Category Archives: Clare

Inside Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare

Bunratty Castle is a large fortress built in 1425 and restored in 1954.


I was last there when Cassie and Liz were with me and these photographs were taken June 2013.

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Memorials of West Clare, Co. Clare

Extensive list of Co. Clare memorials, transcribed and then published by Mr. Brian Cantwell in 1991.


Locations:

1. Ardacra – St. Brigid’s, R.C. – 1 page
2. Ballyvaughan, R.C. – 1 page
3. Clooney South (west of Corofin) – 2 pages
4. Coad – 7 pages
5. Corofin – St. Catherine’s Church of Ireland (now Corofin Heritage Centre) – 5 pages
6. Kilcorcoran (east of Miltown Malbay) – 4 pages
7. Kildeema (south of Miltown Malbay) – 4 pages (last page 1 line!)
8. Kilfarboy(north of Miltown Malbay) – 5 pages
9. Kilfenora (old Cathedral) – 7 pages
10. Killaspuglonane (R.C. parish of Kilmacrehy, west of Ennistymon and north of Liscannor) – 2 pages (2nd two lines!)
11. Killenagh (east of Ennistymon) – 1 page
12. Killernan (parish of Kilmurry, south east of Ennistymon) – 9 pages
13. Killinaboy – 3 pages
14. Kilmacrehy (east of Liscannor) – 4 pages
15. Kilmurry-Ibrickane – 4 pages
16. Kilshanny Old (east of Kilshanny R.C. Church) – 3 pages
17. Kiltenanlea (south east Co. Clare at Doonass near Cloonlara) – 3 pages
18. Kilvoydan – 2 pages
19. Lisdoonvarna (memorials and dedications from inside R.C. church) – 1 page
20. Miltown Malbay, Church of Ireland – 2 pages
21. Noughaval (old graveyard close to present R.C. church, dedicated 1943) – 3 pages
22. Rath – 2 pages
23. Tooclath R.C. Church – 2 dedications from inside church

Surnames found in these locations:
The numbers after each name refer to the graveyard found in as listed and numbered above.

Adams: 5
Aherin: 14
Anderson: 20
Armstrong: 9

Ball: 20
Barrett: 14, 15
Barry: 6, 8
Beaty: 8
Blake: 12
Blood: 5, 9, 13, 16, 20
Bohanon: 18
Bourk: 12
Bourke: 6, 8
Boylan: 19
Boyle: 7
Bradley: 6
Brady: 13, 16
Brew: 5
Brody: 4
Browne: 18
Burke: 6, 8, 9, 12, 22
Burton: 5
Bushell: 6
Butler: 15, 17
Byrn: 3

Caher: 4
Cahill: 4
Cahir: 13
Cahn: 13
Callanan: 16
Callinan: 6, 12, 13
Campbell: 9, 14
Canny: 9, 21
Carkill: 4
Carmody: 6
Carney: 12
Carr……: 22 (this name is only partial)
Carroll: 12
Carysford: 12
Casey: 4, 15
Cassidy: 4, 22
Cathers: 9
Clancy: 6, 8
Clapshoe: 14
Cleary: 8, 12, 18
Cloghessy: 6
Collins: 12
Comerford: 7
Commane: 4
Comyn: 8, 13, 21
Conlon: 17
Connell: 17
Connellan: 4, 12
Connelty: 3
Connor: 21
Conry: 13
Considine: 14
Conway: 6
Corry: 11, 12, 13, 15
Corbett: 9
Coughlan: 11, 12
Couny: 9
Crawford: 12
Creagh: 4
Crips: 20
Crowe: 6, 16, 22
Crowford: 12
Cullen: 4
Cullinan: 3, 13
Culliny: 9
Culliry: 13
Cunningham: 15, 17
Curran: 14
Curry: 14
Curtin: 6, 8, 10, 11, 12
Curtis: 13
Cusack: 22

Daly: 8, 9, 15
Darcy: 12
Davies: 5, 9, 20
Davoren: 4, 8,13, 21
Devit: 14
Dillon: 13
Doghty: 9
Doherty: 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16
Donnellan: 8, 12, 15
Donohue: 13
Donoghue: 9, 13
Donnollan: 12
Donoughy: 22
Donouhoe: 13
Dorey: 15
(Dorney?): 11
Douglas: 5
Dounes: 8
Downes: 7, 8
Downey: 14
Doyle: 15
Drew: 9
Droney: 16
Drummond: 18
Dugan: 12
Dwyre: 17

Eagar/Edgar: 5
Earls: 6, 8
East: 5
Edwards: 4, 14
E(g?)an: 7
Egan: 8, 12
Ellis: 20
Emerson: 13
Enright: 13
Ensko: 18

Fallon: 2
(Fandoller?): 9
Fitzgerald/FitzGerald: 4, 5, 8, 9, 17, 20
Fitzmaurice: 5
Fitzpatrick: 3, 4, 5, 8, 21
Flaherty: 9
Flanagan: 10, 12, 21
Flatley: 22
Flyn: 4
Flynn: 6, 20
Flynne: 4
Fogarty: 4, 22
Foley: 10, 13
Ford: 4
Forde: 2
Foster: 4
Fraley: 8
Fraly: 8
Frawley: 6, 8, 12, 18

