Kilfenora celebrates Guinness award for largest Irish folk band

On behalf of The Kilfenora Senior Citizens group, Comhar Conradh na Boirne Teo hosted a reception on Friday February 5th at The Burren Centre, Kilfenora to acknowledge the efforts of all who participated in helping to achieve a Guinness Book World Record.

On 27 April 2014, during the annual Kilfenora Traditional Music festival, the largest Irish Folk Music Band to date was gathered together, comprising 267 musicians, and led by The Kilfenora Céilí Band. The ensemble played a rousing version of three well-known ‘Kilfenora Jigs’. The certificate recording this achievement was received from the Guinness Book organisation in late 2015.

At the reception there were brief speeches from Annie McMahon (Chair of the Burren Centre), Micheal O’Riabhaigh (Chair of the Clare Comhaltas Fleadh 2016 Committee), John Lynch (Kilfenora Céilí Band leader) and Frances Connole (Burren Centre Manager, who also project managed the Guinness bid). These variously thanked those who contributed to the achievement of the award, celebrated the vigorous health of traditional music in North Clare, and looked forward to the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and the challenges for Ennis and all Clare in entertaining over 400,000 visitors.

John Lynch presented the Guinness certificate to Frances Connole – it will now be hung in The Kilfenora Céilí Band Parlour, an exhibition space in the Burren Centre opened by Irish President Michael D Higgins in March 2015. A copy of the certificate was also given to Gerard Linnane, Chairman of The Kilfenora Senior Citizens group.

The attendees were then entertained over refreshments by some famous Kilfenora tunes played by a group of North Clare’s most distinguished musicians – Chris Droney, Michael Kelleher, Michael Butler, JJ Conway, James Devitt and John Lynch, who had all played in the Kilfenora band – together with Katy Theasby (whose father Paul played with the band), Andy Lambert (KCB Parlour designer) and Emma Kelly (whose great-grandfather Jim Mulqueeny was a band member from the 1920s-50s).

A video taken on that day in 2014 by band photographer Key Hideki Nakao can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf3AYzXE-C0 This video may also be seen, along with many other exhibits and videos, in The Kilfenora Céilí Band Parlour. The photos below are courtesy of Elwood Lynch and Andy Lambert.

President Higgins opens Kilfenora Céilí Band Parlour

On Friday 20 March 2015, President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins visited Kilfenora to open formally the Kilfenora Céilí Band Parlour – a permanent multi-media exhibition located in The Burren Centre that tells the story of North Clare music and its internationally famous traditional music band (106 years old and counting!)

This was the last fixture of a long day of visiting County Clare locations, starting with his old school St. Flannan’s. Nonetheless the Uachtarán na hÉireann and his wife gave generously of their time, meeting and chatting with Kilfenora locals and posing for innumerable photographs.

As the Presidential couple entered the Burren Centre they were greeted by a mighty blast of tunes from Kilfenora Céilí Band musicians past and present – including Ita Foley (née Mulqueeney) and Frank O’Mahony from the 1950s band, TG4 Lifetime Achievement (Gradam Ceoil) winner Chris Droney, and Michael Kelleher, Peter Griffin, Michael Butler and PJ Murrihy who played with the band over many decades.

Bandleader John Lynch gave the President and Mrs. Higgins a copy of the band’s new CD “Now is the Hour”, and then guided them around the exhibition, where they also met members of the Burren Centre committee.

After an introductory speech by Johnny Keane, the President then addressed an audience of Kilfenora locals in Irish and English – paying tribute to Brian Mooney who was instrumental in creating the Burren Center in 1975 and ending with rousing praise for the exhibition and for the contribution of the Kilfenora Céilí Band to Irish culture.

Following brief contributions from Burren Centre manager Frances Connole and MC John Morgan, Marion Kelly presented the Uachtarán na hÉireann with a sculpture created by exhibition contributor Bill Rothwell that reflected Kilfenora, its music and the Burren – and John Lynch presented Mrs Higgins with a bouquet of flowers.

After that the President and his wife mingled with the crowd over some food and drink, before finally departing for Dublin.

Thanks are owed to all the Kilfenora residents who worked so hard to facilitate arrangements for the presidential visit, starting with the Burren Centre staff and committee, and also exhibition designer Andy Lambert and photography contributors Liam Hogan and Key Hideki-Nakao who provided further photography and video services on the day. A selection of photographs may be viewed here.

Largest Irish Trad Band Record Attempt – 2014

On Sunday 27 April 2014 a huge crowd of musicians and onlookers assembled in Kilfenora Square in a successful attempt to create the largest Irish traditional céilí band ever.

