Kilkee Civic Trust

Talk Description:
Seán Aloyisious Bourke (1934–1982) was born in Limerick. A petty criminal, who became internationally famous when he sprung George Blake, a fellow inmate, from the Wormwood Scrubs prison in 1966. Blake was a notorious spy for the Soviet Union.

Our speaker – Michael Nolan – has an intriguing account to tell of Bourke’s life and times, particularly, the Kilkee aspect of the Seán Bourke story. After escaping Wormwood Scrubs; Bourke & Blake made their way to East Germany. Once in Soviet territory it was comparatively easy to get to Moscow, where both Bourke and Blake were treated Royally – given accommodation and a pension. However; Bourke did not like the Soviet Union with its bureaucratic institutions and society – so after a couple of years he returned to Ireland. Once back in Ireland; Seán Bourke faced an extradition charge from the United Kingdom authorities – but the Irish Supreme Court rejected the application on the grounds that the Jailbreak was a Political Offence; and therefore, exempted under Extradition Law. During this time, Bourke wrote an account of the Jailbreak – The Springing of George Blake – which was a best seller. The proceeds from the book were soon spent as alcohol had taken over a lot of his life. He ended up penniless. In 1981 – Seán Bourke moved to Kilkee and lived in a caravan in Percy French Estate. To discover all the intriguing parts of this Spy Story; simply, you will have to attend Michael Nolan’s Talk! Seán Bourke George Blake ~ Double Agent 26

About the Speaker: Michael Nolan is a Kilkee Native and a well known West Clare Solicitor. It is always rewarding to be in Michael’s company as he effortlessly tells the story & history of so much about West Clare and, particularly, Kilkee, in an accessible and easy manner. His knowledge and love of home place is considerable. Michael is passionate about the history & heritage of the Loop Head Peninsula area. A member of several local organisations; Michael Nolan is a Member of Kilkee Civic Trust for many years and has delivered Talks several times over the years. Two recent examples are as follows: • In 2014 – Michael spoke on “Kilkee and the Great War” • In 2016 – Michael spoke on “Sinn Féin Courts in West Clare 1918 – 1925”

Kilkee Civic Trust

Talk Description:
The land at Seapoint was acquired by Edward Cruise in the late 1840’s / early 1850’s and he built 2 semi-detached lodges on the site. In the early 1860’s he sold one of the lodges and rented out the 2nd one which was held in trust for his daughter.
In 1920 Kitt Desmond acquired one of the lodges and a few years later she purchased the 2nd lodge and ran a very successful hotel business until 1943 when she put the hotel up for sale. The Desmond Hotel was purchased by a group of Methodists, who hailed from Cloughjordan and its environs. Clár Ellagh was the brainchild of Rev. Samuel Crawford, who wanted to offer reasonably priced holidays in a Christian environment with a view to young people expanding their social circle and making new friends. It was under the auspices of The Christian Endeavour Movement. With the addition of a 2nd floor in the 1960’s – it could cater for 100 guests at any one time. It closed its doors for the last time in 2006.In 2007 it was purchased by the late Martin Cullinan and in 2014 it changed hands once again and was later converted into three private houses. Yvonne McGann Clár Ellagh 24 About the Speaker: Born and reared in Tipperary Town, Yvonne got her love of local history from her father. Her lifelong ambition was to be a secondary school teacher and after attending U.C.C. she graduated with a degree in History, Spanish and English. Yvonne’s 1st teaching job was in Kilrush, then Salesians in Limerick and finally she spent 28 very happy years teaching in Salesian College, Pallaskenry. Having retired in 2019 – Yvonne now resides permanently in Kilkee and is a member of both Kilkee Historical Society and Kilrush & District Historical Society. Yvonne is also our newest Kilkee Civic Trust member.

Kilkee Civic Trust

Talk Description:
Desperate to conquer the frozen frontier, Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) undertook four dangerous journeys to Antarctica, including his famous failure-turned-successful survival mission on the Endurance.
One hundred years after Shackleton’s death, Neale Webb will provide a unique insight on the life and extraordinary times of his Explorer and Adventurer Relation Sir Ernest Shackleton.



2014 to 2017 marked the Centenary Years of the Endurance Expedition. The Centenary of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration has given rise to much research, analysis and reflection about this human endeavour, survival and achievements in the harshest of conditions. Sir Ernest Shackleton was one of the heroes of that age.

Although there were some occasional claims for Kilkee, Co. Clare – Shackleton was actually born in Kilkea, Co Kildare, in 1874. Neale Webb’s Grandfather was a cousin of the great Irish Explorer and Neale himself has been to the Antarctic on three occasions. He will discuss Shackleton’s background, career and legacy and his interaction with Scott, Amundsen and other characters of the age.

The Endurance, the lost vessel of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, was crushed by sea-ice and sank on 21st November 1915, forcing Shackleton and his men to make an astonishing escape on foot and in small boats.
Endurance – Final Sinking 1915.

The wreck of Endurance was found on 5th March 2022, nearly 107 years after she sank, at the bottom of the Weddell Sea,

Endurance rests at a depth of 3,008m.

Video of the remains show Endurance to be in remarkable condition.

About the Speaker:
Neale Webb lives in Dublin and has a family connection to Shackleton!
He first travelled to the Antarctic in 2005 and the intervening years have been marked by several invitations from Local History Societies and Event Groups for Neale Webb to tell the story of his travels in Polar Regions. Webb says his most spectacular trip was in 2006 when he travelled on a Russian Icebreaker all the way to the Ross Ice Shelf – and McMurdo Sound – where the Huts of the Heroic Age are situated. Webb was even more fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to fly by helicopter to Shackleton’s Hut at Cape Royds, then, Scott’s Hut at Cape Evans, and the Discovery Hut beside the US McMurdo Base.
Neals Webb says he is particularly chuffed that the BBC are, in more recent times, describing Shackleton as ‘Anglo-Irish’ rather than the traditional ‘British’.
In January 2012, Neale Webb delivered his Talk to the Kildare Street and University Club.

A Review said: “It was a virtuoso performance by Neale and enjoyed by the huge attendance. He reclaimed Shackleton as a genuine Irish hero”.

Talk Description:
A Treasure Trove of old photographs across not only decades, but two centuries; representing a lifetimes passion for all things Kilkee; has been assembled by well-known and greatly admired Kilkee man J.J. Hickie. So large is his collection; the great dilemma for J.J. will not be what photographs to put in, but what ones to leave out!
Each photograph will be accompanied by J.J.’s insightful commentary, revealing many interesting historical facts, anecdotes and, perhaps, even a few surprising revelations.
About the Speaker:
An active member of Kilkee Historical Society & Kilkee Civic Trust; J. J. Hickie is a well-known Kilkee native, businessman, purveyor for many years of Hickie’s Victualler Shop at O’Connell St. Kilkee; now in the safe hands of his son Shane.
J.J. Hickie has an encyclopaedic knowldge of Kilkee’s life and times over recent centuries and his personal selection of photographs is certain to be memorable.
Those who know him well say the accolade of “Local Historian” is more than justified.