Editing County Clare

{{Short description|County in Ireland}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name              = County Clare
| native_name       = {{lang|ga|Contae an Chláir}}
| settlement_type   = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| native_name_lang  = ga
| image_shield      = County Clare Coat of Arms.png
| shield_size       = 150px
| image_flag        = 
| nickname          = The Banner County
| motto             = {{langx|ga|Dílis d'ár nOidreacht}}<br />"True to our heritage"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lonergan |first1=Aidan |title=All 32 Irish county coat of arms, what they mean and where they come from |url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/all-32-irish-county-coat-of-arms-and-where-they-come-from-115697 |website=The Irish Post |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412204329/https://www.irishpost.com/news/all-32-irish-county-coat-of-arms-and-where-they-come-from-115697 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clare History: What is Clare County Council's Coat of Arms? |url=http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/faqs/council_crest.htm |website=www.clarelibrary.ie |publisher=Clare County Library |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009130510/http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/faqs/council_crest.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| image_map         = {{#property:P242}}
| area_total_km2    = 3450
| area_rank         = [[List of Irish counties by area|7th]]
| seat_type         = [[County town]]
| seat              = [[Ennis]]
| blank_name_sec1   = [[Vehicle registration plates of Ireland|Vehicle index<br />mark code]]
| blank_info_sec1   = {{#property:p395}}
| population        = 127,938
| population_rank   = [[List of Irish counties by population|19th]]
| population_as_of  = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=cso2016>{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2022/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE1962914A213A3E055000000000001 | title = Census 2016 Sapmap Area: County Clare | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] | access-date = 26 October 2018 | archive-date = 27 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061557/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE1962914A213A3E055000000000001 | url-status = live }}</ref>
| subdivision_type  = [[Sovereign state|Country]]
| subdivision_name  = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Munster]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of Ireland|Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern]]
| leader_title      = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]]
| leader_name       = [[Clare County Council]]
| leader_title2     = [[Dáil constituency]]
| leader_name2      = [[Clare (Dáil constituency)|Clare]]
| leader_title3     = [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|EP constituency]]
| leader_name3      = [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]]
| website           = {{official website}}
| timezone          = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset        = ±0
| timezone_DST      = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST    = +1
| established_title = Established
| established_date  = 1565<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/countclr.htm|title=County Clare – An Introduction|website=www.clarelibrary.ie|access-date=21 June 2019|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621224610/http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/countclr.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_code_type    = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area codes]]
| area_code         = 061, 065 <small>(primarily)</small>
| postal_code_type  = [[Eircode]] routing keys
| postal_code       = H62, H91, V14, V15, V94, V95 
| elevation_max_m   = 532
| elevation_max_point     =[[Moylussa]]
| module            = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=7}}
| iso_code          = IE-CE
}}
'''County Clare''' ({{langx|ga|Contae an Chláir}}) is a [[Counties of Ireland|county]] in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Munster]] in the  [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern part]] of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. [[Clare County Council]] is the [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|local authority]]. The county had a population of 127,938 at the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]].<ref name=cso2022>{{cite web |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1013 |title=Census 2022 Profile 1 - Population Distribution and Movement |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2022 |access-date=30 June 2023 }}</ref> The county seat and largest settlement is [[Ennis]].

==Etymology==
{{See also|Etymological list of counties of Ireland}}
There are two main hypotheses for the origins of the county name "Clare". One is that the name is derived from [[Thomas de Clare, Lord of Thomond|Thomas de Clare]]<ref>"Lorna Moloney. From Gaelic lordship to English shire – SoundCloud." 14 Sep. 2016, https://soundcloud.com/history-hub/lorna-moloney-gaelic-lordship-to-english-shire-macnamaras-of-clare {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212091210/https://soundcloud.com/history-hub/lorna-moloney-gaelic-lordship-to-english-shire-macnamaras-of-clare |date=12 February 2017 }}. Accessed 11 February 2017.</ref> an Anglo-Norman peer and soldier from the [[de Clare]] family, who was deeply embroiled in local politics and fighting in the 1270s and 1280 and had had acquired land in Kilkenny and Thomond that included the Castle of Clare. In 1590 County Clare was named after the castle, which is in a strategic location. An alternative hypothesis is that the county name ''Clare'' comes from the settlement of Clare (now [[Clarecastle]]), whose Irish name {{lang|ga|Clár}} (plank bridge) refers to a crossing over the [[River Fergus]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Briggs |first=Keith |year=2009 |title=Clare, Clere, and Clères |journal=Journal of the English Place-name Society |issue=41 |page=14 |url=http://ww.keithbriggs.info/documents/clare_03.pdf#page=14 |access-date=4 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100620/http://ww.keithbriggs.info/documents/clare_03.pdf#page=14 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Clare.html |title=Origin of the name "Clare" |publisher=Irishcultureandcustoms.com |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120194110/http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Clare.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.from-ireland.net/county/article/Emigration-%26-Education-Statistics,-1931,-Co.-Clare/Clare |title=Thom's Directory, 1931 |publisher=From-ireland.net |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402130240/http://www.from-ireland.net/county/article/Emigration-%26-Education-Statistics%2C-1931%2C-Co.-Clare/Clare |url-status=live }}</ref> 