Gallery: 7
Gardener: 5, (?13)
Garrihie: 19
Gatel: 9
Gleeson: 17
Glynn: 13, 21
Gready: 17
Green: 17
Griffin: 7, 12, 15
Guithrie: 15
Guthrie: 5, 19

Hallarey: 16
Haley: 8
Halloran: 8, 12, 17
Hamilton: 9
Hanlon: 9
Hanrahan: 2, 8, 16
Haran: 12
Hare: 13
Haren: 6, 12
Harin: 8
Hartigan: 16
Hayes: 12, 22
Healy: 9, 12, 16, 23
Heam: 7
Heher: 12
Hehir: 3, 14, 21
Henchy: 6
Herbert: 5
Heyns: 4
Higgins: 1
Hill: 6
Hinehy: 12
Hogan: 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 22
Holland: 14
Holohan: 22
Honan: 8
Houlahan: 16
Houlley: 4
Howley: 4, 18, 22
Howly: 9
Hudson: 5
Hurley: 7
Hynes: 4, 7, 21

Jervoise: 5
Jordan: 4, 9, 16

Kain: 8
Kean: 21
Keavey: 12
Kelly: 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Kenelly: 6
Kennedy: 13, 14
Kenny: 9, 12, 15, 18
Keogh: 1
Kerin: 14, 16, 18
Kilkelly: 4
Killeen: 8, 12, 15
Kilmartin: 12
Kinane: 8
King: 17
Kinnane: 8
Kirk: 19
Knox: 5

Lahiff: 9
Lare: 10
Lawlor: 17
Leahy: 16
Leary: 13
Leenane: 19
Lenahan: 12
Lenan: 9
Lenehan: 12
Leo: 18
Leyden: 3, 9, 14
Liddy: 6, 14
Licnchy: 16
Linehan: 8
Linihan: 12
Lingard: 5
Linnane: 9
Long: 5
Looney: 7
(Lorney?): 11
Louney: 7
Louny: 12
Lucas: 17
Luneen: 8
Lynch: 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 19
Lynchy: 8, 12
Lyneen: 8
Lynes: 14
Lysaght: 9, 14, 16

Mac-An-Bharig: 9
McCarthy: 12, 21
McCombe: 5
Mc/MacDonagh: 7, 9
Mc/MacDonough: 7, 9, 14
McGaw: 8
Mc/MaGorman: 4
Mc/M’Grath: 4, 16
(McGuain?): 7
McGuane: 12, 22
McGuire: 19
McInerney: 18
McKee: 14
Mc/M’Mahon: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22
McMillen: 5
Mc/Macnamara: 3, 4, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 21

Maddigan: 12
Made: 7
Madigan: 8
Magencharig: 9
Maguire: 6
Mahon: 4, 13
Mahony: 12
Mallone: 8
Maranan: 8
Marron: 16
Marrinen: 8
Mead: 15
Meade: 6, 8, 14, 15
Mealy: 12
Meath: 6
Mee: 9
Minihan: 4
Mitchell: 5
Molohan: 15
Moloney: 6, 7, 13, 20
Molony: 9, 20, 21
Mongovan: 15
Mooney: 15
Moore: 8
Moorhead: 5
Moran: 9, 14, 21
Moroney: 6, 12, 20
Morony: 12, 20
Morrissey: 12
Moy: 12, 22
Mullions: 13
Muloone: 8
Mulquin: 16
Murphy: 4, 7, 12
Murray: (6?), 10, 18
Murrihy: 10, 15

Nagle: 16
Naughan: 14
Neagle: 14
Nestor: 4, 16
Nevelle: 2
Neylan: 9, 12, 16
Neylon: 3, 10, 14
Ni Dea: 9
Nolan: 6, 15
O’Brien: 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 21
O’Brien (title): 5
O’Byrl: 9
O’Connal: 17
O’Conners: 4
O’Connor: 8, 9, 14, 16, 18
O’Dea: 9, 13, 21
O’Donnell: 5, 7, 22
O’Dwyer: 6, 7, 8, 16
O’Flanagan/ O Flanagan: 4, 13
O’Gorman: 4, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15
O’Grady: 15, 17, 21
O’Hawe: 4
O Hehir: 13
O’Hyne: 4
O’Keefe: 13
O’Leary: 9, 19, 21
O’Lochlin: 14
O’Lochlen: 4, 8
O’Loughlin: 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 19
O’Mara: 4
O’Neal: 12
O Neilan: 13
O’Neill: 6
O’Neille: 12
Onions: 5
O’Rahelly: 17
O’Regan: 3, 22
O’Rigan: 4
O’Sullivan: 5, 12, 18
Owen: 4, 17, 18

Paterson: 5
Philps: 20
Pierce: 9
Pinn(?)y: 14
Pouer/Pover: 4
Power: 4, 9, 23
Power Davoren: 13
Purtill: 17

Queely: 14
Quely: 8
Quin: 4, 9, 17
Quinlivan: 7
Quinn: 13, 16, 22

Rahely: 17
Reaidey: 3
Red (?Redmond?): 17
Reidy: 14
Riedy: 10
Roberts: 5
Roche: 22
Rochford: 6
Rodriguez: 3
Russell: 5
Ryan: 5, 6, 8, 15, 17
Ryder: 2

