1/4 of a century ago, September 2, 1995 the new Clonliffe Harriers clubhouse was officially opened by Mr Bertie Ahern TD. The opening was attended by the Clonliffe Harriers club president Maurice Ahern, the club captain Peter McDermott, club secretary Caroline Keane, treasurer Noreen Keane, committee members, club members and invited guests.
The club’s previous dressing rooms and club bar had been situated under the old Clonliffe ‘stand’. This had fallen into a state of disrepair, and although very fondly remembered by club members of a certain age possibly through rose tinted and beer stained glasses the new facility opened 25 years ago was a state-of-the-art clubhouse. Dressing rooms, showers and a hall downstairs and on the first floor a brand spanking new club bar. This club bar over the past 25 years has been the hub of the clubs social life hosting after event prize-giving, athletes of the year presentations, many an infamous cake race night, club AGM s and of course the famed Morton Games get together.
It’s only a pity that with the current Covid 19 restrictions that we cannot mark this occasion in a more fitting manner at this time but these darker days will be behind us soon and once again the best pints of Guinness in Dublin will be shared along with stories of past and present Harriers. We look forward to those days and long nights! Nil desperandum.