==Geography and subdivisions==
Clare is north-west of the [[River Shannon]] covering a total area of {{convert|3450|km2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/publications/corporate-plan-2019-2024-36095.pdf|title=Clare County Council Corporate Plan 2019–2024|website=Clare County Council|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905141951/https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/publications/corporate-plan-2019-2024-36095.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Clare is the seventh largest of Ireland's 32 traditional counties in area and the 19th largest in terms of population. It is bordered by two counties in Munster and one county in Connacht: [[County Limerick]] to the south, [[County Tipperary]] to the east, and [[County Galway]] to the north. Clare's nickname is ''the Banner County''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Clare.html |title=Clare, The Banner County – World Cultures European |publisher=Irishcultureandcustoms.com |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120194110/http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Clare.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Baronies, parishes and townlands===
[[File:Baronies of Clare.jpg|thumb|Baronies of Clare]]
The county is divided into the [[Barony (Ireland)|baronies]] of [[Bunratty Lower]], [[Bunratty Upper]], [[Barony of Burren|Burren]], [[Clonderalaw]], [[Barony of Corcomroe|Corcomroe]], [[Ibrickan]], [[Inchiquin]], [[Barony of Islands|Islands]], [[Barony of Moyarta|Moyarta]], [[Tulla Lower]] and [[Tulla Upper]]. These in turn are divided into [[List of civil parishes of County Clare|civil parishes]], which are divided into [[townland]]s. These divisions are [[cadastre|cadastral]], defining land boundaries and ownership, rather than administrative.

===Towns and villages===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Ardnacrusha]]
* [[Ballynacally]]
* [[Ballyvaughan]]
* [[Barefield]]
* [[Boston, County Clare|Boston]]
* [[Bridgetown, County Clare|Bridgetown]]
* [[Broadford, County Clare|Broadford]]
* [[Bunratty]]
* [[Carrigaholt]]
* [[Carran|Carron]]
* [[Clarecastle]]
* [[Clonlara]]
* [[Connolly, County Clare|Connolly]]
* [[Coolmeen, County Clare|Coolmeen]]
* [[Cooraclare]]
* [[Corofin, County Clare|Corofin]]
* [[Cranny]]
* [[Cratloe]]
* [[Cree, County Clare|Cree (Creegh)]]
* [[Cross, County Clare|Cross]]
* [[Crusheen]]
* [[Doolin]]
* [[Doonaha]]
* [[Doonbeg]]
* [[Ennis]]
* [[Ennistymon]]
* [[Fanore]]
* [[Feakle]]
* [[Inagh]]
* [[Inch, County Clare|Inch]]
* [[Kilbaha]]
* [[Kilfenora]]
* [[Kilkee]]
* [[Kilkishen]]
* [[Kildysart]]
* [[Killaloe, County Clare|Killaloe]]
* [[Killimer]]
* [[Kilmaley]]
* [[Kilmihil]]
* [[Kilmurry McMahon]]
* [[Kilnaboy]]
* [[Kilnamona]]
* [[Kilrush]]
* [[Labasheeda]]
* [[Lahinch]]
* [[Liscannor]]
* [[Lisdoonvarna]]
* [[Lissycasey]]
* [[Meelick, County Clare|Meelick]]
* [[Milltown Malbay]]
* [[Mountshannon]]
* [[Mullagh, County Clare|Mullagh]]
* [[Newmarket-on-Fergus]]
* [[O'Brien's Bridge]]
* [[O'Callaghan's Mills]]
* [[Ogonnelloe]]
* [[Parteen]]
* [[Quilty, County Clare|Quilty]]
* [[Quin, County Clare|Quin]]
* [[Ruan, County Clare|Ruan]]
* [[Scariff]]
* [[Shannon, County Clare|Shannon]]
* [[Sixmilebridge]]
* [[Toonagh, County Clare|Toonagh]]
* [[Tuamgraney]]
* [[Tubber, County Clare|Tubber]]
* [[Tulla]]
* [[Whitegate, County Clare|Whitegate]]
{{Div col end}}

