Moroney's Bar

What better day than Good Friday to give a pub a facelift with a day's painting and so it was that Noel (Squaw) McCarthy and Colm McNevin got the brushes out and got to work. At 8 o'clock this morning when most people were asleep, the boys got to work taking down all the pictures and preparing to paint. When most are trying to get into a pub on one of two closed pub days in the year the lads had the pub to themselves.

They finished at 7pm and the pub looks really pristine. Added to this a new 37 inch TV was installed on the wall over the fireplace in the lower bar and this should go down really well with all the footie and hurling fans. Also six new speakers were put up in the pub along with one in the smoking area so surround sound is the… Read more

Yesterday in Croke Park the Welsh rugby team defeated Ireland 16-12 to win the Triple Crown and set up a tilt at the Grand Slam next week in Cadiff against France. The win also set off wild celebrations in Moroneys where a group of Welsh supporters had gathered to watch the game after their coach driver Mickey Meere had dropped them off for the game. It was the groups third visit to Ennis for a rugby weekend but their first visit to Moroneys and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

They were full of praise for the staff on duty (Irene and Zara ) and were very appreciative of the food and hospitality they received and also for the butterballs compliments of the house to celebrate their great victory. They were also presented with three Moroney polo tops on their departure which they were thrilled to receive. On their departure they sang a… Read more

Well as they say everything comes to those who wait and this is certainly true in Spurs case when they defeated London rivals Chelsea in todays Carling Cup Final at Wembley. Having only defeated their great rivals on three occassions in the last 42 attempts one can understand how Spurs fans Brian John McCarthy , Mickey Clohessy, John Casey and Anthony Daly felt when the final whistle was blown.

The Chelsea Supporters Club meet in Moroneys so the banter was great this evening especially when Chelsea took the lead only for Spurs to level from the penalty spot. Then in extra time the unthinkable happened and ex Leeds United star Jonathan Woodgate headed the winner much to the delight of proprietor BJ. Expect the drinks to be on the house this evening.Come on ye Spurs will be the cry!

What started off nearly twenty years ago as a group of friends getting together to play inter pub soccer for Cheers Bar ( formerly Darcys Bar and run by Cyril Cusack and Kieran Gleeson ) will be celebrated in Barcelona in April (18th -21st) when a group of 14 will fly over and watch the mighty Barca play in the famous Camp Nou against local rivals Espanyol. Over the years players have come and gone and regettably one of our stalwarts Seamie O Sullivan is gone to his eternal rest but he is always with us in spirit when we play our indoor football during the winter and spring months. Always our No 3 , that's Seamie.

Over the years the group played inter pub soccer for Cheers, Woodys, Brannagans and Knox's where after years of near misses the coveted inter pub trophy was finally won beating Murty McMahon's from… Read more

On Wednesday week last the Moroneys Bar On Tour flag was flying high in the Cusack Stand in Croke Park for the international soccer friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Brazil. Up there for the occassion were Irene Hehir ( top player with the famed Lifford ladies soccer team ) and James Fenton who incidentally was still celebrating his 40th birthday. This was because the match tickets for the game were a present from Irene which one must say was a very kind gesture from a avid Man U fan to a Liverpool supporter.

Despite the 1-0 defeat thanks to a Robino effort a great time was had by all and preperations are well in hand for a repeat visit in September for the World Cup qualifying ties when once again the Moroneys flag will be flying. Any chance we'll see it in Thurles on 1st June for the… Read more

On Friday night last the one and only James Fenton celebrated his 40th birthday with a party in his local Moroneys. James along with all his family and friends including some of his fellow Liverpool supporters had a mighty night that went on until late! A great sing song was the order of the day and even the bould James sang a song and no it was'nt You'll Never Walk Alone. And of course James was back in on Saturday evening to cheer on The Pool when they took on Roy Keane's Sunderland and their 3-0 win here completed a great weekend for our good friend.

Wishing you James many more years of health and happiness from all your friends in Moroneys.But please don't keep tell us the Pool are going to win the league not any time soon anyway.

