town information around bunratty shannon

A village on the N18 road to Ennis, some 10 km north of the airport. A doubtful local tradition ascribes the name to a land-owning racing enthusiast of the last century (an O'Brien, they say), whose heart was in the racing stables of Newmarket. But the truth is probably less imaginative. The town is a small market and trading centre, serving, to a growing extent, as a dormitory suburb of Ennis and Shannon....

The older village was extended about 1700 following introduction of industries (including iron-works) in the area. The new streets commemorated the Hanoverian succession - Orange, George, Hanover and Frederick. The village, well laid out with river and bridge, makes a pleasant picture....

The country around the village of Quin has many archaeological remains, the most notable being the Franciscan friary (remains). The first building that we know of on this site was a church, and then on the site de Clare built a castle in 1280 A.D. This was attacked and destroyed by the native Irish, and the present church was built on the site (c.1350 A.D.), incorporating some parts of the castle ruins. One of the MacNamara's, the local ruling family, brought the Franciscans to Quin c.1433 A....

A small village on the road to Limerick. Cratloe gets its name from the Irish for land of the Sally trees.

From Woodcock Hill behind it there are extensive views of the Shannon and Fergus estuaries and Shannon town and airport.

There are good forest walks. The Cratloe Woods, originally primeval oak woods now constitute a State forest, on the slopes of Woodcock Hill. They contain many interesting trees. It is said that Cratloe supplied the oak beams for the roof of Westminis...