===Physical geography===
[[File:Cliffs of Moher, Ireland (8577753321).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Cliffs of Moher]]]]
Bodies of water define much of the physical boundaries of Clare. To the south-east is the [[River Shannon]], Ireland's longest river, and to the south is the [[Shannon Estuary]]. The border to the north-east is defined by [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]] which is the third-largest lake in Ireland. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the north is [[Galway Bay]]. [[Loop Head]] (Irish: Ceann Léime, meaning 'leap head') is the county's westernmost point of land.

County Clare contains [[The Burren]], a unique [[karst]] region, which contains rare flowers and fauna. At the western edge of The Burren, facing the Atlantic Ocean, are the [[Cliffs of Moher]]. The highest point in County Clare is [[Moylussa]], {{cvt|532|m}}, in the [[Slieve Bernagh]]{{efn|Not related to the [[Slieve Bearnagh]] mountain in County Down.}} range in the east of the county.

The following islands lie off the coast of the county:
* [[Aughinish, County Clare|Aughinish]]
* [[Inishmore (or Deer) Island]]
* [[Inishloe]]
* [[Mutton Island]]
* [[Scattery Island]]

==History==
[[File:Poulnabrone dolmen-SteveFE.jpg|thumb|left|[[Poulnabrone dolmen]] in [[The Burren]]]]
County Clare hosts the oldest-known evidence of human activity in Ireland. The patella of a bear, which was subject to butchering close to the time of death, was found in the [[Alice and Gwendoline Cave]], near Edenvale House, [[Clarecastle]]. The bone features a number of linear-cut marks, and has been dated to circa 10,500 BC, from the [[Paleolithic]] era. This discovery, publicized in 2017, pushed back Ireland's occupation by 2,500 years—what was previously regarded as the oldest site of occupation was the [[Mesolithic]] site of [[Mount Sandel Mesolithic site|Mount Sandel]], [[County Londonderry]]. This bear bone was discovered in 1903 during an archaeological excavation but was not studied until over a century later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/bear-bone-discovery-pushes-back-date-of-human-existence-in-ireland-by-2500-years-34556770.html|title=Bear bone discovery pushes back date of human existence in Ireland by 2,500 years|website=Independent.ie|date=20 March 2016 |access-date=31 December 2017|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231212608/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/bear-bone-discovery-pushes-back-date-of-human-existence-in-ireland-by-2500-years-34556770.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

There was a [[Neolithic]] civilization in the Clare area—the name of the peoples is unknown, but the [[Bronze Age Europe|Prehistoric]] peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient [[dolmen]]: single-chamber [[megalithic tomb]]s, usually consisting of three or more [[megalith|upright stones]]. Clare is one of the richest places in Ireland for these tombs. The most noted one is in [[The Burren]] area; it is known as ''[[Poulnabrone dolmen]]'', which translates to "hole of sorrows".<ref name="clareneolithic">{{cite web |title=Neolithic Sites in Ireland |url=http://www.myguideireland.com/neolithic-sites-in-ireland |publisher=MyGuideIreland.com |access-date=4 October 2008 |archive-date=7 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007060753/http://www.myguideireland.com/neolithic-sites-in-ireland |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 2 October 2008.</ref> The remains of the people inside the tomb have been excavated and dated to 3800 BC.<ref name="clareneolithic"/>

[[Ptolemy]] created a map of Ireland in his ''[[Geographia]]'' with information dating from 100 AD; it is the oldest written account of the island that includes geographical features.<ref>Ptolemy's map of Ireland: a modern decoding</ref> Within his map, Ptolemy names the [[Celtic tribes|Gaelic tribes]] inhabiting it and the areas in which they resided; in the area of Clare, he identified a tribe known as the ''Gangani''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Arrival of the Celts |url=http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html |publisher=WesleyJohnston.com |access-date=4 October 2008 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112140107/http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 2 October 2008.</ref> Historians have found the tribes on the west of Ireland the most difficult to identify with known peoples; however, historians [[William Camden]] and [[Charles O'Conor (historian)|Charles O'Conor]] speculated a possible connection between the Gangani and the ''Concani'',<ref>O'Laughlin, ''The Families of County Clare, Ireland'', 7.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Before there were Counties |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/irehstry.htm |publisher=RootsWeb.com |access-date=4 October 2008 |archive-date=20 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920044057/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/irehstry.htm |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 2 October 2008.</ref><ref>[[Annals of the Four Masters|Four Masters]], ''"The Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters" as translated by Owen Connellan.'', 393.</ref> one of the eleven tribes in the confederacy of the [[Cantabri]] in the northern part of the [[Iberian Peninsula]].<ref>Anthon, ''A Classical Dictionary'', 368.</ref>

