Moroney's Bar

Ennis Trad Festival 9th -13th November 2023

Thursday, 09 November 2023

Despite the inclement weather, lack of accommodation for visiting musicians the Ennis Trad Festival kick off this evening in the Queen's Hotel with the festival launch and this year's event promises to be a great spectacle. Given these dark wintry evenings what better way to enjoy them than going out to hear the many top class musicians playing on the session trail around the town. As always there is a huge array of events from CD launches, master classes in fiddle, accordion, concertina, flute, sean nos dancing and singing, Teen Trad disco, Trad quiz and of course the pub session trail.

Maurice and Tomas Walsh have put together a great line up over the weekend at Moroney's which includes three sessions on Saturday alone. The following is the list of trad sessions at Moroney's for the Trad Festival :

6:30pm Fri 10 Nov 2023 : Ornaith Lynch, Andrew McNamara, Pat Quinn & Brian Murphy

9:30pm Fri 10 Nov 2023 : Marcus Moloney, Kieran Kissane & Martin Dermody

2.00 pm Sat 11 Nov 2023 : Rebecca Collins, Alan Reid, Vincent Fogarty, Shannon Heaton & Kieran Kissane

7.00pm Sat 11 Nov 2023 : Daragh Murphy, Josie Nugent, Kate Moloney,& Richie Lyons

6.00pm Sun 12 Nov 2023 : Rebecca Collins, Aishling Lyons, Alan Reid & Michele Cavazzini

8.00pm Sun 12 Nov 2023 : Ornaith Lynch, Conor Arkins, Martin Nolan & Ruadhrai O’Kane

This is a great opportunity to hear some excellent musicians and enjoy a feast of top class music. Best wishes and continued success to the Ennis Trad Festival and committee from all at Moroney's

Happy Retirement Johnny Murphy

Sunday, 29 October 2023

On Saturday afternoon Johnny " Shoes" Murphy retired from his shoe maker repair shop in the Upper Market and so saw the loss of another well known Ennis family business. The business was started in July 1956 by Johnny's late father John Snr and was located on 59 O Connell Street , Ennis which was formerly known as The Forester's Club. As a young lad Johnny used serve Mass in The Friary and his late mother Breda used tell him when he was finished there to go up and help his father in the shop. In the Summer of 1980 after completing his Leaving Certificate in Ennis CBS Johnny started work in the shop alongside his father on the 21st June and 43 years later brings down the curtain on a fantastic career serving the people of Ennis, Clare. and afar.

In 2002 the shop moved to Cronin's Yard in the Upper Market which many Townies of a certain vintage will remember as Kelly's Coal yard . Their other business neighbours at the time included Jim Casey Trophies, Sean Spellissy 's book shop, a tattoo parlour and C Signs . The Murphys specialised in shoe repair, leather repair, handbags and even hurling helmets . Prior to the 1995 All Ireland Hurling Final ,Seanie McMahon had his helmet repaired by Johnny which lead to an influx of young hurlers down the years dropping in their own helmets for repairs. Indeed one of Johnny's last jobs was to repair a fiddle case which was once owned by Liam Mellows a TD in the first Dail and who was executed in 1922. Over the last weeks many of Johnny's customers have dropped in to wish him " Good Luck " on his retirement including his lifelong school friends Gearoid " Mannix " Mannion, Paddy " Harvey" Smyth and Noel Galvin. Johnny is looking forward to his retirement to spend more time with his wife Bernie, his children , grandchildren and also playing a few rounds of golf, following the fortunes Clare hurlers and of course his boyhood team Leeds United .

His many friends at Moroney's & Ennis Leeds United Supporters Club would like to take this opportunity to wish Johnny long health and happiness on his retirement . His presence will certainly be missed from The Market as his shop was always a stop off for a chat after a game or catch up not to mind getting the shoes re heeled or soled. As the anthem of his beloved team says " Marching On Together " . Call in when you're passing Johnny .

Check out the Photo Gallery under the heading Happy Retirement Johnny Murphy where there are 15 photos to view.