Scanlan: 15
Scarlett: 9
Scully: 8
Sexton: 7, 8, 12
Shallow: 17
Shanahan: 15
Shannon: 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15
Sharman: 5
Shary: 14
Sheedy: 16
Slattery: 9
Spaight: 17
Spellissy: 4
Stack: 6, 16
Star(r?): 9
Stratten: 17
Stuart: 20
Studdert: 5
Sulivan: 12
Sullivan: 6, 8, 12
Symon: 14
Swyny: 21

Talty: 6, 8, 12
Thynn: 16
Thynne: 15
Tierney: 18, 22
Tobin: 17
Treacy: 20
(Troy?): 7
Tubridy: 12, 15
Tymons: 5

Vaughan: 8, 14

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Great Hibernian Central Junction Railway Proposal

It is proposed to form a railway from the south to the North of Ireland, commencing at Limerick and ending at Clones, a distance of 122 miles with a branch from Parsonstown, through Roscrea, to Templemore of 18 miles. The Railway will proceed northwards by Killaloe, Nenagh, Cloughjodan, Shinrone, Parsonstown, Banagher, Shannon Harbour, Athlone, Ballymahon, Kennagh, Longford, Granard, Arvagh, Cavan and Ballyhaise, to Clones, at which point it will meet the traffic supplied by the Belfast and Ballymena, the Ulster, the Newry and Enniskillen, the Dundalk and Enniskillen and the Coleraine, Londonderry and Enniskillen Railways, thus concentrating in its northern Terminus, the intercourse of all the lines in that important portion of the country ; and on the South being in direct communication with the various existing and projected lines to Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Tralee &c., it will bring the two extremes of the kingdom into immediate connection, effectually open up the interior of the country, and necessarily tend to develop its almost hidden resources, while the fact of the line crossing from East to West of the country, without competing with any of them forms a singular and strikingly advantageous featured in the undertaking.


To those intimately acquainted with Ireland, its capabilities and requirements, this general outline might suffice ; but for the information of others, it may be requisite to enter more into detail of the advantages to be derived from this important project, as well as with reference to the benefit to be afforded to the country at large, as to the certain advantages which it promises to the Shareholders.

This line will afford facilities, heretofore unknown, fo exporting Agricultural productions of Ireland to the markets of England and Scotland, whether of livestock, grain, flour, butter or poultry, as well as the valuable minerals of slate, marble, lead and copper in which the country in its vicinity abounds, while to the merchants of Galway, Sligo, Londondery, Belfast, Newry, Dundalk, Waterford, Cork and Limerick, it will give means of communication with, and of supply to and from the central towns, fairs and markets from the want of easy and direct communication. Taking the natural level presented by the valley of the Shannon, above 2/3rds of the line will pass through the great wheat district of the country, in which the principal Corn Mills are situated, and from which the Northern and North Western counties are at present chiefly supplied with flour by long and expensive cartage.

It will render the Water-power and Mill sites of the Shannon and its tributaries now improved by the Shannon Commissioners, and about to be disposed of by them, available to the commercial enterprise of the country ; but as the importance of this feature may not be sufficiently known, the following extracts taken from the valuable work of Professor Kane, upon the “Industrial Resources of Ireland” are submitted, pointing out, as they do, not only the extraordinary advantages presented for the formation of a Railway parallel with the Shannon, but also describing many of the benefits to be derived from the work, the remarks on the facilities afforded by the river as a mode of communication being infinitely more forcible when applied to a Railway. The water power on the Shannon is thus spoken of by Professor Kane:-
“That great river, which penetrating the interior of Ireland, navigable from the ocean to its source, rising in one coal formation , emptying itself through another, and washing the banks of our most fertinle counties, passes slowly along falling but 50 feet in 150 miles, until it arrives at Killaloe, where its waters rush down the great rapids towards Limerick, and in a space of 15 miles present a difference of level of 97 feet of which the available power may be estimated, at least with tolerable approximation from the returns and the reports published by the Commissioners for the improvement of its navigation.”
“I shall take the average force of water available per foot of fall, at 350 horse-power ; which gives for the 97 feet of fall between Killaloe and Limerick, a total of 33,950 horse-power in continuous action, day and night throughout the year.”
“This however, is by no means the whole power of the River, for although in the upper portion of its course it flows through a district unusually level, there is yet between Lough Derg and Lough Allen, a total available fall of forty six feet six inches.”
“The total continuous power is therefore 4,717 horse, which added to that of the River from Killaloe, 33950, gives a force existing between Limerick and Lough Allen of 38,667 horse power supposed in constant action.”

Speaking of the slate quarries of Killaloe, Professor Kane continues
“The most extensive slate quarries of Ireland are near Killaloe. ***** The slates are of the very finest quality and can be had of almost any magnitude ; there are some in the museum of the Royal Dublin Society of 10 feet square area. The stone is for building purposes one of the best in Ireland. ***** These two quarries produce about 10,000 tons of manufactured slate per annum, and if a greater demand occurred the water and the spout quarries could be put into immediate operation. By the operation of this Company (the imperial) employment is given to more than 700 men and boys, and all who visit the district are equally struck with the unexpected size and magnificence of the quarries, as with the good order and appearance of the men.”