[[File:Tau Cross, Roughan Hill, Corofin, County Clare, Ireland.jpg|thumb|The [[Cross of Tau|Tau Cross]] at Roughan Hill near [[Corofin, County Clare|Corofin]], County Clare, Ireland]]
During the [[Early Middle Ages]], the area was part of the [[Connacht|Kingdom of Connacht]] ruled by the [[Uí Fiachrach Aidhne]]. In the Middle Ages, it was annexed to the [[Kingdom of Munster]] to be settled by the [[Dalcassians]]. It was renamed Thomond, meaning North Munster. [[Brian Boru]] became a leader from here during this period, perhaps the most noted [[High King of Ireland]].

From 1118 onwards the [[Kingdom of Thomond]] was in place as its own petty kingdom, ruled by the [[O'Brien clan]]. After the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]], [[Thomas de Clare, Lord of Thomond|Thomas de Clare]], established the short-lived Norman lordship of Thomond. His son [[Richard de Clare, Steward of Forest of Essex | Richard de Clare]] was killed at the [[Battle of Dysert O'Dea]] in 1318 during [[Bruce campaign in Ireland|Edward Bruce's invasion]].

===English colonization===
[[File:1794 Rocque Wall Map of Ireland - Geographicus - Ireland2-rocque-1794.jpg|thumb|1794 map of Ireland, with County Clare coloured as neither part of [[Connacht]] nor [[Munster]]]]
In 1543, during the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland]], [[Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond|Murrough O'Brien]], by [[surrender and regrant]] to [[Henry VIII]], became [[Earl of Thomond]] within Henry's [[Kingdom of Ireland]]. [[Henry Sidney]] as [[Lord Deputy of Ireland]] responded to the [[Desmond Rebellion]] by creating the [[Lord President of Connaught|presidency of Connaught]] in 1569 and [[Lord President of Munster|presidency of Munster]] in 1570. He transferred Thomond from Munster to Connaught, which he [[shire]]d, Thomond becoming County Clare.

About 1600, Clare was removed from the presidency of Connaught and made a presidency in its own right under the Earl of Thomond. When [[Henry O'Brien, 5th Earl of Thomond]] died in 1639, Lord Deputy [[Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford]] decreed Clare should return to the presidency of Munster, but the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]] delayed this until [[Restoration (England)|the Restoration]] of 1660.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Falkiner |first=Caesar Litton |title=The Counties of Ireland: An Historical Sketch of Their Origin, Constitution, and Gradual Delimitation (1902–1904) |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section C |volume=24 |pages=184–5 |jstor=25502712 |author-link=Caesar Litton Falkiner|year=1902 }}</ref>

Clare's [[List of Irish county nicknames|county nickname]] is the ''Banner County'', for which various origins have been suggested: the banners captured by [[Clare's Dragoons]] at the [[Battle of Ramillies]]; or the banner of [[Catholic emancipation]] raised by [[Daniel O'Connell]]'s victory in an [[1828 Clare by-election|1828 by-election for County Clare]] that led to Parliament passing the [[Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829]].<ref name="Spellissy2003">{{cite book |last=Spellissy |first=Sean |title=A History of County Clare |date=1 January 2003 |publisher=Gill & Macmillan |isbn=9780717134601 |page=39}}</ref>

[[Scattery Island]], in the [[Mouth of the Shannon]] off the Clare coast, was transferred to [[Limerick Corporation]] and the [[county of the city]] of Limerick after the [[dissolution of the monasteries]] in the mid-16th century. It was assigned to County Clare after the [[Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840]]. Under the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]], part of the judicial county of Galway (Drummaan, Inishcaltra North and Mountshannon electoral divisions) was transferred to county Clare. This area contains the village of [[Mountshannon]] on the north-western shore of [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]].

==Governance and politics==
{{Update|section|date=January 2022}}

===Local government===
{{Main|Clare County Council}}
The local authority for the county is [[Clare County Council]].