PJ Kelly, Townie, Gentleman RIP

Tuesday, 12 September 2023

It was with deep sadness on Sunday last that we heard of the sad passing of one of life's most courteous gentleman and fellow Ennis publican PJ Kelly. I first got to know PJ when I started working in Shannon Airport in the late 70's and he was working in the Flight Kitchen. On my first day of employment as I walked nervously through the Flight Kitchen PJ shouted out " Welcome to the base young Moroney and in the next breath had you breakfast yet ". Suffice to say I never went hungry there and thanks to the kindness and welcoming of PJ on my first day in employment it opened up a whole new world and set me up for a long career in Shannon. PJ was a big sports fan and loved hurling , soccer or a flutter on the horses. Indeed many is the winner he passed on to us over the years due to his great connections in the industry.

In April 2013 Ennis Leeds United Supporters Club ran The Mike Mac Golf Classic at Ennis Golf Club and we had John Giles down as guest of honour. My good friend Cyril " Slim" Corry asked would I drop John up to Kelly's to meet the locals and PJ who was a big fan of JG. On seeing the ex Man United & Leeds United great PJ 's eyes lit up and Giles was ushered in behind the counter for a photo. It was a lovely moment and on leaving the bar PJ shook my hand and said that it was a wonderful surprise to meet one of Ireland's greatest soccer players. I felt in a small way that I had made PJ's day just as he had done for me all those years ago in Shannon Airport.

To PJ's beloved wife Suzanne , children John, Emer, Alan and Sarah , extended family, friends and customers we the staff and patrons of Moroney's Bar extend our deepest sympathy on the passing of a wonderful gentleman . Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

Hall Of Fame Award For Kieran Hanrahan

Monday, 04 September 2023

One of Ennis's finest musicians Kieran Hanrahan was recognized with a Hall of Fame Award from the Clare Association Dublin at a ceremony in The Falls Hotel Ennistymon on Saturday night last. Kieran of the famed Stockton's Wing and RTE Radio's programme Céili House was honoured for his dedication and promotion of traditional music both at home and abroad. Hailing from St Michael's Villas, Kieran along with fellow Villas native Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon, Tommy Hayes and Tony Cullinan formed the famed Stockton's Wing band in 1977 and was later joined by his singer songwriter brother Michael. Kieran's family are steeped in traditional music, having inherited their love of music from their later parents Jackie and Mary Hanrahan. Brothers Joe and John are also accomplished musicians while Ger "Hanna" Hanrahan better noted for his soccer prowess played the drums when a group from St Michael's Villas won the Ceili Band title at Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann. We congratulate Kieran on his award and salute all those musicians from Ennis and Clare who make us all so proud of our musical heritage.

Bringing Back The Past

Monday, 17 July 2023

Last week despite the broken weather ,well known Ennis painter Eddie Hayes gave the front of the bar a facelift . Eddie is an early riser and was down at 7am to wash down the front before getting started on the painting. Never short of a word Eddie was in full flow with the locals passing up and down when I arrived and as always did a tremendous job. Many moons ago, even before my time I was told that there was an old timber Guinness sign hanging on the front wall of the pub. It was always something that I thought would be nice to bring back but it had to be in keeping with the building. Ironically Maurice had sourced an old antique one which he got restored and was wondering if it could be erected on the front.

On Saturday morning his great friend Cully Fitzgerald along with fellow Turnpike native Eric Pyne did a wonderful job in mounting the sign and bringing back memories I was only told about by my late father Gerry. They also erected a new flagpole which the Tricolour now flies from in honour of the Irish Ladies Soccer team which kicks off its World Cup vs Australia on Thursday next at 11am. We sincerely thank Eddie, Cully and Eric for their skill and workmanship and to Maurice for bringing back memories of another era.

In the Photo Gallery under the heading Bringing Back The Past there are some photos of the works carried out.