Of the marble quarries immediately upon the line he says –
“At Clonmacnoise, King’s Co., and Dromineer in Tipperary, are fine grey marbles variously tinted and peculiarly sound and useful. ***** A brownish red, mottled with grey of various shades, occurs at Ballymahon in Longford. “

Again with reference to the suitableness of the neighbourhood of the Shannon, for the staple trade of Ireland :-
“The rivers which flow into the Baltic afford also, on the low grounds along their banks, the seats of the flax agriculture of Russia and Northern Prussia ; and guided by these analogies, may we not ask, where are the similar soils or districts in our own country? They are abundant and available along the line of the principle river. The lands hitherto liable to flood, by the irregular risings of the Shannon, but, by the improvement of its channel, about to be permanently rendered available to agriculture amount to not less than 32,500 acres above Limerick, whilst below that city the caucasses or marshy grounds of the extraordinary fertility mentioned by Wakefield, are to be found. Such soils afford the most complete parallel to those districts of Egypt and of Belgium, which have been for ages the seats of the growth of flax. The water power at Killaloe….. places at the hands of the manufacturer the means of every mechanical preparation of the crop”

As showing the disadvantages under which Ireland must labour in the absence of a central line of Railway, intersecting those two projected, and in progress from East to West of the kingdom, the following may be extracted from the same high authority.

The expense of land carriage is so considerable even on the best roads, as to present material obstacles to the extension of commercial intercourse. It may be estimated , for general goods throughout the country at 6d per ton per mile, and even under the conditions of steady traffic with returns as in the case of the carriage of coals from the colliery district, I have been obliged to estimate its minimum amount at 3d per ton per mile. The cost of manufactured goods as well as of produce is thus heightened considerably by the cost of carriage their use is limited to a smaller circle of the people and therefore, every means that can be devised for lowering the cost of transport should be energetically made available.

No doubt appears to be now entertained that the Government will select a harbour upon the South or West of Ireland, for the American and West Indian Packet station ; in that event it is plain that the proposed Railway must form the main trunk in connexion with the Northern lines already mentioned, from the whole of Scotland and the North of England by Belfast, for the Americans and West Indian Mails, Passengers and Merchandise. Whether the Port selected be Galway, Limerick, Kilrush, Tarbert, Cork or Valentia – the obvious advantage of such a route in saving of time and avoiding the dangers and difficulties of Channel Navigation, are too obvious to require more particular mention.

Neither need the vast importance of this line to the Government and the country, in a military point of view , be dwelt upon ; suffice it is to say that it will connect by a direct road, the several garrisons of Derry, ENniskillen, Belturbet, Belfast, Armagh, Monaghan, cavan, Granard, Longford, Athlone, Banagher, Birr, nenagh and Limerick ; and by the proposed branch Roscrea, Templemore, Fermoy and Cork – thus affording the means of concentration of the force of the country at any one point in the north, south or centre, in a few hours time while looking upon it as the medium for ordinary conveyance of Troops and Military Stores to and from these several posts, a considerable return may be calculated upon from this branch of traffic.

This line will supply he want so long and severely felt by the Agriculturalists and Dealers of England, Ireland and Scotland of direct and speedy carriage for cattle to and from the large fairs of Mullingar, Athlone, Banagher and Ballinasloe – that great emporium of Irish Stock – bringing the coast of Scotland, by Belfast within a few hours of those well known and important markets – the traffic thus accommodated ensuring the large returns of profit.

From the Census returns, it appears that the population of the several towns upon the line amounts to 128,675 ; and taking the average population of the rural districts through which it runs, and assuming that the railway will be used by those living within a range of five miles it will have the carriage of a rural population of 359,655, making, with the towns, a total, in immediate connexion with the line of 488,331 ; but taking an equally legitimate but more extended view, and looking upon this as a portion of a great line from North to South, the same authority points out a population North of Clones of 1,920,865 in habitants, making with the amount already stated a gross total of nearly 4 millions and a half, independent of collateral traffic from the counties, cities and towns lying East and West, including the important port of Galway, to which this must also form the direct line from the Northern and North-Eastern Harbours.

A few more paragraphs not included here.

Taken from :
The King’s Co. Chronicle
Vol. 1 No. 3
Wednesday, Oct 6th, 1845

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Durty Nellies Photographs, Bunratty, Co. Clare

And so Penelope Pig has her first official outing.  She’s managed to break a wing but it got held on for the photo. Durty Nellies – what can I say.  A nice little pub right beside Bunratty – great location.  Food was good, company was great and I figured you’d all like to get a look at the interior.  I seem to have lost one photo which was a shot of the front of the pub.


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Emigration and Education Statistics, 1931, Co. Clare

Extract from Thom’s Directory, 1931


Clare a maritime county in the province of Munster. It is bounded on the north by Galway Bay and Galway, and on the east and south by the Shannon, which separates it from Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s greatest length from Loop Head to the boundary near Lough Atorick on the north east corner is 67 miles, and it’s breadth from Black Head to the shore west of Bunratty is 37 miles.

