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.

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Clarecastle Clár Átha an da Choradh / Droichead an Clár
Village
Main Street
Clarecastle Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°49′00″N 8°58′00″W
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Clare
Time zone	UTC+0 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid Reference	R346742

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]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Sports

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

Notable people

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

Gallery

• 
  The quay was once a busy port, acting as port of Ennis
• 
  On the left the ruins of the castle itself, name-giver of the village. In the middle the former military barracks.
• 
  Built 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
• 
  Housing estate off Hill View

See also

• List of abbeys and priories in County Clare
• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clarecastle.

• Clarecastle GAA

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