There is no excuse for not being able to discover the history of Ennis, County Clare
what with the numerous great publications being released by the
Clare Roots Society
and their many members who have a passion for history.
The most recent publications are to be launched next week...
YOU ARE INVITED...
by
CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY
Thursday Night the 26th June at 8.00 p.m. in the Old Ground Hotel
to the double book launch
of
MEMORIES OF CUSACK ROAD / CLAUREEN
and
ONE MILE INN SQUASH CLUB 1974-1991
Both books will be launched by Councillor Mary Howard
who is representing the Mayor of Ennis Johnny Flynn.
“MEMORIES OF CUSACK ROAD / CLAUREEN ”
written and researched by
MARY FEALY MC MAHON
via Google Maps
The Maid of Erin Monument was erected in 1881 and was moved on two subsequent occasions to its current location.
The area is unique in Ennis as it has 3 historical houses that have undergone little change since their construction, Ashfield House, Westbourne House, Claureen House.
The associated families and Bishops are identified and detailed.
The two Bridges associated with the area Claureen (built c. 1760) & Victoria Bridge (built c. 1840) are reviewed from their design to their construction.
The booklet also includes the history associated with Ennis Swimming Club at the Turrett
from 1856 to the construction of Ennis first permanent Swimming Pool in October 1969
until the current facilities were opened in September 2003.
We learn about the history of the One Mill Inn from its foundation on the 26th June 1970 to its closure and subsequent sale.
During this time the Building & Lands were the home of a Squash Club, Pitch & Putt Club, and Hermitage Soccer Club.
Various Set Dancing groups are also featured. Various Circuses along with Marquee Dancing pitched their tent on the lands of the One Mile Inn.
The Building of four grass courts associated with Fergus Lawn & Tennis Club took place in 1935.
Childhood memories are recalled by Jerry Cahir, Brendan Carroll, Fr. Frank Cassidy, Mary Fealy McMahon, Rory O’ Connor, Aidan Deegan.
Some of the current and past residents of Claureen / Cusack Road listed are
Allen, Ambrose, Bannatyne, Barrett, Berth, Butler, Byrth, Cahir, Canny, Casey, Cassidy, Collins, Coote, Corey, Cullinan,
Davoren, Deegan, Donnellan, Drinan, Duggan, Egan, Fealy, Fitzgerald, Graham, Greene, Griffin, Hanrahan, Honan, Howard,
Keane, Keane, Keavey, Larkin, Linnane, Lucas, Mahon, McBeth, McCrum, McMahon, McNamara, Moriarty, Morley, Moroney, Murrihy, Murry,
Nagel, Nugent, O’Driscoll, O’Grady, O’Halloran, O’Loughlin, O’Mara, Parkinson, Quinn,
Reidy, Roughan, Ryan, Rynne, Scarratt, Sexton, Slattery, Walsh, Whyms.
The book is illustrated throughout with photos.
Mary Fealy Mc Mahon is the only daughter and youngest child of Jim & Mary Fealy Claureen Ennis.
Her school years were spent in the Holy Family & Coláiste Mhuire. After leaving school Mary mainly worked in sales.
She is married to Gerry McMahon and they have two grown up children, Oliver and Denise.
Mary first became interested in genealogy in the 1980's and has since been able to piece together a tapestry of her grandfather's life.
Genealogy is addictive, it can keep you sane or drive you insane. But it's a hobby which you can pick up any time
and just continue from where you left off no matter how many years it lays on a shelf or in the attic.
It was only natural that when Clare Roots Society was founded Mary and her husband Gerry were in attendance.
Mary reminds us that the lives of those mentioned in her book have loved, lost, laughed, wept,
but for you and me they live again in spirit inside our Family Tree.
GER BROWNE ,
a member of Clare Roots Society
will also launch his book
“THE ONE MILE INN SQUASH CLUB 1974-1991”.
Every club and every sport has a story to tell,
records need to be kept and published but far too many,
for whatever reason, never get around to putting it down on paper.
In the booklet
“A HISTORY OF THE ONE MILE INN SQUASH CLUB”
Ger Browne has brought many memories back to an area in 1980 when 21 courts and 14 squash clubs featured in the County for both men and women. The opening of the One Mile Club in 1974 lead to the development of other clubs across the county.
This book, running to 80 pages, recalls the formation of the club before going through year by year, and their various successes giving details of the many competitions promoted within the club. The book lists the various committees that served, the many teams that brought titles to the club and the team that won a Munster junior title in 1982.
Ger recalls the many great matches involving the leading players in the game in Clare including
Denis Maurer, Tony Lillis, Colm McLaughlin, Liam Cahir, Dickie Pyne, the late Paddy Kelly, Margaret Lacheiner, Mary Hennessy, Paul Costelloe and many others.
There are many stories like the night a member argued that the ball had burst after he threw the ball into a packed balcony. Nobody bothered to check at the time, but when the crowd were leaving the balcony after the game the ball was found to be in perfect condition.
Ger Brown a member of Clare Roots Society was the former chairperson of the One Mile Inn club.This book will bring back many memories of enjoyment to anyone that was part of the One Mile Inn Squash Club.
