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Kilnamona

Introduction by Geraldine Greene, a Kilnamona community organiser

As secretary of Kilnamona Community Development Association with an ethos to improve the quality of life for all residents, the Neighbourhood Community Time Machine Project immediately sparked my interest in having our community being involved. Thankfully, Eileen was also interested and we worked together to bring it to fruition though exams, training and playing in Munster and All-Ireland semi-finals schools GAA matches, Covid and various other commitments intervened. We selected 10 pairs in our area and were delighted with the participation of all. The entire project includes a mixture of written responses, digital recordings, photographs and art work. Overall, it is a great record for our community of life in 2022.

l love the ethos of the project as it links with my interests in the heritage, culture, natural and visual arts spheres, many of which I fortunately inherited and learned from my parents, grandparents, teachers and wider community and which I wish to pass on to current and future generations. Being a co-ordinator was a pleasurable role and having my mother, niece, nephew, cousins and many neighbours participate is a treasure. It is worthwhile to give something back to our community as well as having the Time Capsule available to us to celebrate in 2032!

I am an active committee member and cuairteoir with Cuimhneamh an Chláir – Clare Oral History and Folklore Group and have undertaken 50 interviews/recordings with our older citizens over the past 11 years both locally and around Co. Clare. I organised a well-attended event in Kilnamona to share these oral recordings with audio-visual, art works, oral history projects by Kilnamona School pupils and am currently preparing a similar one for the Inagh-Cloonanaha part of our parish. I have been fortunate to receive Heritage Keepers training with Burrenbeo and will be facilitating similar courses with my community in 2022.

Introduction by Eileen Breen, a Kilnamona community organiser

I live in Kilnamona, a rural area close to Ennis but I grew up in New York city. My mother grew up in Kilnamona, emigrated to America and I met and married my husband from Kilnamona on my many holidays to her family ’ s home and farm. I am a member of Kilnamona Community Development Association. I enjoy being with all ages particularly our younger and older members of our community. I have a degree in archaeology and published a study on local monuments. When Geraldine mentioned the Neighbourhood Community Time Machine Project, I was happy to be a co-ordinator. I was delighted that my granddaughter and many neighbours participated in it.

Participants

PJ Mescall

“I hope all the youth will have jobs and stay in the area and have good health.”

Patrick O’Laughlin

“On the hurling field, I remember winning the County Championship in 1957 after 49 years and being carried shoulder-high off the field after playing.”

Mary Greene

“The best memory I have is that I used to visit the Barry family, who lived next door to me, and we used to do a bit of dancing there.”

Mary Rynne

“Community means my neighbours, friends and family — meeting them and sharing news.”

John Dermody

“Live your life in a full and happy way, and don’t look back with any regrets.”

Eileen Naughton

“Stay positive! Always have time for a chat with people.”

Drewey Keane

“My fondest memory is when my family and I moved into our new house in 1952 and how proud they were of their new house. I still live in that house!”

Bridie Hegarty

“I have loads of happy memories throughout my 62 years of living in Kilnamona, such as gambles at Micky Pegger’s house, dances at Miley Kean’s house and Christmas nights at Quinn’s”

Bridie O’Keefe

“Community to me is not just the present, but also the past. I believe if you have a sense of Community you are not alone – you have a sense of belonging and you know if there is a problem, we will always look out for each other.”

Anne Monahan

“The first sunday attending Kilnamona mass after getting married, the people welcomed me with the phrase: “Welcome to the parish, mam.”