[[Fianna Fáil]] lost its overall majority on the council in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2004/0615/1086274489602.html |title='A very bad performance' -Ahern |author=Mark Hennessy and Michael O'Regan |date=15 June 2004 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=20 February 2008 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011101255/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2004/0615/1086274489602.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of the [[2019 Clare County Council election|2009 local election]], Fianna Fáil is the largest party, with 13 of the 28 seats.

The county seat is at Ennis, which also serves as a major regional hub for County Clare. Among its emergency services, it contains the [[Ennis Hospital]], the HQ of the Clare Divisional Garda, the Clare Fire Brigade and Civil Defence.

The council has two representatives on the [[Southern Regional Assembly]], where it is part of the [[Mid-West Region, Ireland|Mid-West]] strategic planning area.<ref>{{Cite Irish legislation|year=2014|type=si|number=573|name=Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014|date=16 December 2014|access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref>

===Former districts===
Prior to 2014, there were four [[Town council (Ireland)|town councils]] in Clare: [[Ennis]], [[Kilrush]], [[Kilkee]] and [[Shannon, County Clare|Shannon]]. All town councils in Ireland were abolished under the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]].<ref>{{cite Irish legislation|name=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|year=2014|section=24|stitle=Dissolution of town councils and transfer date|number=1|date=27 January 2014|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

===National politics===
Since 1921, County Clare has been represented in [[Dáil Éireann]] by the constituency of [[Clare (Dáil constituency)|Clare]], which currently has four [[Teachta Dála|Teachtaí Dála]] (TDs). Since 2020, the whole of the county has been in the constituency.<ref name=ea_2017>{{cite Irish legislation|name=[[Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017]]|year=2017| schedule=y|number=39|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> At various times, portions of County Clare have been in other constituencies: [[Clare–South Galway (Dáil constituency)|Clare–South Galway]] (1969–77), [[Galway West (Dáil constituency)|Galway West]] (1977–81), [[Limerick East (Dáil constituency)|Limerick East]] (1992–2011) and [[Limerick City (Dáil constituency)|Limerick City]] (2011–20).

The constituency was historically a [[Fianna Fáil]] stronghold. Prominent former TDs for Clare include [[Éamon de Valera]], who became [[Taoiseach]] and [[President of Ireland|President]] and former president [[Patrick Hillery]].

It is part of the [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|European Parliament constituency]] of [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] (5 seats).<ref>{{cite Irish legislation|year=2019|number=7|section=7|stitle=Substitution of Third Schedule to Principal Act|name=European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2019|date=12 March 2019|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

==Demography==
{{Historical populations|state=collapsed
|1600|8776
|1610|12554
|1659|16914
|1821|208089
|1831|258322
|1841|286394
|1851|212440
|1861|166305
|1871|147864
|1881|141457
|1891|124483
|1901|112334
|1911|104232
|1926|95064
|1936|89879
|1946|85064
|1951|81329
|1956|77176
|1961|73702
|1966|73597
|1971|75008
|1979|84919
|1981|87567
|1986|91344
|1991|90918
|1996|94006
|2002|103277
|2006|110950
|2011|117196
|2016|118817
|2022|127419
| footnote =<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census for post 1821 figures, 1653 and 1659 figures from Civil Survey Census of those years, Paper of Mr Hardinge to Royal Irish Academy 14 March 1865] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309005718/http://www.cso.ie/census/ |date=9 March 2005 }}, For a discussion on the accuracy of [[Great Famine (Ireland)|pre-famine]] census returns, see [[J. J. Lee (historian)|J. J. Lee]] "On the accuracy of the pre-famine Irish censuses", in ''Irish Population, Economy and Society'', edited by JM Goldstrom and LA Clarkson (1981) p54, and also "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850" by Joel Mokyr and [[Cormac Ó Gráda]], in ''The Economic History Review,'' New Series, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Nov. 1984), pp. 473–488.</ref><ref name=cso2016/>
}}
The population of Clare was 127,419 people at the 2022 census.<ref name=cso2016/> The main urban areas are [[Ennis]] with a population of 27,923 and [[Shannon, County Clare|Shannon]] with 10,256.