270 players of all ages – and a multitude of instruments and nationalities – played the celebrated ‘Kilfenora Jig set’. Guinness asked for 250 musicians to create the entry.

They were led by the world-famous Kilfenora Céilí Band (in its 105th year). Banjo player and RTE broadcaster Kieran Hanrahan joined the band and made the announcements. Many well-known musicians participated in the attempt, among them this year’s TG4 Gradam Ceoil Lifetime Achievement award winner, Chris Droney.

Donations were collected for Irish Cancer Society and the Kilfenora Senior Citizens support fund.

A great party atmosphere was created, amidst the serious business of ensuring that all the administrative necessities for the Guinness records book were complied with, with the help of lots of local volunteers.

Choose a new village entrance sign for Kilfenora

A new identification signing system for the Burren villages is proposed by Clare County Council. Kilfenora residents are being invited to choose one of 3 options, and express their views.

Why new signs?

As part of efforts to retain the prized ‘Geopark’ status for the Burren, the Council is responding to UNESCO’s request for improvements to be made to signage.

It is proposed that the same style of signage would be placed on the entry roads to all the Burren villages – Kilfenora, Ballyvaughan, Boston, Carron, Corofin, Doolin, Fanore, Lisdoonvarna, New Quay, Ruan and Tubber

At present we have this sign on three of our entrance roads (from Ennis, Noughaval and Ennistymon).

Existing ‘Welcome’ sign

The re-designed nameboards

The Council is asking us to choose one of 3 alternative re-designs. The new designs would only allow one description of the village on it, eg ‘Home of céilí music’ OR ‘City of the Crosses’ in the case of Kilfenora. The indication of what services are available in the village would use symbols. The new nameboards are 2.3×1.0 m and made of metal.

Options 1,2,3
One of the issues is visibility of the information. Depending on where the signs are placed, if drivers pass them at speed they are unlikely to take in much information.

The choices

1 Which of the three alternatives would you choose?

2 What description would you suggest we choose for Kilfenora?

(a) “City of the Crosses”

(b) “Home of céilí music”

Note: ‘Gateway to the Burren’ (or similar) will not be allowed as several villages could claim this.

3 This sign is intended to replace the existing sign.

(a) Do we want to keep the existing signs and ask for the new signs to be placed nearer the village?

(b) Or are you happy that the new signs will replace the old?

Finally if you have any other views on the design, please let Kilfenora Development know.

PLEASE REPLY TO KILFENORA DEVELOPMENT by email at [email protected] or submit a written reply addressed to Kilfenora Development to O’Gormans shop in Kilfenora by Friday 11 June. You can download and use the reply form indicated below if you wish.

Kilfenora-nameboard-reply-formDownload

Kilfenora Square parking – your views invited

As part of regular discussions between Kilfenora Development and Clare County Council, the Council suggested marking out parking bays in Kilfenora Square. The Council Engineers have made some initial suggestions that pose a few practical issues – see their draft plan below – and so Kilfenora Development is asking for community views about what would be sensible.

Elements to be considered include

creating marked car parking bays along on the north side of the Square (Lisdoonvarna side) – would these help parking, make the Square look ‘organised’?
creating marked out spaces for the habitual parking areas of Bus Eireann on each side of the Square AND, longer term, considering the possible installation of bus stop signs and bus shelters
creating marked spaces for up to 2 buses or delivery trucks (middle square area, away from parking adjacent to pavements)
when buses stop for the Burren Centre, they typically park by the weighstation; is that OK, and should there be marked bus bays?
what other considerations should be allowed for?
If you have views on these choices, or feel that the current ‘free-for-all’ unregulated parking should continue, please send an email expressing your views to [email protected] or drop a note into O’Gormans shop marked for the attention of Kilfenora Development. The closing date for submission of views is Friday 4 June.

You can print off a blank map to draw your suggestions on if you wish. Use the link below to download a document and return it via O’Gormans or online to [email protected]

Consultation-Square-Parking-PlanDownload

Kilfenora Development – a lot’s happening!

In December 2020 the creation of a community group ‘Kilfenora Development’ was announced, identifying a number of volunteers who had formed a steering group, representing various aspects of the Kilfenora community.

Since then, due to Covid pandemic restrictions and very slender resources, it has been difficult to undertake any wide involvement and communication, although there have been some targeted consultations in the village on particular topics.

However, on behalf of the village, members of the Steering Group have engaged with Clare County Council (CCC) on topics known to be of concern to the community, and also where possible making grant applications. Here’s just some of what’s been happening.

