We remember the Friends of Clonmel activities and all the memories we shared!
April 26, 2024
Peoria Sister Cities International Night
It was a wonderful evening celebrating Peoria's Sister City relationships with China, Germany, Ireland, and Lebanon. This event allowed the public to experience and sample a small piece of the culture of each of Peoria's Sister Cities.
Food Tastings
Cash Bar
Entertainment
Raffles
January 27, 2024
Pub Crawl
This event was open to Members and non-Members alike! Once again a few of our favorite Irish Pubs were on the tour and a great time was had by all! Sláinte! 
IRISH PUBS
Jimmy's Bar
Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery
Carrigan's Pub
W. E. Sullivan's Irish Pub & Fare
Donnelly's Shamrock Pub
Intercontinental Readers Book Club 2023
Book Club meetings are held at 11:00 am at the Peoria Public Library Main Branch - Lower Level II. No fees, so signups, just come and join the discussion. Everyone is welcome!
Check with the Peoria Public Library for the availability of library copies of these books.
March 22, 2023 - This Tender Land by William Kent Kruger
June 7, 2023 - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Sept 6, 2023 - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Nov 1, 2023 - Life Sentences by Billy O'Callaghan
If you weren't able to attend the Book Club discussions, we hope our Book Club list inspired you to choose to read one of these selections. Happy Reading!
November 18, 2023
Irish Derby
Raber Packing Company
Our Annual Fundraiser, the popular Irish Derby, returned this year at a new venue. A few changes were made to provide a casual and entertaining night filled with all the excitement you would expect at the racetrack. And of course, the Raber's menu was everything you expected!
Thanks to our Advertisers and YOU for a successful Irish Derby!
April 28, 2023
Sister Cities International Night
Itoo Hall - Farmington Road, Peoria
The evening was an opportunity for everyone to experience a sample of the culture of each of Peoria's Sister Cities.
On hand were
* Ethnic Food tastings from each country
* Ethnic Beer Flights from each country
* Cultural Entertainment from each country
Also, a few raffles were thrown in for fun!
It was a wonderful event to celebrate Peoria's Sister City relationships with China, Germany, Ireland, and Lebanon.
March 26, 2023
Sister City Trivia Challenge
Jimmy's Bar, West Peoria vs Carey's Pub, Clonmel
We did it!
The Trophy is coming home from Carey's Pub to Jimmy's Bar!
Thanks to all who participated and helped make this happen!
Sláinte!
March 4, 2023
Saturday
The Irish Revue
The event was so popular last year that two shows were offered this year, a Matinee Luncheon and a Evening Dinner. Both events featured our favorite traditional Irish Music entertainers accompanied by great food provided by The Lariat Steakhouse.
Intercontinental Readers Book Club - 2022
New Meeting Time and New Technology
After the break due to Covid, we were able to resume Book Club meetings this year with a few changes.
To better meet the needs of the time difference between Clonmel and Peoria, the Book Club meetings were held at 11:00 am at the Peoria Public Library Main Branch - Lower Level II.
New Technology this year included Zoom rather than Skype and conferencing hardware called The Owl that provided a 360-degree view to Clonmel of the book club group at the Peoria Public Library. All participants thought this really enhanced the discussion!
2022 Book Selections were
June 8, 2022 - The Thing About December by Donal Ryan
September 7, 2022 - Book to be determined (American author)
December 7, 2022 - A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
November 18, 2022
Friday
The Irish Derby
We welcomed everyone to the 10th Anniversary of The Irish Derby! A new location this year, Trefzger's allowed for an even bigger and better evening. The new location with the same great video Horse Races, Drawings, and Prizes made for a wonderful evening for everyone.
November 13, 2022
Sunday
Annual Meeting
The Friends of Clonmel annual business meeting and election of officers and directors was held on Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2022, at 2:00 pm.
RE/MAX Building
3622 N. Knoxville Ave
Peoria, IL
New officers and directors were elected to serve a two-year term.
September 25, 2022
Trivia Contest
Once again the International Trivia Contest Challenge between Jimmy's Bar in West Peoria, Illinois, and Carey's Pub in Clonmel, Ireland was very competitive!
Special drawings and cash prizes were awarded all afternoon.
A great time was had by all!
March 5, 2022
The Irish Revue
The Friends of Clonmel was pleased to bring back to Peoria, The Irish Revue, a celebration of our Irish heritage.
It was a great evening of dinner, fellowship, and traditional Irish music at The Lariat Steakhouse in Peoria.
Thanks to everyone who made the evening such a success!
January 16, 2022 - CANCELLED
Irish Pub Crawl
Regretfully the 2022 Irish Pub Crawl was canceled as a precaution to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
November 12, 2021
Irish Derby
What a fun-filled evening! A new venue this year, The Lariat Steakhouse in Peoria, was very well received.
Thanks to everyone who made the evening such a success!
November 14, 2021
Annual Meeting
The Friends of Clonmel annual business meeting and election of officers and directors began at 2:00 pm.
ReMax Building
3622 N Knoxville Ave
Peoria IL 61603
Thanks to all the members who attended!
November 2020 - Annual Meeting
Dear Friends of Clonmel Members,
Due to the pandemic, and for the health and safety of our members, I am postponing the Annual November meeting until things are better.
Yvonne is doing well at Bradley. We are still raising funds to offset her tuition.
The Derby Committee would like to thank everyone for your generous support and let you know we had an outstanding “Giving Back” event!
Thank you for your support and understanding during these challenging times. We will notify you as to when and where the next meeting will be held.
Sincerely,
James R. Dillon
President
October 24, 2020 - Virtual Irish Derby
GIVING BACK 2020
Watch the video of the live drawings
See the complete list of lucky winners
In response to the global pandemic and the safety of our members, the Friends of Clonmel offered GIVING BACK 2020, the virtual answer to the popular Irish Derby.
This year presented challenges for all of us including many of the local businesses who have generously supported the Friends of Clonmel and our Irish Derby fundraiser in the past. Instead of asking these businesses for donations, the Friends of Clonmel decided on a ‘GIVING BACK’ theme by purchasing gift certificates and raffle items from them.
The Basket Raffle and the Grand Prize Drawing that you've always enjoyed were kept. Gift cards to some of the local businesses were found in some of the Baskets and the Grand Prize was an assortment of those gift cards worth a minimum of $1,000!!!
Newly added was a 50/50 Cash Raffle with proceeds of the raffle split 50/50 between the lucky raffle winner and the Friends of Clonmel.
Local Businesses Supported by GIVING BACK 2020
- Alexander's Steak House
- Basta East Port
- Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
- Carrigan's Pub
- Donnelly's Irish Pub
- The Hayloft Shops
- Hearth Restaurant
- Jimmy's Bar
- Kelleher's Irish Pub and Eatery
- Le Peep
- Peoria Art Guild
- Peoria Flag and Decorating
- Trefzger's Bakery
- W.E. Sullivan's Irish Pub and Fare
2020 Intercontinental Readers Book Club
Due to the Global Pandemic, 2020 Book Club was postponed.
2020 book selections were
The Transatlantic Book Club by Felicity Hayes-McCoy
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
The Lives of Women by Christine Dwyer Hickey
The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash
We encourage you to read these wonderful selections even if we could not meet!