NAME AND FORMER DIVISIONS

The county is named after the town of Clare (or Clare Castle), near the mouth of the river Fergus; and this got it’s name from a bridge of planks by which the Fergus was crossed in old times; the Gaelic word “”ciar”” meaning a board or plank. Clare once was part of Connaught but was annexed to Munster in the fourth century A.D.The old territory of Corko Baskin included the whole of the south west, being the portion occupied by the baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw. Hy Caisin, the territory of the McNamara’s lay in Upper Bunratty and Upper Tulla; Hy Fermaic, the district of the O’Dea’s, was in the barony of Inchiquin; south of Hy Fermaic was the district of Hy Cormac. O’Heihirs district, lay between the Fergus and Slieve Callan and comprised the whole Barony of the Islands except the parish of Clondegad, which belonged to Corco-Baskin. The old district of Corcomroe occupied all the territory now represented by the Baronies of Corcomroe and Burren. Kincora, the ancient place of Brian Boru, King of Ireland was at Killaloe, and the remains of old mounds and fortifications still remain.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The minerals in the county included sandstone flags, like the Carlow flags, which were produced around Kilrush, Kilkee and Ennistymon; slates were found at Broadford, near Killaloe; but the principle quarries of what are called ‘Killaloe slates’ are in Tipperary beyond the Shannon. The Barony of Burren in the north is an extraordinary region of limestone rock, rising into hills of bare grey limestone, the intervening valleys being composed of limestone with great blocks strewn over the surface.

The the highest mountain summit in Burren district is Slieve Elva (1,109); Cappanawalla (1,023) rises over Ballyvaughan Bay and in the east of the district is Slievecarran (1,075). Turkenagh and Cappaghabaun 91,126), offshoots of the Slieve Aughty range in Galway are on the north east. South of these the Slieve Bernagh range which includes the Glannagalliagh Hills (1,746 & 1,458), rising over Lough Derg and Cragnamurragh (1,729), a mile to the west. Slieve Callan (1,282) east of Milltown Malbay commands a view of the whole country. North west of Limerick are the Cratloe Hills.

The Headlands along the coast beginning on the north west are Aughanish, east of Ballyvaghan; Black Head forming the north west angle of the county; Doolin Point; Hag’s Head, on the north of Liscannor Bay; Cream Point and Spanish Point, near Miltown Malbay; Lurgan Point opposite Mutton Island; Donegal Point defining Farrihy Bay on the north; Fooha Point south of Kilkee; and Loop Head, forming the peninsula between the Shannon and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Islands include a group which belong to Clare, in the estuary of the Fergus, near Killadysert; in the Shannon, outside Kilrush is Scattery Island, once a celebrated seat of religion and learning, founded in the fifth century and containing the ruins of seven churches and a round tower, South of Kilkee is Bishop’s island, and outside Miltown Malbay is Mutton Island.

The Bays and Harbours include the estuary of the river Fergus in the Shannon, also Kilrush harbour and Carrigaholt Bay, between which and Loop Head are Rinevalla and Kilbaha Bays. On the Atlantic coast are Ross Bay and Moore Bay at Kilkee; Mal Bay is merely the sea west of Miltown; and Liscannor Bay at Lahinch is defined on the north by Hag’s Head. On the north is Ballyvaughan Bay to the east of which are the bays of Muckinish and Aughinish.

The principle Rivers are the Shannon and it’s tributary the Fergus. The Shannon bounds Clare for about 70 miles; and the Fergus, which rises a few miles from Corrofin, flows through Inchiquin and other lakes and opens out by a broad estuary into the Shannon. The river Graney issues from Lough Graney and passing through Lough O’Grady falls into Lough Derg at Scariff Bay. The Owenogarney issues from Doon Lake near Broadford, after passing Sixmilebridge it takes the name of the Bunratty River, and joins the Shannon at Bunratty. The Inagh or Cullenagh, rises south east of Slievecallan; at Ennistymon is falls over a ledge of rocks forming a beautiful cascade and 3 miles lower enters Liscannor Bay.

The county abounds in small Lakes, some of them being among the most picturesque in Ireland. Inchiquin Lake near Corrofin, has on it’s western side, a castle ruin, the ancient residence of the O’Brien’s, Earls of inchiquin. Lough Graney in the east, lies in the midst of hills and south of it is Lough O’Grady; 6 miles east is Lough Atorick on the boundary with Galway. Lickeen Lake lies 3 miles north east of Ennistymon.

FAMILIES AND HOUSES, 1926

There were 17,454 families in the county according to the 1926 Census for Ireland, the average number in each family being 4.6. The number of ‘inhabited houses’ was 20,883, with an average of 4.8 persons to each house. The Special Inmates of Public institutions are omitted from these figures.

There were in the county 14,595 ‘Occupiers’ or ‘Heads of Families’ who were in occupation of less than five rooms, this was 83.6% of the total for the whole county. Of these 678, or 3.9% occupied one room; 2,859 or 16.4% occupied two rooms; 7,158 or 41%, occupied three rooms; and 4,500 or 25.8% were in occupation of four rooms.

There were 250 tenements in the county, in which the room had only one occupant at that time; 308 cases where the room had two, three or four occupants; 104 cases in which there were five, six or seven occupants and sixteen cases where the occupants of one room exceeded 7 in number, including 2 cases where ten persons occupied the same room.

ANALYSIS OF THE CENSUS FOR COUNTY CLARE, 1821-1926

Year Males Females Total Pop.
1821 105,056 103,033 208,089
1831 128,446 129,876 258,322
1841 144,109 142,285 286,394
1851 103,953 108,487 212,440
1861 82,541 83,764 166,305
1871 73,442 74,422 147,864
1881 71,058 70,399 141,457
1891 63,138 61,345 124,483
1901 57,386 54,948 112,334
1911 53,877 50,355 104,232
1926 50,064 44,964 95,064

EDUCATION

In 1911, there were in the county 86,139 people aged 9 years and upwards; of these 77,041 or 89.5% could read and write; 1,744 or 2.0% could read only; and 7,354 or 8.5% were illiterate. As that census was the first for which the age for consideration had been raised from 5 years to 9 years, no comparison can be made with figures from earlier censuses. But – the percentage of those of five years and upwards who were unable to read and write in 1891 was 19.2%. By 1901 this figure was listed as 13.2% and in 1911 had fallen to 10.8%.

