Kilnamona
Kilnamona (Irish: Cill na Móna, meaning 'Church of the Bog or Marshy Field') is located in the parish of Inagh-Kilnamona, situated just north-west of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. It consists of 27 townlands in an area of just over 6,000 acres. It is bounded to the west by Inagh, to the east Drumcliffe, to the north Dysart and to the south by Inch and Kilmaley. It is located in the historic barony of Inchiquin. It is located in the Diocese of Killaloe.
History
In the early Christian era, around 600 AD, the parish tribe was known as Cineal Baoith. Their patron saint was Saint Lachtain. He was from the Cork/Limerick area and it is assumed the tribe migrated from there. They built the original church in the marshy field. A holy well called Tobar Lachtin is nearby. Another holy well, Tobar-na-Taise is in the same field.[1] In 1603 the bronze arm of Saint Lachtain had to be removed to Kerry by a Franciscan for safe keeping. It is now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy.There are the remains of two castles in Kilnamona. Shallee Castle and Magowna Castle. The Shallee Casle and lands were in the hands of the O'Brien family but were forfeited to Queen Elizabeth in 1592.[2] When the fury of the Cromwellian persecutions had died down a "Mass House" was built in the townland of Knockahaurin.The chapel was a low long building. It is said that farmers who had no barns of their own were permitted to thresh their corn on its floor. Ennis</ref>.The modern church was constructed in 1842. The mason's charges were £18. In 1932 there was a new roof put on the church as well as a new floor and baptistry. In 1965 the porch was built which was dedicated to Mike McTigue, the world champion boxer. In 2008 a sculpted bronze plaque was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Brother Thomas Keane (An Bráthar Tomás Ó Catháin)[3]In 1824, 141 children were being educated in the two hedge schools (139 Catholics and 2 Protestants)[4] in the parish. The modern National School was built in 1889.
GAA
The First Decades
The Kilnamona GAA club was set up in 1887. It was originally called Kilnamona/Smith O'Briens. Kilnamona were dominant in the first decade of the 20th century, winning the Clare Senior Hurling Championship in 1902,1903 and 1908.[5]
In 1902, Kilnamona defeated Barefield in the County Final. The Barefield club alleged that Kilnamona were the pick of four parishes and challenged Kilnamona to a rematch. Kilnamona captain Mick "Curk" Lyons gave the stirring reply: "Kilnamona won the medals and we mean to wear them!".
In 1903, Kilnamona defeated Thomonds in the final. The team was: M Lyons (Captain), J. Brody, M. Brody, J Cullinan, J, Rynne, D Rynne, M Flanagan, P O'Loughlin, J O'Leary, P O'Leary, F Hegarty, J McTigue, P Hayes, P Commane, M McDonnell, and T. Cullinan.
In 1908, Kilnamona proved too strong for Kilmaley in the semi final, defeating them by 1-14 to 2-3. They defeated O'Callaghan's Mills in the final on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-10. The game being played at the Showgrounds, Ennis. The team was Johnsie Brody, M Brody, Joe Rynne, Den Rynne, J Rynne, P Mescall, P O'Leary, M Hegarty, P Flynn, M Cahir, P "Irishman" Commane, J Cullinan, M Naughton, P Forde, M McDonnell and J Mctigue.
50's to the 70's
Emigration hit the club hard in the intervening years and their next adult success was not until 1957 when they won the Junior B Championship. They defeated St. John's, Kiltannon (Tulla) and Lisheen on their way to the final. On October 13th in Cusack Park, Ennis Kilnamona defeated Tubber by 8-7 to 4-3. Six of the 1908 panel were present to see the victory. They were Paddy Commane, Barry Rynne, Johnsie Brody, Den Rynne, Johnny Rynne and Mick Hegarty. The team was C Brody, M Brody (Captain), Josie Rynne, PJ Mescal, JT Greene, D Mackey, Joe Keane, A Power, P O'Loughlin, M Barry, F Keane, B Keating, F McTigue, Joe Rynne, M Breen.
In 1965, Kilnamona won the Clare Junior Hurling Championship. They overcame Cappa/Kilmurry in the semi final by 5-5 to 4-6. On October 3rd, they faced Newmarket in the final. A late goal by James O'Keefe proved decisive. The team was A Keating, M Hegarty, J Rynne, PJ Mescal, M O'Loughlin, F Keane, J Keane, A Power, P O'Loughlin, M Barry, P Keane, J O'Dea, J O'Keefe, M Rynne, M Keane.