The demographic profile for Clare in general is fairly young: 22% are under age 14, while 12% are over 65, compared to the national average of 20% and 11%, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=73676 |title=Persons, males and females in each Province, County and City classified by age group, 2006 |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725015157/http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=73676 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is a slightly higher percentage of males with 50.5%, while females number 49.5%.<ref name="census2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popofeachprovcountycity2006.htm |title=Population of each Province, County and City, 2006 |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114131049/http://www.cso.ie//statistics/popofeachprovcountycity2006.htm |archive-date=14 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Update inline|reason=Paragraph now refers to outdated census info|date=October 2018}}

English is the main language spoken in Clare. The vast majority of the population are [[Irish people]], accounting for 86%. Most immigrants are Europeans, totalling an additional 7,520; there is also a small African minority of 1,124 people, while other ethnic groups are very small in number.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5780 |title=Persons, males and females usually resident in each Province and County, and present in the State on Census Night, classified by ethnic or cultural background, 2006 |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725015204/http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5780 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Update inline|reason=Paragraph now refers to outdated census info|date=October 2018}}

In addition, Clare had a large [[Irish diaspora|diaspora]] due to vast emigration during the 19th century. There are millions of people around the world who can trace their family background to Clare; such descendants are found mostly in North America, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.<ref name="gene">{{cite web |url=http://www.clareroots.com |title=Clare Diaspora |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Clare Heritage & Genealogical Research Centre |archive-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230082311/http://www.clareroots.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people from the Irish diaspora visit the Clare area to trace their family roots and background.<ref name="gene"/>

Most of the names in Clare are derived from sept members of the [[Dalcassian]] race of [[Gaels]] or septs of Thomond. Some of the most common examples are [[O'Brien dynasty|O'Brien]], [[MacGorman|O'Gorman]], [[O'Dea]], [[McMahon (surname)|McMahon]], [[McInerney]], [[McNamara]], [[McGarry (disambiguation)|McGarry]], [[Moloney (surname)|Moloney]], [[O'Grady (surname)|O'Grady]], [[Hogan (surname)|Hogan]], [[Considine]], [[Griffin (surname)|Griffey/Griffin]] and [[Lynch (surname)|Lynch]].<ref name="gene"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dalcassiansept.com/pedigrees/dalcassian.htm |publisher=DalcassianSeptembercom |title=Dál gCais or The Dalcassians of Thomond |access-date=12 November 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908092013/http://www.dalcassiansept.com/pedigrees/dalcassian.htm |archive-date=8 September 2010}}</ref> Names of assimilated [[Normans|Norman]] origin include [[Burke]], [[Dalton (surname)|Dalton]], and [[Clan Cumming|Comyn]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.family-crests.com/family-crest-coat-of-arms/last-names/norman-surnames-of-ireland.html |title=Norman and Cambro-Norman Surnames of Ireland |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Family-Crests.com |archive-date=12 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112191516/https://www.family-crests.com/family-crest-coat-of-arms/last-names/norman-surnames-of-ireland.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Religion==
[[File:Corcomroe Abbey.jpg|left|thumb|[[Corcomroe Abbey]]]]
The great majority of the population follow [[Christianity]]; at least 92% of the people in the area polled as part of the [[Irish population analysis|Ireland Census 2006]] identified as Christians.<ref name="censustoosixreligion">{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/census/census2006_volume_13.htm |title=Census 2006 – Volume 13 – Religion |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |archive-date=15 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915024844/http://www.cso.ie/census/census2006_volume_13.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> There are numerous [[List of monastic houses in Ireland#County Clare|abbeys and priories]] in Clare. Some of the ruins of such structures, such as [[Scattery Island Cathedral and Monastery|Scattery Island]], Bishop's Island, and Drumcliff monasteries, are ancient, dating to the sixth century when Christianity was first introduced to Ireland. The former was founded by [[Saint Senan]], who was born locally near Kilrush in 488 and is counted amongst the [[Twelve Apostles of Ireland]].<ref name="Flood">{{Cite journal |last=Gratton-Flood |first=W.H. |title=The Twelve Apostles of Erin |journal=The Catholic Encyclopedia |volume=I |location=New York |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |date=1 March 1907 |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm |access-date=9 February 2008 |archive-date=7 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407082636/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Numerous [[List of saints of Ireland|other saints]] came from Clare, such as [[Saint Flannan|Flannan]], Mochulleus, [[Saint Molua|Moula]], Caimin, [[Maccreiche]], [[Munchin]] and more.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/folklore/folk_tales/chapter5.htm |title=County Clare Folk-Tales and Myths: Early Christian Period |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=ClareLibrary.ie |archive-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608164713/http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/folklore/folk_tales/chapter5.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the present day, the [[Catholic Church]] still commands a large majority, with 88% of the populace declaring themselves as followers of the religion. This percentage is slightly higher than [[Religion in the Republic of Ireland|the national average]].<ref name="censustoosixreligion"/>