IRISH SPEAKING (1861-1911)

No. of people 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
Irish only 7,126 4,432 2,584 900 326 161
Irish & English 72,074 53,713 62,501 45,978 43,160 36,543
Irish Total 79,200 58,145 65,085 46,878 43,486 36,704
% of population 47.6 39.3 46.0 37.7 38.7 35.2

RELIGIONS, 1871-1926(% of population)

Religion 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1926
Presbyterian 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.14 0.16 0.06
Church of Ireland 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.81 1.64 0.87
Roman Catholic 97.7 97.9 98.04 97.98 98.14 98.81
Methodist – 0.1 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.01
Others 0.1 – 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.25

EMIGRATION (1861-1911)

1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911
50,033 31,667 18,796 32,421 18,031 13,597
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Heads of Household, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, 1911

Miltownmalbay : Killard Civil Parish – Barony of Ibricken. Union of Kilrush. This is only a section of Miltownmalbay. Miltownmalbay (Co. Clare) belongs to the Civil Registration District of Kilrush fo.


The 1911 Census film references for Miltownmalbay is 55/12.?

Head of Household Townland
Barrett Simon
Beehan? John
Boland Michael
Buckley Daniel
Buckley Patrick
Burke Patrick
Burke Thady
Burke Thomas
Cahill Daniel
Canny Margaret
Carney Thomas
Carrig John
Clancy Simon
Clohessy James
Clune Martin
Coady Thomas
Connell John
Connell? Michael
Cooke? Philip
Corry Andrew
Crotty Michael
Cullinan Michael
Cunningham Patrick
Doherty Michael
Donnellan Michael
Donnellan Susan
Downes Martin
Doyle James
Fahy Michael
Flanagan Patrick
Flynn Patrick
Gavin John, Revd., C.C.
Griffin John
Griffin Michael
Griffin Patrick
Griffin Patrick
Haugh Mar?garet
Haugh Michael
Haugh Simon
Hayes Margaret
Healy John
Heaney Martin
Hennessy Andrew
Hennessy Anthony
Holohan Mary
Honan Thomas
Houlihan Martin
Houlihan Patrick
Howard Martin
Howard Thomas
Hurley Catherine
Hurley James
Jones Austin
Joyce Michael
Keane John
Kelly Mary
Killeen Catherine
Kingston John, Revd. P.P.
Kiniry Susan
Kinucane Patrick
Leary Francis
Leary Thomas
Linane Patrick
Loftus? William
Lynch James
Lynch James (?sen.)
Lynch Martin
Lysaght Patrick
Madigan John
Mahony James
Mahony Michael
McClancy James
McDonough Mary A.
McGuire Patrick
McInerney James
McInerney John
McInerney John
McMahon Charles
McMahon Katharina
McMahon Mary
McMahon Thomas
Moloney Thomas
Moroney Thomas
Murphy Ellen
Murray Mary
Neill? John
Nestor Ellen
Nugent Thomas
O’Brien Daniel
O’Brien James
O’Brien John ?T.
O’Connell Daniel
O’Dea Thomas
O’Dwyer Thomas
O’Halloran Patrick
O’Leary? Michael
O’Loughlin Patrick
Pender James
Pender Patrick
Qualey Michael
Reddan? Cornelius
Reidy? Ellen
Robinson Patrick
Ronan Michael
Sheedy Mary
Sheedy Michael
St. John Michael
Sullivan James
Sullivan Mary
Sullivan Michael
Tarnane Peter
Thynne Mary
Treacy Mary
Twomey Daniel
Whyte Martin
Whyte Richard		 Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Ennis road
Ennis road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
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Ennis road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ennis road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Ennis road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
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Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
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Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Chapel/?Church road
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Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
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Ballard Road
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Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
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Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Ballard Road
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Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ennis road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Ennis road
Ennis road
Ennis road
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Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Chapel/?Church road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
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Chapel/?Church road
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Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
Ballard Road
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Chapel/?Church road
Chapel/?Church road
Ennis road
Ennis road
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Census Substitutes, Co. Clare

1641: Book of Survey & Distribution. Irish Manuscripts Commissions, Dublin 1947, also National Library of Ireland Ms 963


1659: Pender’s Census of Ireland

1735: The Debtors of Daniel Croghan, Ennis Co. Clare, 1735. Irish Ancestor, 1974. Vol. IV, No. 1

1745: Voters list. Trinity College Dublin, Ms. 2059

1792: Magistrates in Co. Clare, 1792. Irish Ancestor, 1975. Vol. Vii, No. 1

1801-1817: Some Irish Immigrant weddings in Nova Scotia 1801-1817. Terece M. Punch. Irish Ancestor, 1974. Vol. VI, No. 2

1818-1825: Some Irish Immigrant Weddings in Nova Scotia, 1818-1825. Terence M. Punch. Irish Ancestor, 1975. Vol. VII, No. 1

