The meteoric rise of Clare women’s rugby, the first ever Irish mayor of a historic English town, international Taekwon-Do success, pioneering charity work, a memorable Clare golfing win and a renowned Irish traditional musician were all celebrated at a Mayoral Reception held in Ennis on Friday evening.
Clare County Council hosted the ceremony at Áras Contae an Chláir, where Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy, said the awards recognised people whose achievements had brought distinction to their communities and to the county.
“Each of tonight’s award recipients reflect a different facet of what makes Clare special. We see sporting excellence, cultural leadership, civic achievement and selfless community service,” he said.
Musician and broadcaster, Kieran Hanrahan, was recognised at the awards for his contribution to Irish traditional music. A founding member of Stockton’s Wing and a long-serving RTÉ Radio 1 presenter, he now serves as Artistic Director of TradFest, Director of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland and Director of Scoil Éigse. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Folk Alliance International in New Orleans last month.
Among those honoured was Dani Hunter, a native of Shannon, who was recently elected as the 480th Mayor of Stratford upon Avon Town Council. She is the first Irish person and the youngest individual to hold the position in the medieval English market town, which is famous for being William Shakespeare’s birthplace and one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Cathaoirleach said Clare County Council was proud to acknowledge a Clare woman who had made her mark in public life abroad while remaining connected to her home county.
The Ennis/Kilrush Women’s Rugby Team was recognised for a rapid rise through the Munster leagues. Formed in 2021, the team won the Munster Division 2 double in 2023, followed by Division 1 titles in 2024 and 2025, and has now secured promotion to the All-Ireland League.
Councillor Murphy said, “Ennis and Kilrush have a long association with rugby, and it is heartening to see the combined strength of both towns coming together to achieve success on the field of play. In doing so, you have not only raised the standard of women’s rugby in Clare but have inspired a new generation of young athletes throughout the county.”
Nineteen Clare athletes were honoured for their role in a series of Team Ireland victories at the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in 2025. The Council also acknowledged the work of Clare-based coaches Stephen Ryan of Quin Taekwon-Do, Jamie Rigney of Shannon Taekwon-Do and Jamie Williams of Inagh Taekwon-Do, as well as the “founding father of Taekwon-Do in Clare”, Sang Mann.
Councillor Murphy said, “Taekwon-Do is a growing sport across Ireland, and it is fantastic to see Clare athletes competing successfully at the highest international level. Your discipline, dedication and commitment have delivered results of which we can all be proud.”
Golfer Jonathan Keane received an award for becoming the first Clare-based winner of the South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Lahinch Golf Club since 1968. His win, sealed on the 18th hole, prompted celebrations in Kilfenora. He was later selected for the Irish men’s team for the Home Internationals.
Colin Bell was honoured for his work with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which supports families in bringing loved ones home following a death overseas. The charity, founded in 2013 after the death of his son Kevin in New York, has assisted in more than 2,500 repatriations. The Cathaoirleach said the Trust had provided comfort to many Clare families and encouraged continued support for its work.
Closing the event, the Cathaoirleach said, “To all our recipients this evening, your achievements and your service enhance the reputation of County Clare. You reflect the values of hard work, generosity, talent and resilience that define our people.”