Well Spurs fanatic Brian John has waited a long time to shout about his beloved team. It has taken Tottenham Hotspur 22 games to defeat their deadly rivals Arsenal but they did it in style last night winning 5-1 and qualifying for the Carling Cup Final on 24th February. BJ was watching it live in the pub and could'nt believe what he was seeing as Spurs ran riot.

Now the search is on for a ticket for the Wembley final but failing that Moroneys will be rocking for the final be it against Everton or Chelsea. As the Chelsea Supporters Club meet in Moroneys on a regular basis it should be a very interesting day on the 24th. One thing for sure BJ will not be behind the bar but sitting with the fans be it in Wembley or in a non segregated Moroneys.

On Tuesday night 5th February there will be a Sports Quiz in Moroneys with all proceeds going to Cahercalla Hospice. The quiz is the brain child of Martin McGuane who works in Roche and there will be spot prizes and plenty of food on offer during the evening. It is for teams of 3 with an entry fee of just €30 for this worthy cause. Everyone knows some relation, neighbour or friend who has benifited from the care and compassion that the nurses and doctors give in Cahercalla so come along and enjoy the crack. A great night is assured and now we'll see if you really are the next Jimmy McGee !

Well Brian John and his staff certainly ushered in the New Year at Moroneys in style with Marcus Moloney and nine of his friends playing out the old and welcoming in the New Year with some great music. The bar was decked out for the occassion and at 12 o clock the champagne bottles were uncorked and a great hooley began. Credit also must go to Tracy who fed a packed pub and was also responsible for all the bunting, streamers etc that added to the night.

Here's hoping that 2008 will be another great year for Moroneys and that all our loyal customers will continue to enjoy their favourite local.

Well it's true Pat Hennessy has got engaged to the gorgeous Karrieann McDonald. To say this is one of the fittest couples in Ireland would not be a exaggeration. Karrieann is a well know fitness instructor and can often be seen pounding the roads of Ennis and beyond. Many's a male driver that has been distracted by this lovely sight.

As for Pat, one knows that he's in residency at the West County gym such is his dedictation to the pursuit of supreme fitness. One look at Pat will tell you he'a a serious guy where training is concerned and his other love Man Utd is a poor second to his training. One expects that it will only be a matter of time before Karrieann has Pat jogging the roads of Ennis also.

Well the happy couple have not yet set a date for the big day but all their friends and… Read more

Well it's hard to credit that twelve months have passed since last Christmas but as they say time does not stand still and we're all a year older now. Despite a terrible summer made up somewhat by a mild and dry October plus November here we are again waiting for Santa to arrive.

Already here in Moroneys Brian John and his loyal staff have the bar decked out for the festive season and the front window looks really well with Santa having a fiddle, rugby ball, hurley and football to signify the sporting and musical nature of Moroneys. As always if you want to celebrate your Christmas party in the bar you can contact Brian John or Mary Daffy and they will cater for all your needs.

At the close of another year Brian John ,Tracy, Mary, Colm, Cathal, Irene and all the staff at Moroneys wish all their loyal customers a… Read more

On Sunday 11th November as part of the Ennis Trad Festival there was a mighty Trad Session in Moroneys and there to take pictures of the event was our very own Brian John. Among the artists playing were Marcus Moloney, John Joe Kelly, Murty Ryan, Shane Mulvey, Niamh O Dea, Marie O Beirne, Mags Hehir, Liam Joyce, Noelie Ryan, Derek Hickey, Tony O Connell, Siobhan Peoples, Grace Kelly, Carmel O Dea, Michel Siko (alias Paris), Silvan ( Brittany on flute) and Flo (France -Harpist).

All at Moroneys would like to thank all the musicians most sincerely for the efforts over the year at the weekly trad sessions on Wednesday and Thursday nights and also for making this years Ennis Trad Festival one to remember.
See in gallery re Trad Session 07 for pictures of the session.

On Friday night last Dieter Langer (Louis Lovett) of RTE Killinascully fame visited Moroneys for a few pints of Guinness. While it was a long way from Dinny's Bar in the TV comedy programme he did feel at home when he saw the pictures of greyhounds on the wall. He really enjoyed his stay and came back again on Saturday night for a few more pints after the show in Glor ( Improbable Frequency ) where he starred alongside Carrie Crowley ( ex RTE News reader).

