A PLAQUE in memory of one of Ennis’ most distinct characters has been restored to its location on O’Connell Street.
Michael Tierney had a plaque in his memory first erected in June 2021 as one of Cllr Mary Howard’s (FG) final acts during her time as Mayor of Clare, a similar plaque was unveiled in memory of Laura Brennan at the same time.
Tierney’s memorial was at the former building of Tom Mannion Travel but this was since renovated and is now the home of Beo – The Well, during the renovations the plaque was removed. The location is where many members of the public spotted Michael distributing newspapers.
At the March meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) asked for an explanation on the removal of the plaque.
Acting senior engineer, Paddy Tiernan advised, “The Commemorative plaque to Michael Tierney was located on the external wall of a private commercial building. During recent renovations to this building the plaque was removed. Ennis Municipal District contacted both the property owner and the contractor and requested the plaque to be re-erected upon completion of the renovations. We are happy to report that both parties facilitated this request and the plaque has now been reinstated to its pre-existing location”.
Tierney was an unmistakable figure in Ennis up until his death in 1998. He was renowned for taking people on mystery tours around Ennis and held great compassion for the elderly community of Clare. With his make-up, flashy jewellery and large collection of wigs, Michael caught the attention of passers-by. His increased femininity became apparent from the 1950’s onwards at a time when homosexuality was forced to steer clear of the watchful eye of the public. Born in 1917, Michael lost his father to the First World War before he was born.
Cllr Murphy said there was “undercurrents in town” with people giving out about the plaque. “Michael Tierney was a loved character in the town, he was known to nearly the whole town,” he said.
Speaking at the Ennis MD sitting, Cllr Howard admitted, “I was a little surprised when I saw this on the agenda”. She said she was constantly met with “resistance” with efforts to have a statue for Michael. She told the meeting she paid for both plaques and ordered them from Michael McTigue, she estimated it was €300 in total. Mary said she received assurances that the memorial was safe while works were ongoing to Beo.
Cllr Howard was critical of the discussion regarding the memorial, “it was great to see it going back up, it became something it should never have been, it was a private thing and not really a Council issue, I know the people who were advocating for it and it is back up in the correct spot which is where I wanted it to go, thanks to Michael Corey and Mary from Nozomi because that is where he stood when selling the newspapers”.
According to Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “Michael Tierney was one of Ennis’ greatest characters, himself and Paddy the dog were”.
Tierney was a neighbour of Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF), she recalled, “he was a fantastic man, my grandmother and all her friends would really enjoy his mystery tours, we should be doing anything we can to highlight these great characters and people who stood out”. She continued, “he had a bag of money which was never touched, nobody every touched it going through the town which is testament to the great town we have”.
“That is what makes our town, the people in it. There was work going on with the renovation, delighted to see it has been put up,” stated Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). Cllr Murphy praised his colleague Cllr Howard for her efforts.
