Frequently Asked Questions
To purchase, renovate and re-open Linnane’s Pub, Kilfenora to create a community cultural centre in which traditional music can flourish. The pub will host welcoming, non-amplified traditional music sessions and traditional music lessons. It will become the home of Kilfenora’s latest heritage project Sounds of Kilfenora, a history of musicians from Kilfenora born before 1950. The exhibition associated with this is wonderful online archive SoundsOfKilfenora.com will become an important visitor attraction for Kilfenora.
The central asset is a two storey licensed premises at the heart of Kilfenora village across the square from the Burren Visitor Centre – itself a successful community owned social enterprise.
Along with the pub, the property includes a derelict house, outbuildings and a large beer garden area. The adjoining field is also part of the property. This substantial property gives opportunities for community garden, playground, farmers’ market, and possibly a pre-school and/or social housing for older people. You, the community will doubtless come up with more ideas! The whole property package offers huge community development potential.
The pub requires significant renovation and modernisation. The purchase price is €350,000. Our fundraising goal is €500,000. This covers the purchase price of €350k and €150k for renovation and start-up costs.
Purchase & Renovation:
The Kilfenora Corner committee will run a multifaceted fundraising campaign utilising the following activities:
- Launch and vigorously promote a GoFundMe crowdfunding page.
- Approach philanthropic donors.
- Approach high-net-worth individuals with links to Kilfenora/north Clare or particular interest in traditional music and heritage.
- Approach state agencies that provide grants for community projects.
The committee has developed a website – www.kilfenoracorner.com – which tells you more about the project and who we are.
If the fundraising goal is not met or the pub is sold before we can buy it, donated money will be returned.
First Priorities:
Our priority is to initiate welcoming, non-amplified traditional music sessions. These are rare now. Pubs that host regular ‘sessions’ book a very small group of skilled musicians who play an agreed ‘set list’ and amplify their instruments so they can be heard. This pub will be dedicated to open, non-amplified sessions that welcome musicians, professional and amateur alike.
Another priority is to establish traditional music lessons for children, ensuring the Kilfenora style and tunes are carried long into the future.
And, within the pub building, we will create an exhibition based on the new Sounds of Kilfenora archive. This will be the first of many visitor experiences we will host and will build on the success of the Burren Visitor Centre’s exhibition on the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
The Kilfenora Corner Project will be owned and managed by a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). This structure is commonly used for community-led, non-profit initiatives because it ensures that no individual can profit from the project and that all decisions are made in the best interest of the community. A CLG promotes transparency, accountability, and collective responsibility, making it the ideal legal structure to protect the long-term integrity of the Kilfenora Corner Project and to give the local community a meaningful voice in its future.
An Irish Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) must comply with the Companies Act 2014 and other relevant regulations. Key legal requirements include having a constitution, appointing at least two directors and one secretary, and maintaining proper records. CLGs are generally formed for non-profit purposes and are popular for charities, clubs, and associations.
Key aspects of a CLG:
- Non-profit focus: CLGs are primarily used for non-profit organizations, and profits cannot be distributed to members.
- Liability: Members' liability is limited to the amount they have guaranteed to contribute to the company's assets in the event of winding up, often a nominal amount like €1.
- Transparency: CLGs promote transparent governance, especially when compared to other business structures.
Key Legal Compliance Areas for an Irish CLG:
- Incorporation: Registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
- Constitution: Must have a constitution (memorandum and articles of association) outlining the company's objectives and rules for governance.
- Directors and Secretary: Requires at least two directors and one company secretary, who can be one of the directors or an external party.
- Members: Requires at least one member, but some exceptions exist for charities.
- Name: Must include "Company Limited by Guarantee" or its Irish equivalent in the name.
- Financial Reporting: Must file annual returns and accounts with the CRO.
- Tax Registration: Must register for tax and potentially apply for charitable tax exemptions if applicable.
- Other Compliance: Must maintain records, comply with data protection laws, and potentially adhere to specific sector regulations.
If the fundraising goal is not met or the pub is sold before we can buy it, donated money will be returned.
We Thank you so much for your support and generosity — we truly appreciate every offer to contribute to the Kilfenora Corner Project. While the GoFundMe platform is our main donation method (and allows us to return funds if needed), we understand that not everyone has access to a credit or debit card. If you prefer to donate in cash, you're very welcome to do so. Please note: unlike GoFundMe donations, cash donations cannot be refunded, as they aren’t tracked through the online system. Any cash we receive will go directly towards the project, either to help fund the campaign itself or to cover small day-to-day expenses directly related to the campaign, such as printing posters or flyers. Thank you again for your support. Every bit helps us move closer to making this vision a reality for the community!
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