Clarecastle

Clarecastle (An Clár or Irish: Droichead an Chláir, meaning "Bridge of the Plateau") is a village just south of Ennis in County Clare, Ireland. From 2008 to 2016 the village saw a significant population increase due to its proximity to Ennis, Shannon, and Limerick.

Not to be confused with Clare Castle.

Clarecastle

"Clár Átha an da Choradh or " Droichead an Clár"
Village
Estate at Clarecastle
Clarecastle
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°49′00″N 8°58′00″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCounty Clare
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceR346742

Name

The town is named after the Clare Castle,[1] which stands on an island in the narrowest navigable part of the River Fergus. The Irish Clár, meaning a wooden board, is often used for a bridge. The name probably originated as Clár adar da choradh, which means "the bridge between two weirs". Another explanation of the name is that the de Clare family gave the castle its name, since they had acquired land in Kilkenny and Thomond that included the castle. In 1590 County Clare was named after the castle, which is in a strategic location.[1]

Clarecastle (Clare Abbey) is a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe.[2] It is also known as Ballyea/Clarecastle. Clare Abbey and Killone Abbey are linked by a footpath, the Pilgrim's Road.[3]

Main street in Clarecastle in 2010

History

Clarecastle was once a port for boats, used to deliver items into the town of Ennis that could not navigate the river Fergus. The Quay of Clarecastle was a busy port during its time.[1] Today it is used for fishing and recreation.

Sports

The local GAA team is Clarecastle GAA.[4] The club's colours are black and white and are known as the Magpies.

Notable people

The composer Gerald Barry was born in Clarecastle in 1952.[5]

  • The quay was once a busy port, acting as port of Ennis
  • With the building of a weir and walls along the floodplains of the river it was tried to improve the reachability of the quay.
  • On the left the ruins of the castle itself, name-giver of the village. In the middle the former military barracks.
  • Build in the 1970s it replaced a five arch bridge to cope with the increasing traffic
  • The factory of Roche used to be the main employer in Clarecastle

See also

References
  1. "Clarecastle Historical Background". clarelibrary.ie. Clare County Library. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  2. "Clarecastle (Clare Abbey)". Diocese of Killaloe. Retrieved 30 March 2004.
  3. "Mass at St John's Well – a very special occasion". Clarecastle Community Development. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  4. "CLG Clár Átha an Dá Choradh – A Brief History". clarecastlegaa.ie. Clarecastle GAA. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  5. "The Importance of Being Barry". roh.org.uk.
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