Our Dear Friend John James Dooley

Monday, 03 July 2023

It was with deep shock and sadness that we heard on Friday last of the sudden passing of our dear friend and Ennis Leeds United Supporters Club colleague John Dooley. Every time one met John they were greeted with a broad smile, a big hello and for us Ennislusc members what's was happening with Leeds. He was a regular in Moroney's for the televised Leeds games often in the company of his great friend and Liverpool fan James Fenton. No matter how vociferous we would get roaring them on John would sit back and never get excited just smiling away. John came on club trips to Leeds with us, with his first being the Colchester game on 1st February 2010. He was ecstatic to finally see Elland Road and often said to me it was one chalked off his life's wishes.

John was a true Dubliner who enjoyed the magnificent run of All Ireland Football wins for The Dubs over the last ten years and no doubt he relieved the bookies of some cash. He certainly would have enjoyed Sunday's win over Mayo and hopefully he was looking from afar and smiling as was John's way.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his beloved daughter Gillian, his wife Mary, brother Tony, sisters Evonne and Marie along with his extended family and multitude of friends. Rest in peace dear friend. We were privileged to spend some wonderful times in your company. MARCHING ON TOGETHER

Congratulations And Happy Retirement Brian

Monday, 01 May 2023

This morning I rambled around the corner to wish our great friend and fellow Market publican Brian Kelly all the best on his retirement. Brian who has been a brilliant neighbour is stepping away from behind the counter after 34 years in the bar trade having taken over the premises on Chapel Lane in 1989 . All his many friends at Moroney's would like to take this opportunity to wish Brian long health and happiness on his retirement and many enjoyable hours on the golf course. We look forward to seeing Brian around The Market when he calls down to Kelly's but this time on the other side of the counter.

Congratulations Newmarket Celtic

Sunday, 30 April 2023

Yesterday in Jackman Park Limerick, Newmarket Celtic captured the blue ribbon of Irish Junior Football when they beat St Michael's ( Tipperary Town) in a gripping FAI Junior Cup Final. The great Avenue United team of the 90's set the template for others to follow when they were unluckily beaten in the final in 1990 by a superb Cherry Orchard side who won the cup on six occasions in eleven years. I had the privilege of being in Dalymount Park back then shouting on Mannix & co so it was great to finally see a Clare team lift the trophy. We sincerely congratulate all present and former Newmarket Celtic players & mentors on this historic achievement. Also not forgetting our two excellent barmen and Celtic supporters, Newmarket native Ronnie Delaney and Ger " Hanna" Hanrahan who was a brilliant midfielder with Celtic and were thrilled with this victory.

Artists Of Their Craft

Friday, 24 March 2023

As a tribute to two of Clare's outstanding hurlers of any era we recently commissioned Ennis artist Harry Guinane to paint two portraits of Eire Og's Shane O Donnell and Ballyea's Tony Kelly. Harry hails from St Joseph's Terrace on Carmody Street and is son of the late Sean who himself was an outstanding hurler, footballer and County Secretary took many hours painstakingly perfecting the portraits. We certainly are thrilled with them and they now take pride of place on the back wall in our outdoor area. In the photo of Harry himself can be seen an oil painting of Newhall Missile who won the Boylesports Greyhound Consolation Derby 2018 for owners Noel Coote and the late Colin Barry and trainer John Browne.

Check out our Photo Gallery to view the photos.

Moroney's Is The Place To Watch The Cheltenham Racing Festival

Monday, 13 March 2023

The pinnacle of the National Hunt season gets under way tomorrow as Cheltenham starts their four day festival meeting. Thousands of Irish travel over every year and here at home many take annual leave and make a week of it especially as St Patrick's Day falls on the last days racing. Here at Moroney's you won't miss any of the action on our seven TV screens where the atmosphere will be electric and craic second to none. Food will be provide each day along with free bets and a few surprises. Doors open at 12 noon each day and Maurice, Ronnie, Hanna ,Dan, Tomas and Dara will be on hand over the four days to cater for all your needs. Call to Moroney's the best place to watch racing in Ennis.