day. “I got a bike about seven or eight years ago on the Bike to Work Scheme and am living in Kilnamona so I’m close to the Burren and the coast, so I came up with this from cycling around on my own and with my friends and seeing what was out there that was good to do. When my friends from outside the county or from college would come up to visit, I’d take them to these places,” he said. “The one thing about cycling here is that it is not as safe in Ireland as it is on the continent but we have tried to pick the most scenic and safe routes. The Western Greenway and the West Clare Railway are great starts in providing …

A KILNAMONA-based couple, who operate a tourism business, have to run it from a variety of cafés in Ennis, due to the lack of broadband where they live. Henry Wilkinson has told The Clare Champion that they would not have moved to Kilnamona had they been aware that broadband access was an issue. “Had we known back in December that there was no broadband in the area, we would not have taken a year’s lease. My fiancée and I recently moved to the area to be closer to her parents. We run our own tourism-based business and urgently need access to fast, reliable broadband,” Mr Wilkinson explained. The absence of broadband has resulted in the couple having to work from Ennis. “Over the past four months, we have been making daily trips to Ennis to sit in coffee shops and try and run our business, which is expensive and not ideal. Where do we go from here? Will broadband be …

HE was famously known around Ennis as “the man with the tractor”. Yet there was a lot more to John O’Donoghue, a whole lot more. In the first instance, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a neighbour and, above all else, a friend. A man who neither backed down nor backed off when put to the test, a man with an iron will when he had made his mind up and a person who lived every one of his 93 years without fear. To further enhance his many hidden qualities, he was a passionate GAA man, an engrossing political enthusiast and an outstanding conversationalist and raconteur. John was born in the townland of Drumcreen on the borders of Dysart and Kilnamona in June 1920. He was the second child of Jack and Mary O’Donoghue (née Kelly). His sister, Bridie, married in Crusheen and became the mother of the famous Tierney clan there. John inherited the family farm when …

EIGHT out of 10 cancer sufferers had to give up employment or change their work hours due to fatigue, a study undertaken by Sláinte an Chláir has shown. Details of the study are contained in a new information booklet, developed by members and friends of Sláinte an Chláir, which will be officially launched at Waterpark House, Ennis next Thursday at 2pm. Anyone affected by cancer on an individual basis or those who have family members affected by the condition are welcome to attend the launch. The Kilnamona centre helps people to access information on all aspects of cancer, including diagnosis, treatment and after care, as well as providing practical support for people and their families. “Meeting people who have been through a similar experience can definitely help to make the journey with cancer a little easier. Our members and friends are very happy to share their experiences and to support people affected by cancer,” said a spokesperson. The booklet provides …