Clare (county)

I

Introduction

Clare (county), county in the west of the province of Munster, Republic of Ireland, bounded by Galway to the north, Tipperary to the east, Limerick and Kerry to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Lough Derg, the largest lake on the River Shannon, forms part of the county’s eastern boundary and to the north Galway Bay forms part of the natural border. It has a land area of 3,188 sq km (1,231 sq mi). The Atlantic buffets a wild shoreline of high dramatic cliffs such as those at Moher, 203 m (660 ft) high, renowned for their sea birds. There is only one safe anchorage, at Liscannor. Inland there are numerous loughs and marshes.

II

Land and resources

The Burren is the name given to a craggy 518 sq km (200 sq mi) limestone plateau in the north of Clare, stretching out to the Aran Islands and parts of Galway. It is renowned for its wildlife of rare butterflies, moths, and flowers. On the south-eastern edge of the Burren is the Burren National Park, one of five national parks in Ireland, established in 1991 and managed by Dúchas (the heritage service for the Republic of Ireland). North and east of the Shannon it is hilly. Around the Shannon there is pasturage and cultivated land. At Lisdoonvarna there are sulphur and chalybeate springs. The River Fergus is the principal river in Clare, flowing southwards through the lowlands of the county.

Clare has a mild climate. The average annual temperature in January is 6° C (43° F) and in July 15° C (59° F). Rain falls on more than 170 days in the year so summers tend to be rainy. The average annual rainfall is 1,000 mm to 1,200 mm (39 in to 47 in) on low ground, more on the higher ground.

III

Population and Administration

Clare has an estimated population of 90,918 (1991). Ninety-six per cent of the population is Roman Catholic. Most (65 per cent) of the people live in rural areas.

Though most people speak English (the official second language) others also speak Irish (see Celtic Languages). After Galway, Clare has the second highest number of Irish speakers—an estimated 46 per cent of the population (1996).

Ennis is the seat of administration for the county; there are town councils (formerly urban district councils) at Ennis, Kilkee, Kilrush, and Shannon. Other important towns include Ennistymon, Killaloe, and Miltown Malbay.

IV

Education and Culture

The National University of Ireland (NUI) has a campus at Ennis. Shannon College of Hotel Management (founded in 1951) has an international reputation as being Ireland’s leading training institution for the hospitality industry. Burren College of Art offers higher education courses in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography.

The Ennis Traditional Festival, held in November, is an annual week-long celebration of traditional Irish music, Irish dancing, and ceilidh. The county is home to one of Ireland’s oldest and largest festivals, the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. Traditionally, farmers came to the spa town of Lisdoonvarna in search of a wife and were paired up with an eligible partner by the town’s matchmakers. Throughout the month of September, dances are held and although only two official matchmakers remain in the town, the festival continues to attract thousands of visitors.