Clare Church of Ireland Parishes

DRUMCLIFFE UNION

Drumcliffe Union covers from Shannon Airport in the South of Clare to Galway Bay in the North and Kilkee and Spanish Point in the West, taking in the Burren plateau with the 12th century St Fachnan’s Cathedral Church at Kilfenora in the centre.

Both parish groupings, Killaloe and Drumcliffe sit amid a network of historical and ecclesiastical sites on what is part of the western Celtic strip, with increasing prospects of becoming key centres for the growing walking activity, including the ‘Camino’ pilgrimage and retreat pursuit, taking in the riches of the county’s past and present -- with its inspirational old monastic and archaeological sites as well as all the dimensions of the Burren with its limestone and basalt geology, its flora and fauna, and unique farming and conservation practices, making it a European Conservation Area, --as well as the Atlantic Coastal scenery. (See details on St Flannan’s Killaloe, sitting on the River Shannon and St Caimin’s, Inniscaltra and St Cronan’s (of Brian Boru fame), Tuamgraney, both near Holy Island, Lough Derg.) St Fachnan’s, Kilfenora with its Celtic High Crosses is a key hub on such a historical sweep.

ENNIS TOWN

Formed from the medieval parish of Drumcliffe, ‘hill of the basket’, Ennis (“Inish-Cluain Raamh-fada , meaning ‘meadow of the long rowing), the present Drumcliffe Church is the centre of the Parish Group. The modest but active congregation of eclectic mix enjoys good relations with its neighbours, St Peter Paul Cathedral and its surrounding ‘Cluster’ parishes and the nearby Franciscan Church Community, as well as more recent Protestant Pentecostal Christians.

WORSHIP Drumcliffe Union with Kilnasoolagh

Regular time at Drumcliffe (Ennis) is Sunday 11.30am, with Service form alternating between Morning Prayer and Holy Communion on a weekly basis. Likewise Kilnasoolagh, Newmarket-on-Fergus, is at 11.30am. In Drumcliffe Family Service (focus on Children) is taken by the Rev Vicki Lynch, Parish Assistant and Diocesan Youth and Parish Development Officer. Rev Lynch also helps lead family and Festive events for Christ Church, Spanish Point, some of which are shared ecumenically with the local community . Regular time here is 9.45am, except for Easter and Christmas when there may be a later time. St Fachnan’s, Kilfenora is an occasional gathering, on an ecumenical basis, usually monthly on the first Sunday of the month at 4.00pm.

The Rector Canon Bob Hanna has of late been sharing a series of reflective evensongs, with a Celtic style, influenced by Iona, Lindisfarne or Taize’, in conjunction with our neighbour based in Shannon, from Clare Methodist Pioneer Ministry, Dr Rosemary Power. These are sometimes linked in with ‘mini-pilgrimage’ walks in or around the Burren. Fr Ned Crosby PP Kilfenora and assorted friends help make these events happen in the 12th century church. St James, Kilkee church operates only in Summer,(July and August) always at 11.30am. Contact 065-6820109 or 086-2167040 for confirmation of Summer arrangements. Shannon Pioneer Ministry (Methodist based) (See Dr Rosemary Power, 061-363717)

Harvest Thanksgiving Kilnasoolagh Church
Canon Bob Hanna.
Bishop Trevor Williams
Bishop Willie Walsh
Fr. Tom Fitzpatrick