On hand to take some pictures with her camera phone was Mary Daffey and these can bee seen in the picture gallery under Dieter.

Tonight we give a hearty welcome to Nicola Dormer, her husband Jason and all their family and friends to Moroneys to celebrate her birthday. Now as everyone knows one should'nt ask a lady her age and in this case we'll just say she does'nt look a day over 25! Nicola is a qualified fitness instructor as is hubby Jason so as one can see this is a very fit couple.

All at Moroneys wish Nicola congratulations on her big day and hopefully we'll get a song from her before the night is over. If not I'm sure we can rely on Tom Dormer and Kieran Ryan to sing a song or possibly two!

At the Annual Ennis Tidy Towns Awards Moroneys Bar has won a third consecutive award for it's window box floral display. The awards are being presented at the De Valera Library on Friday night and it's great for Brian John ,Tracy and all the staff who help to keep the premises in such pristine condition that this honour was secured.

The awards will be presented by the Mayor of Ennis Tommy Brennan and will be accepted by Marian Moroney on behalf of everyone connected with Moroneys.Well done to all concerned.

It's that time of the year again when the trad festival hits town starting on Thursday 8th until Monday 12th November. As usual Moroneys will play their part with sessions on each night with the likes of Marcus Moloney, Michael Butler and company ringing out the tunes. On of the highlights of the festival will be the awarding of a Gradam Award to the great Sonny Murry from St Michaels Villas at Cois na hAbhna on Saturday night.

Sonny who is originally from Kilmihil is one of the greatest exponents of the concertina and is also well know for his love of the greyhounds and indeed is a life long member of the Ennis and Clarecastle Coursing Club. All at Moroneys wish the festival well and congratulate Sonny on his award.

Local artist Harry Guinnane recently completed a painting of Moroneys and this was a labour of love for him as his late father Sean who was a founding member of The Faughs and County Board Secretary was a great friend of Gerry's. Indeed many is the match that was played in the bar when these two got together. Harry spent over two months painting the picture and I think you'll agree that he did a tremendous job. Note the greyhound in the picture something that Harry always associated with Gerry, seeing him walk the dogs up the Market and felt it should included in the picture.

The family in the picture were just passing at one point when Harry was sketching and he put them in to add life to the painting. See picture gallery under Harry Guinnane.

Going on over 50 years Jimmy Fenton Snr from Ard Na Greine in Ennis has been a customers of Moroneys. Always dressed in a beautiful suit Jimmy would make his way up to the Market and have a few pints in Gerry's while also attending bingo in the Community Centre in Chapel Lane.

Jimmy is a dab hand at pitch and putt being a long standing member of the Clare Road Club while also being a shark on the Ennis Golf course. While not venturing out much at nigh now Jimmy occasionally joins his son James jnr in Moroneys for a pint of Guinness and looks over the many pictures on display of old Ennis.

On Friday 2nd November Johnny Moroney presented Jimmy with a new Moroneys polo top which no doubt will get plenty of wear around the Ennis links.See picture gallery.

Finally a piece of silverware for the Eire Og hurlers when on Sunday last they beat Ogonnelloe on a scoreline of 0-20 to 0-15 at Cusack Park. On the day they had big performances from Danny Russell, Mark Fitzgerald, Kevin Moynihan, Barry Nugent and captain Fergus Flynn.

After receiving the cup the Eire Og team lined up to form a guard of honour for the Eire Og team of 1982 who were being presented with trophies on the 25th anniversary of their victory over Sixmilebridge. This is a relatively young Eire Og team and hopefully they can build on their success for next year and follow in the footsteps of Tulla who claimed victory in the Senior A final after a 74 year wait on Sunday last also.

The famine has finally ended for the footballers of Lissycasey when they defeated Eire Og in last Sundays County Football Final. Having been beaten in two county finals in recent years there was no stopping them on Sunday and it was apt the Martin Daly was named Man of The Match as he is one of the finest footballers Clare has ever produced. Celebrations have been going on all week in the Lissycasey parish and all us Townies which them well in their quest foe Munster Club honours.