[[File:Diocese of Killaloe.png|thumb|Killaloe Diocese]]
Most of Clare falls under the Catholic [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe|Diocese of Killaloe]], which is part of the ecclesiastical province of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly|Cashel and Emly]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.killaloediocese.ie/HISTORY.htm |title=History of the Killaloe Diocese |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Killaloe Diocese |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211192857/http://www.killaloediocese.ie/HISTORY.htm |archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> The Bishop of Killaloe is seated at the [[St Peter and St Paul Cathedral, Ennis|St Peter and Paul Cathedral]] in Ennis. A small portion of the north-western part of Clare falls under the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora|Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.galwaydiocese.ie/ |title=Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=GalwayDiocese.ie |archive-date=4 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204055440/http://www.galwaydiocese.ie/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

As part of the local council's architectural conservation project, around eighty Christian churches have been designated as protected structures. Among the more notable structures are the ruins of [[Corcomroe Abbey]], [[Quin Abbey]] and [[Dysert O'Dea Monastery]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarecoco.ie/planning/cons_rps_churches.html |title=Record of Protected Structures in Co. Clare – Churches |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=County Clare Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119065348/http://www.clarecoco.ie/Planning/cons_rps_churches.html |archive-date=19 November 2007}}</ref>

The largest religious minority is the [[Church of Ireland]], which is part of the [[Anglican Communion]]. It has just under 2,000 adherents<ref name="censustoosixreligion"/> in Clare. The county is part of the [[Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe|Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe]], one of the three cathedrals of the diocese being St Flannan's Cathedral in Killaloe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cathedral.killaloe.anglican.org/ |title=St Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=Cathedral.Killaloe.Anglican.org |archive-date=13 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813060043/http://cathedral.killaloe.anglican.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other religious communities in Clare are very small in comparison. In 2016, about 11% of the population reported no religion. Up from 5% in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp8iter/p8iter/p8rrc/|title=Census of Population 2016 – Profile 8 Irish Travellers, Ethnicity and Religion}}</ref>

==Places of interest==
{{See also|List of National Monuments in County Clare}}

Places of interest include:

*[[Cliffs of Moher]]
*[[Doolin]]
*[[Inis Cealtra]] (Holy Island) in Lough Derg
*[[Kilbaha]]
*[[Kilkee]]
*[[Loop Head]]
*[[Scattery Island]]
*[[Spanish Point, County Clare|Spanish Point]]
*[[The Burren]]
*[[Bunratty Castle]]

==Gaeltacht==
West Clare and some pockets in East Clare were recognised as part of the [[Gaeltacht]], or Irish-speaking area, by the [[Irish Free State]] government in the original ''[[Coimisiún na Gaeltachta]]'' in 1926. The most prominent of these areas with native [[Irish language]] speakers were west of [[Ennis]] in [[Kilmihil]], [[Kilrush]], [[Doonbeg]], [[Doolin]], [[Ennistimon]], [[Carrigaholt]], [[Lisdoonvarna]] and [[Ballyvaughan]]. 

The last remaining native speaker in Stonehall, next to [[Shannon, County Clare|Shannon]], was alive in the 1930s; in the 1870s, the region had been entirely Irish speaking.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gliasáin |first=Justin Ó |date=2023-01-03 |title=Ireland's language shift: when Irish speakers switched to English |url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0103/1342716-irelands-language-shift-when-irish-speakers-switched-to-english/ |language=en}}</ref>

By the time of the second ''Coimisiún na Gaeltachta'' in 1956, the decline in the number of Gaelic speakers had been such that West Clare was removed from the list. It remained covered by the Gaeltacht (Housing) Acts until 2001.

Close geographic proximity to the [[Aran Islands]] (which were once part of [[Thomond]]) and local trade with fishermen from there meant that the language was used by residents of [[Fanore]], [[Murroogh]], [[Doolin]] and [[Quilty, County Clare|Quilty]] more than in other places. The last native Clare Irish speaker, the ''[[seanchaí]]'' Paddy Pháraic Mhíchíl Ó Sionáin (Shannon) of Fisherstreet, Doolin, died in the early 1990s.

In the early 21st century, the pressure group ''Coiste Forbartha Gaeltachta Chontae an Chláir'' sought to restore the official status of West Clare as a Gaeltacht area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gaelport.com/default.aspx?treeid=37&NewsItemID=7465|publisher=Gaelport|title=Public Meeting on Clare Gaeltacht revival|date=26 January 2015|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822052934/http://www.gaelport.com/default.aspx?treeid=37&NewsItemID=7465|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gaelport.com/default.aspx?treeid=37&NewsItemID=1640|publisher=Gaelport|title=The Clare Gaeltacht: 'Where we have come from and where we are going'|date=26 January 2015|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822034510/http://www.gaelport.com/default.aspx?treeid=37&NewsItemID=1640|url-status=live}}</ref> They are encouraging immersion classes to revive use of the language.