Tidy Towns team – this has been re-started and began work with a very successful clean-up on roads surrounding the village, addressing the excessive littering by antisocial motorists and rubbish dumper. A second clean-up took place this Saturday inside the village, eg weeding in the Square and restoring the cathedral entrance flower bed. More activities are being considered, eg to enhance the Holy Well area, and you will hear more from the team shortly.
The re-planted flower bed – Kilfenora Square – ways to improve the appearance and amenities in the Square have been much discussed. For example in January a Council grant was sought to upgrade flower beds and install flower planters. (Unfortunately an answer is only going to be given in mid-June). An attempt is being made to get the bicycle racks moved to a better location and a request has been made for an E-car charging point. A community consultation on car parking issues will shortly be announced.
Hall upgrading – the Hall Committee is shortly starting Phase 1 of an improvement process, including painting and insulation work. A grant for Phase 2 is being sought, to include improvements to the backstage stairs and creating a better meeting room space upstairs for community use.
Kilfenora Cathedral – in collaboration with the Church of Ireland and CCC, a grant application has been submitted for a professional study to define necessary repairs and also to identify uses and thence sources of revenue, so that the Cathedral can be both maintained and used by the community long-term. The newish rector in Ennis (Rev Kevin O’Brien) is keen to see Clare’s CoI churches used more, including for concerts and working with music teachers. (Note – repair work by the Council to the graveyard wall is also being sought.)
Village signage – various improvements are under discussion. A consultation on a new style of Burren village signs will shortly be launched.
Road improvements – repairs to the Lisdoonvarna road (approx 400 metres) and Noughaval road (2km) are due to take place, probably in July. Kilfenora Development has lobbyied to make the 3 L-road village entrances (from Doolin, Lickeen and Noughaval) safer for walkers and cyclists, particularly by moving 80kph speed limit signs to beyond housing. While that has been denied, CCC has ordered more warning signs to denote local walkers, and these are due to be installed soon.
Cliffs of Moher 2040 and Council’s tourism strategy – the Kilfenora Development steering group is considering major proposals for investment that, if we do not make representations and articulate what we want, will yield little benefit for Kilfenora. It is intended to conduct a consultation in the community on the Cliffs strategy in particular in coming weeks, as the outcome of that project will have an effect that will last for years. At the same time Cllr Joe Garrihy has formed a North Clare strategy group local community interests including KIlfenora Development to collaborate on these kind of issues.
Burren Discovery Trail – by chance it was discovered that Failte Ireland is planning to install large ‘Caher doorway’ sculptures and display panels at 12 locations in Clare and Galway counties. An initial consultation in 2019 just about creating a ‘trail’ had a mixed reception, and there had been no discussion or information since. The intention is good – to try to attract visitors away from the Wild Atlantic Way to villages and attractions inland. However a rapid consultation with 20 Kilfenora community members involved in tourism identified major flaws with what was proposed, and some of these were corrected by Failte Ireland. There is no communication as yet when the installations will be made, but the Kilfenora one is due to be placed adjacent to the Burren Centre
The planned ‘Caher doorway’ – Cycleways and walkways – some initial work has been undertaken to map out a range of walking and cycling routes around Kilfenora, building on some preliminary work undertaken with the Burren Geopark some years ago. This is intended to aid wellbeing in the community, as well as providing some additional reason for visitors to stay and sped in the area.
Improving Kilfenora’s website – a small grant has been obtained from Clare County Council to improve this website. This will contribute to the future promotion of Kilfenora and increasing the village’s ‘digital presence’ – hopefully thereby helping to bring income into the community. (The website and Kilfenora Online facebook page are maintained by voluntary efforts.)

Despite Covid conditions, plenty of efforts are being made to enhance what Kilfenora has to offer. To mention two other points, the Council’s installation of a Digital Hub and a wi-fi service in the Square is very welcome, as is the grant for modernisation of the Burren Centre (a tender for contactors will shortly be issued).

Kilfenora Development is constantly scanning and checking opportunities for grants and support for village enhancement. It is often not easy to meet the particular requirements of the various schemes announced by central and local government and other funding bodies, eg Failte Ireland.

However, thanks is due to certain Clare County Council officials who are now engaging regularly with Kilfenora’s community group – this has never happened before. In addition there has been active support and interest shown in Kilfenora’s development by Councillors Joe Garrihy and Joe Killeen in particular.

If you want to get in touch, please email [email protected] or talk to any of the Steering Group members.

Kilfenora celebrates Guinness award for largest Irish folk band

Why new signs?

Existing ‘Welcome’ sign

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