1971 saw Kilnamona win the Clare Junior Hurling Championship.[6] They defeated Ballyea in the first round by 5-7 to 3-4. Kilmaley were defeated in the final which was held in Cusack Park Ennis on 14th September. The team was M Barry, M Hegarty, J Hegarty, B Barrett, M Cullinan, Kevin Keane, M O'Loughlin, Flan Hegarty, Oliver Keane, J Pilkington, Michael Keane, M Kerin, Martin Commane, Milo Keane and P Keane.
Kilnamona regained the Clare Junior Hurling Championship in 1975. Kilnamona defeated Éire Óg, Cratloe and Barefield on thir way to the final. Kilnamona had goals scored by Michael Kerin, Michael Keane and Milo Keane. The squad included Michael O'Loughlin, Kevin Keane, Michael Keane, Michael Hegarty, Paddy O'Looney, Joe Barry, Nicholas Neylon, Joe Pilkington, Martin Commane, John Hehir, Paddy Commane, Milo Keane, Flan Hegarty, Michael Kerin, Brendan Griffey, Dennis Rynne, John Pilkington, Myles Cullinan and PJ Fitzpatrick.
80's to Present Day
1989 saw Kilnamona emerge triumphant over Éire Óg in the final of the Junior A Championship. In 1996 Kilnamona regained the title, defeating Kilmaley in the final.
The club went from strength to strength in this period and Kilnamona defeated near neighbours Inagh in the 1998 Intermediate Championship. Kilnamona then won the Senior B Hurling Final soon after, defeating Clonlara on a score of 1-10 to 0-9. Kilnamona's team was Mikie Barrett, Joe Ryan, Michael Hegarty, Cathal Griffin, Paul Gannon, David Hegarty, Eugene Cummins, Brian Hegarty, Donal Cahir, Dermot Gannon, Fergal Hegarty (Captain), Cathal Lafferty, Stephen Twomey, Seanie Barry, and John Rynne. The scorers were D Gannon (0-6 all frees), S Barry (1-0), F Hegarty, C Lafferty, S Twomey, J Rynne (0-1 each).
Kilnamona amalgamated with Inagh for Juvenile competitions to compete in "A" championships in recent years. They enjoyed spectacular success, winning the Under 16 championship in 2006, the minor title in 2005 and 2008[7] and the under 21 title in 2007 [8] In 2007 the Inagh and Kilnamona clubs fully merged. They reached the quarter final of the Clare Senior Hurling Championship in 2008.[9]
Mike McTigue
Michael Francis McTigue was born in Lickaun, Kilnamona on November 26th 1892.[10] He was recorded in the 1901 Census of County Clare.[11] McTigue emigrated to America in 1912 when he was 21.[12] McTigue began boxing and fought in America for 13 years. McTigue got a shot at the World Light Heavyweight Championship in 1923. Despite the Irish Civil War still ongoing, the fight was held in La Scala Opera House in Prince's Street, Dublin against Battling Siki. McTigue won on points after 20 rounds to become the World Light Heavyweight Champion[13]. McTigue fought multiple bouts in his career against the likes of Paul Berlenbach, Harry Greb, Mickey Walker and Tommy Loughran. He lost most of those bouts, but he actually got the best of the great Loughran during one of their no-decision contests. He also earned close decisions over Tiger Flowers and "Panama" Joe Gans. In 1927, he produced his greatest performance on American soil when he knocked out the great Berlenbach in the fourth round[14]. He was 38 years old when his boxing licence was revoked and had been fighting for 21 years. After his enforced retirement McTigue ran a successful bar on Long Island until the late 1940s. He succumbed to poverty and ill health and was confined to various hospitals around New York for the last ten years of his life. [15] In later years McTigue regaled listeners with tales of the highlight of his career, the Dublin bout. McTigue's favorite story involved an armed sentry stationed in his corner to keep the peace. As the rounds progressed, he stuck his bayonet between the ropes and jabbed McTigue in the leg. "I got three pounds' bet on you," the guard said. "God help you if you lose!"[16] McTigue died in 1966.[17]
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Mike McTigue
Sport/Leisure
Kilnamona also has a camogie club. The "Cill na Móna Pitch and Putt" 18 hole course opened for business in 1995. It is situated just off the N85 about 5 miles from Ennis. [18]
Population
In 1659, there were 480 inhabitants recorded (470 Catholics and 10 Protestants). The population grew rapidly up to the early 1840's, as in the rest of Ireland. In 1841, there were 1758 people recorded as living in Kilnamona. The Great Famine devastated the population and by 1901 the population had shrunk to 718. According to the 2006 Census, [19] there were 738 inhabitants of Kilnamona. This is an increase from the 699 recorded in the 2002 census. There are 2634 hectares in Kilnamona according to the census.