Clarecastle

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 / 52.816667°N 8.966667°W / 52.816667; -8.966667Coordinates: 52°49′00″N 8°58′00″W / 52.816667°N 8.966667°W / 52.816667; -8.966667
Country Ireland
Province Munster
County County Clare
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Time zone UTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid Reference R346742

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

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. Today it is used for fishing and recreation.

Sports

The main sport played in Clarecastle is hurling with the teams of all age groups named Clarecastle GAA. The team colours are black and white and are known as the 'magpies'.

Notable people

The composer Gerald Barry was born in Clarecastle in 1952.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Clarecastle Historical Background.
  2. ↑ Clarecastle (Clare Abbey).
  3. ↑ "Mass at St John's Well – a very special occasion". Clarecastle Community Development. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  4. ↑ "The Importance of Being Barry". roh.org.uk.

  • "Clarecastle (Clare Abbey)". Diocese of Killaloe. Retrieved 2004-03-30.
  • "Clarecastle Historical Background". Clare County Library. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
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