'A real honour': President Catherine Connolly pays visit to major Clare organisation

President Catherine Connolly visited an award-winning social enterprise in Kilfenora recently, marking a proud moment for the organisation and the wider North Clare community.

During the visit to Common Knowledge, the President met with staff, local volunteers and participants from programmes such as Build School, Field Good Fridays and Queer Sheds. Guests shared personal stories of learning new skills, building confidence and finding a sense of belonging through their connection with the organisation.  

The visit also highlighted the team’s ecological restoration work across its fifty acre site, along with recent upgrades to the Kilfenora learning centre that support year round activity.

Following a fireside chat, the President visited the workshop where she worked with instructor Cian Corcoran to assemble a cabinet that will be used for Common Knowledge’s main community event space.  

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Speaking after the visit, Co-CEO Fionn Kidney said: “It was a real honour to welcome the President to the Burren. Her visit shines a light on the community spirit that has shaped Common Knowledge from the beginning. Everything we do here is rooted in people supporting one another, and today’s gathering reflected that.”

Aoife Hammond, Community Projects Manager at Common Knowledge added: “Tá cultúr láidir i dTuaisceart an Chláir maidir le comharsana ag cabhrú lena chéile - tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh ár bpobal linn, a chabhraigh leis an áit seo a thógáil, anseo ag am nuair a aithnítear muid ag leibhéal náisiúnta. Táimid an-bhuíoch de gach duine a chabhraigh leis an áit seo a thógáil..”

The visit closed with a handmade gift from one of the organisation’s instructors and a group photograph with staff and local participants.