Moroney's Bar

As we say goodbye to another year we at Moroney's Bar, Market Street, Ennis would like to take this opportunity to THANK ALL our loyal customers and friends both at home and abroad for your continued patronage which we truly appreciate. As we always say it is you who make the bar and for that we are eternally grateful.

Happy New Year and Sincere Best Wishes from Maurice, Tomas, Ronnie, Hanna and Dan. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2024.

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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.

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.

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.

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.

All at Moroney's Bar, The Mall, Ennis would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers and friends both at home and abroad for their continued custom. It is you who has put Moroney's on the map and made it the popular pub that it is today for which we are eternally grateful. Happy New Year and Sincere Best Wishes from Maurice, Tomas, Ronnie, Hanna and Dan. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2023.

Last Friday evening saw one of the towns best known characters Tony McInerney retire from the Ennis Town Council Environment Department after 41 years service . Many people of all ages would know Tony from his thirty plus years serving as a Clare Soccer League Referee a role in which he was highly respected by both players, management and spectators alike. All his friends at Moroney's wish him long health and happiness in his retirement and Tony you can now forget about those 5am weekend starts !

History was made in Clare Soccer League circles this week with the election of Deirdre Shannon as Chairperson of the Clare Schoolboys / Schoolgirls Soccer League and in so doing becomes the first woman to hold the role. Deirdre is one of the driving forces within Hermitage FC which is one of the oldest clubs in the Clare League having been founded in 1960 and indeed the Shannon family's name has been synonymous with the club since its inception.

Deirdre also finds time to manage the Hermitage Ladies FC Premier Division team which are presently top of the Shannon Hotel Supplies Ladies Premier League and recently Moroney's Bar presented the team with a new set of jerseys. All her friends and customers at Moroney's wish Deirdre sincere best wishes in her new role and would also like to take this opportunity to wish continued success to the Hermitage FC Ladies team.

It's that time of the year again for the Ennis Trad Festival and this year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever. It certainly is a great way of venturing out on theses dark wintry evenings 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. Once again Moroney's will be playing host to many live gigs, kicking off with our weekly Trad gig on Friday evening but at the earlier time of 6.30pm.

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… Read more

It was with a deep sense of sadness on Wednesday last that we heard of the passing of our dear friend Brian Thompson one of the great characters of Ennis. Brian was one of life's true gentlemen who would walk up The Market , give a wave and smile and say " How are things Gerry ? " Now it didn't matter that Gerry wasn't my christian name but for the last 18 years that was what I went by to Brian. He was always impeccably dressed, had a great sense of humour and as a Leeds fan I had to endure many a slagging about his beloved Man United heroes.

We will miss you Brian from the streets of Ennis as you brightened up all our lives. Sincere sympathy to the Thompson family on the death of Brian. Rest In Peace dear friend.

On Wednesday evening last we bided a Cead Mile Failte to the Kearney family who are home on holidays from Kansas City and visiting their relatives in Ennis to Moroney's Bar. There is a great bond of friendship between the Moroney's & Kearney families as both hail from The Market. The original home of the Kearney's is now incorporated in the Post Office next to Willie McCannon's drapery shop and this extended to the corner of Curtain's Lane opposite Kelly's Butchers . Townies of a certain vintage may remember Peggy Kearney having a sweet shop there while later working in Currans Bakery (run by Michael Cremmin's) in Abbey Street and O Connor's Bakery in Parnell Street. Indeed, Peggy was instrumental in founding the Ennis Old Folks Club which had its initial headquarters in the Community Centre in Chapel Lane.

Bob and John Kearney immigrated to the States in the 50's… Read more

On Friday 8th July Moroney's Bar reopened under the new management of Maurice Walsh and his son Thomas. Once Maurice got the keys of the bar on 1st July it was all hands on deck for an upgrade of the premises. First up was the painting of the outside and that job was entrusted to Eddie Hayes who is a regular in Moroney's. The choosing of the colours has always been entrusted to Eddie and once again he came up trumps. As everyone knows Eddie is a real character and he was regaling all the locals and tourists alike with stories while applying the paint and posing for the odd photo. Now there were more than a few half truths there but hats off Eddie on a top class job. The new front is simply amazing. To enhance the ambience of the bars interior new strobe lighting was installed by… Read more

All at Moroney's Bar, The Mall, Ennis would like to wish all our loyal customers, friends and indeed everyone the best St Patrick's day in years. It's been two long years since we got to celebrate our National Day wetting the shamrock and meeting up with old friends. The parade is also back in Ennis after a two year absence and this is always a great spectacle. Along with racing from Cheltenham on TV and the All Ireland Colleges hurling and football finals from Croke Park on TV it promises to be an action packed day. Have a wonderful day one and all.

Our famous Wednesday night trad session is back in full swing tonight following over 17 months of Covid 19 issues. So this evening after the racing from Cheltenham come down to Moroney's and get in the mood for St Patrick's Day with some great music. Listen to the great sounds of Anne Marie McCormack, Marcus Moloney, Kieran Darmody and friends.