This article is from page 15 of the 2014-12-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
TRIBUTES were paid last evening (Monday) to popular Tulla publican John Minogue.
The man described as ‘knowledgeable”, “wise” and “well liked” by those that knew him best, passed away in Cahercalla Hospital, Ennis yesterday morning, just a week shy of his 86th birthday.
The face of Minogue’s Pub for six decades, John also served as an Independent member of Clare County Council for 31 years.
He loved his hurling as much, if not more than his politics, and as Fr Harry Bohan recalled, “I’d say Clare hardly played a game he wasn’t at.”
Famed in many local stories John is also reputed to have taught Christy Moore the song ‘Spancilhill’ by Robbie McMahon that later passed into the national repertoire.
Christy Moore, at the time a clerk in the local bank, played some of his f rst gigs in the back room of Minogue’s pub in Tulla.
Minogue’s or “The Hotel” as it was referred to by many since the days of the fairs, was central to a lot of community events and John was central to the public house.
“He was a very popular man. There was somethings he never missed.
“He was a huge hurling fan and never missed a match. He was at every funeral too. He was linked with a lot of people,” said Fr Bohan.
“He was at everything and knew everything locally. He was a wise man and well liked.”
His popularity and hard work saw him elected to Clare County Council in f ve successive elections, starting in 1960.
He topped the poll for the Killaloe Electoral Area in his last two elections – in 1979 and 1985. He left local public off ce in 1991 but continued to help and assist the local people and community.
Labour TD Michael McNamara last night said the passing of John Minogue would be widely mourned.
“He was one of the most popular members elected to Clare County Council in modern times,” he said.
Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF) described the late publican as a “fantastic Community leader.”
“I found him to be a wise political council from the time I was elected,” he said adding he got to know him well while living in the village of Tulla. John Minogue is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughter Sandra, relatives and many many friends.