1819: Magistrates in Co. Clare, 1819. Irish Ancestor, 1976. Vol. VIII, No. 1

1821: Census remains: part of Ennis. National Library of Ireland

1823-1828: Tithe Applotment Books

1826-1830: Some Irish Immigrant Weddings in Nova Scotia, 1826-1830. Terence M. Punch. Irish Ancestor, 1975, Vol. II, No. 2

1829: Co. Clare Freeholders: National Library of Ireland P.5556

1831-1834: Some Irish Immigrant Weddings in Nova Scotia 1831-1834. Terence M. Punch. Irish Ancestor, 1976. Vol. VIII, No. 1

1834-1840: Some Irish Immigrant Weddings in Nova Scotia 1834-1840. Terence M. Punch, Irish Ancestor, 1976. Vol. IIII, No. 2

1837: Marksmen (illiterate voters) in parliamentary boroughs: Ennis. Parliamentary papers 1837, Reports from Committees, Vol. II (i), Appendix A.

1837: Magistrates in Co. Clare, 1837. de Breffny, Brian. Irish Ancestor, 1975, Vol. VII, No. 2

1843: Clare Voters. National Library of Ireland 1843/68

1850: Deaths in Kilrush & Ennistymon Workhouses, hospitals, infirmaries 25th March 1850 – 25th March 1851. Accounts & Papers (Parliamentary Papers) 1851, Vol. 49.

1855:Griffiths Primary Valuation – Search form on askaboutireland website

1866: Kilfenora. National Library of Ireland Pos. 2440

1901 Census

1911 Census – Search form at National Archives, Dublin, Ireland

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Ecology and Batanology, the Burren

Guests to Ireland are recommended to pay a visit and enjoy the history and beauty that County Clare has to offer. Its stunning landscapes, lakes, caves and cliffs make it a popular and picturesque area of the Emerald Isle. It is a region that is famous for its folk music as well as a numerous range of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy.


People staying in Dublin but wanting to drive to the county can hire a car from one of the Dublin Airport car hire companies and travel to the west coast to take in the spectacular scenery.

One of the areas most prevalent attractions is The Burren, a 500 square mile section of karstic limestone. It is situated in the northwest corner of County Clare and is popular with ecologists and botanists thanks to its unique plant life and rock formations.

The ground surface of The Burren is a floor of grey rock which contains long parallel grooves, known as grykes. One of the most stunning natural features of the district sees rainwater seep through the porous rocks to the underground caves and lakes that swell with overflow and appear as full lakes that disappear after the rain.

Visitors can walk the 26 mile ‘Burren Way’ from Ballyvaughn to Liscannor and discover the history of ancient civilization. Along the route people will see a number of stone dolmens, ring forts, crannogs, churches, monasteries and holy wells, with The Burren containing over 60 Stone Age burial monuments and 400 Iron Age ring forts.

Other places of interest around this area include the Alwee Caves, which were discovered in the 1940’s and include caverns, underground waterfalls and formations of stalagmites and stalactites. The remains of brown bears were also discovered in the caves, despite the animals being extinct in Ireland for thousands of years. These caves are open for guided tours.

Those people enjoying The Burren who have a liking for music should visit the small port village of Doolin which is famous for the quality of traditional music that is played during sessions at the three local pubs. A ferry to the Aran Islands can also be boarded from the village.

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Books About Co. Clare

The following are a list of book titles relating to Co. Clare. The topics are varied: history, heritage, geology, language and some tourist guides. Some of these may be easily obtainable, some are rare and out of print. Some are books and some pamphlets.


You can never find a book if you do not have a title to work with, once you have a title then you can search through on-line library catalogues or make an enquiry of your local library as to whether they partake in inter-library loan and if they can obtain a copy of a book for you from some other library. You can watch the item lists of auction houses, or those on inter-net auction sites. You can also contact book-sellers to find if they have a copy of the book should you be interested in purchasing it.

This list is arranged alphabetically by author. For the most part the publisher and year of publication are also included. You can use your browser to search for a particular word or you can read through the list. It is hoped to add to this list of books from time to time.

For these entries the highlighted name is usually the author, then, the name of the book. Followed by the place of publication and sometimes the publisher, then the year of publication.

A History of the Diocese of Killaloe. – [Volume 1]. – Dublin : M.H.Gill &Son Ltd., 1962
Armstrong, John Simpson. – A report of trials under a special commission for the county of Clare, held. – Dublin : Hodges and Smith, 1848

Boyle, Patrick. – Clare nights / by Patrick Boyle. – Dundalk : Starling Publications, 1988
Browne, Kevin J., 1920-. – Eamon de Valera and the Banner County / Kevin J. Browne. – Dublin : Glendale Press, 1982

Cantwell, Brian J.. – Memorials of the dead : west Clare / by Brian J. Cantwell. – Bray : Cantwell, 1991
Clancy, J. Short History of the Parish of Kilanena or Upper Feakle. 1941. National LIbrary of Ireland Ir. 941
Clare : the critical heritage / edited by Mark Storey. – London : Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973. – (The critical heritage series).
Clune, George, 1894-. – Caint an Chlair / An t-athair Seoirse Mac Cluin. – Imleabhar 1. – Baile Átha Cliath : Oifig an tSolathair, 1940. – (Thomas Williams Collection).
Clune, George, 1894-. – Caint an Chlair / An t-athair Seoirse Mac Cluin. – Imleabhar 2. – Baile Átha Cliath : Oifig an tSolathair, 1940. – (Thomas Williams Collection).
Coffey, Thomas. The parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen). Mountshannon, Ballinakella Press. 1993
Craig, Edward Thomas. – An Irish commune : the experiment at Ralahine, County Clare, 1831-1833 / Edw. – Blackrock : Irish

