This Saturday, June 16th, the annual Rocky Ramble & Coffee morning in conjunction with the Clare branch of the Ahlzheimer Society takes places at Éire Óg GAA Clubhouse from 11 a.m.
There are 5k, 10K & buggy routes, with maps available on the day. Why not take a stroll through this historic area of Ennis, you may even spot some goats!! For the less energetic, why not come along and relax with a nice cup of coffee and something nice to eat? A great chance to see our newly refurbished clubhouse! There will be facepainting & fun for the kids!
If you can't make it on the day and would still like to contribute to this worthy cause, just click here to make an online donation.
Here is a little bit of info on this historic area of our town (Credit to Eddie Lough)
“THE ROCKY”
The Rocky was once part of the main road between Ennis and Ballyea, but, was better known as a Pilgrims Way to St. Johns Well. This ancient place of worship, adjacent to the ruins of Killone Abbey, sits on the bank of Newhall or Killone Lake. The principal pilgrimage or pattern day was 24th June. The well seems to have been linked to eye cures, originally attributed to giving sight to a blind man.
Killone Abbey, an Augustinian Nunnery, was founded by Donal Mór O’Brien circa 1190 and was dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Slaney, daughter of Donoch Carbreach O’Brien, was abbess of the nunnery until her death in 1260. So it can be stated with certainty that “THE ROCKY” has been walked by many historical figures and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims over the centuries.
In the not too distant past, in an era when a motor car was not parked outside every home, “THE ROCKY” or “THE HAWN “ was a very important recreation area for the townsfolk of Ennis. (The Hawn was most likely derived from the Irish, Shruthan or stream) Crowds of walkers, particularly those living in the southern part of the town, could be seen setting out for this beautiful location on sunny weekends. Many older inhabitants must have nostalgic memories of times spent there. The author of this short piece lived in The Turnpike in the1940s and 50s and took his first few steps by the Hawn. It was a magnet for youngsters, cooling off in the hot summer days, catching thonybacks (little fish) in jam jars.
In 2000, a serious attempt to extinguish the right of way on The Rocky to make way for the bypass resulted in 1,800 objections. The fight to “SAVE THE ROCKY” had limited success, as the roundabout, planned for the centre of the Rocky Road was moved to the south and a traffic light system introduced to protect future walkers.
In 1989 the Ennis U.D.C. promised to develop the area, monies were set aside for this, plans made, but, nothing was done! THE TOWNSPEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING.
This little part of Ennis, which boasts Burren-like characteristics, needs to be preserved. Our children and future generations of Ennis need more than electronic devices & WiFi to educate them.
ENNIS NEEDS THE ROCKY.
Enjoy your walk