Dwyer, Philip. The Diocese of Killaloe, from the Reformation to the close of the Eighteenth Century. Dublin 1878
Drew, David, 1944-. – Aillwee Cave and the Caves of the Burren. – Dublin : Eason, 1984. – (The Irish heritage series ; 43).
Dwyer, Philip. – A handbook to Lisdoonvarna and its vicinity : giving a detailed account of i. – Ennis : CLASP Press, 1998

Ennis (Ireland), District Council. – Corporation book of Ennis 1660-1810 / edited and introduced by Brian Ó Dála. – Dublin : Irish Academic Press, 1990.
Everett-Green, Evelyn. – Little Lady Clare. – London [etc.] : Blackie & Son, 1888

Fitzgibbon, Elliot. – Earl of Clare : mainspring of the Union / Elliot Fitzgibbon. – London : Research Publishing Co, 1960
Frost, James. The History and topography of Co. Clare from the earliest times to the beginning of the eighteenth century. Dublin 1893

Grattan, Henry, 1746-1820. – An answer to a pamphlet, entitled The speech of the Earl of Clare on the sub. – London : Printed for G.G. and J. Robinson, 1800
Gwynn, A. A History of the diocese of Killaloe. Dublin 1962

Hayes McCoy, G.A. Index to the \’Comossicion Booke of Connaught, 1585\’. Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1945
Hello Clare / editor: Thomas J. Porcell. – Whitegate, Co. Clare : Clare Young Environmentalists, 1990
Hencken, Hugh O\’Neill, 1902-. – Cahercommaun : a stone fort in County Clare / by H. O\’Neill Hencken. – Dublin : The Royal society of antiquaries of Ireland, 1938. – (Extra volume of the Royal

International Society for Ethnology and Folklore, Kommission für Volksdichtung,. – Ballad research : the stranger in ballad narrative and other topics : procee. – Dublin : Folk Music Society

Keightley, S. R., Sir (Samuel R.). – The last recruit of Clare\’s : being passages from the memoirs of Anthony Dil. – New York : Harper and Brothers, 1897.
Kelly, John S. – The Bodyke evictions. – Scariff, Co. Clare, Ireland : Fossabeg Press, 1987

Lee, David, 1948-. – Ralahine land war and the co-operative / David Lee. – Limerick : Bottom Dog, in association with Co-Op Books, 1981
Lloyd, John, fl.1780. – Lloyd\’s tour of Clare, 1780 : (from Henn\’s exact reprint of 1893). – Whitegate, Co. Clare : Ballinakella, 1986
Lloyd, John, of Tureen. – A short tour in the county Clare 1780 / John Lloyd ; an exact reprint edited. – Cambridge : Printed by Jonathan Palmer, 1893

Mac Mathúna, S. Kilfarboy: a history of a west Clare parish. S. Mac Mathúna, Miltown Malbay 1976
Massy, Charles, Rev. – A report of the trial on an action for damages, brought by the Reverend Char. – New York : Printed for and sold by B. Dornin, and P. Byrne, Philadelphia, 1804
McAuliffe, E.J. Notes on the parishes of Kilmurry, McMahon and Killofin, Co. Clare and Tombstone inscriptions from Kilrush. Dublin, 1989.
Murphy, Ignatius. – The diocese of Killaloe in the eighteenth century / Ignatius Murphy. – Dublin, Ireland : Four Courts Press, 1991
Murphy, Ignatius. – Before the famine struck : life in west Clare, 1834-1845 / Ignatius Murphy. – Blackrock, Co. Dublin : Irish Academic Press, 1996
Murphy, Ignatius. – A starving people : life and death in west Clare, 1845-1851 / Ignatius Murph. – Blackrock, Co. Dublin : Irish Academic Press, 1996

Ó Drisceoil, Donnchadh. – Aistí ó Chléire / Donnchadh Ó Drisceoil / Tomás De Bhaldraithe a chuir in e. – Baile Átha Cliath : An Clóchomhar, 1987
O\’Gorman, Michael. – A pride of paper tigers : a history of the great hunger in the Scariff Workhouse – Tuamgraney, Co. Clare : East Clare Heritage, 1994
O\’Sullivan, Aidan. – An early historic period fishwier on the Fergus Estuary, Co. Clare
Academic, 1983. – (Cooperative studies ; 4).

Ryan, Meda. – Biddy Early / Meda Ryan. – Dublin : Mercier Press, 1978

University of Bristol, Spelaeological Society. – The caves of North-West Clare, Ireland. – Newton Abbot : David & Charles, 1969.

Westropp, T. J.. – Archaeology of the Burren : prehistoric forts and dolmens in North Clare / T. – Ennis : CLASP Press, 1999.
Westropp, T. J.. – Augustinian houses of County Clare / by Thomas J Westropp. – Dublin : Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1901
White, Rev. P. History of Clare and the Dalcassian Clans of Tipperary, Limerick & Galway. Dublin, 1893
Whilde, Tony. – Pocket guide to the Cliffs of Moher. – Belfast : Appletree, 1987. – (An Appletree pocket book).

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Presbyterian (Seceders) Synod, 1833: Congregation Index

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