==Music==
{{See also|List of traditional musicians from County Clare}}
County Clare has a strong history of Traditional music. It is the home of the [[Kilfenora Céilí Band]], the [[Tulla Céilí Band]], [[Stockton's Wing]], [[Elizabeth Crotty]], [[Sharon Shannon]], [[Noel Hill (musician)|Noel Hill]], [[Peadar O'Loughlin]], [[Martin Hayes (musician)|Martin Hayes]] and legendary tin-whistler [[Micho Russell]]. Ennis in County Clare is also the birthplace of Grammy-nominated singer [[Maura O'Connell]] whose grandmother started a fish market in the town. The county has many traditional music festivals and one of the most well known is the [[Willie Clancy Summer School]], which is held every July in the town of [[Milltown Malbay]] in memory of the renowned [[uilleann]] piper, [[Willie Clancy (musician)|Willie Clancy]].

[[Andy Irvine (musician)|Andy Irvine]] has written two songs celebrating County Clare: one is "West Coast of Clare" (recorded with [[Planxty]] in 1973), in which he mentions [[Spanish Point, County Clare|Spanish Point]] and Milltown Malbay. The other is "My Heart's Tonight in Ireland" (recorded on his solo album ''[[Rain on the Roof (Andy Irvine album)|Rain on the Roof]]'' in 1996, and again on ''[[Changing Trains]]'' in 2005), in which he mentions several towns and villages in County Clare: Milltown Malbay, [[Scariff]], [[Kilrush]], [[Sixmilebridge]], Kilkishen, [[Lahinch]], [[Ennistymon]], [[Liscannor]] and [[Kilkee]], and also makes two references to the music of Willie Clancy:
<blockquote><poem>In the town of Scarriff the sun was shining in the sky
When Willie Clancy played his pipes and the tears welled in my eyes
Many years have passed and gone since the time we had there
But my heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare.
...
Lahinch and Ennistymon, Liscannor and Kilkee
But best of all was Milltown when the music flowed so free
Willie Clancy and the County Clare I'm ever in your debt
For the sights and sounds of yesterday are shining memories yet.</poem></blockquote>

Milltown Malbay is home to Oidhreacht an Chlair, an institute for higher education in all aspects of Irish tradition, history and literature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oac.ie/site/ |title=Oidhreacht an Chláir Teo |publisher=Oac.ie |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=26 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426215727/http://www.oac.ie/site/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sport==
The [[Clare GAA|Clare]] [[hurling]] team has one of the best records of success in the country in recent years with many cups such as the [[Liam MacCarthy Cup]] having been won in 1914, 1995, 1997, 2013, and 2024, and also finalists in 2002. Clare won the Munster Final in football in 1992 beating Kerry. There is a strong [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] (GAA) presence in County Clare with the founder of the GAA, [[Michael Cusack (Gaelic Athletic Association)|Michael Cusack]], having been born in [[Carron, County Clare|Carron]] which is situated in the heart of [[The Burren]] in North Clare. Irish rugby internationals from Clare include Keith Wood, Anthony Foley & Marcus Horan.

==Transport==
[[File:Shannon air, Clare.jpg|thumb|View from aircraft as it comes down to land at [[Shannon Airport]]]]
[[File:Bunrattybig.jpg|right|thumb|[[Bunratty Castle]]]]

Clare is served by two [[national primary road]]s—a classification referring to the major routes between major urban centres [[roads in Ireland|in Ireland]].<ref name="roads">{{cite web |url=http://www.nra.ie/Publications/DownloadableDocumentation/GeneralPublications/file,15886,en.pdf |title=National Route: Lengths as of 2007 |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=National Roads Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319162206/http://www.nra.ie/Publications/DownloadableDocumentation/GeneralPublications/file,15886,en.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This includes the [[N18 road (Ireland)|N18]] connecting [[Limerick]] to [[Galway]], which passes through Ennis and by route of the [[N19 road (Ireland)|N19]]—Shannon.<ref name="roads"/> These two roads are part of the wider Western and Southern Corridor connecting many of the major settlements right across the island in these areas. There are also some significant [[national secondary road]]s—across the coast, stretching from [[Ballyvaughan]], through [[Ennistymon]] and [[Kilkee]], before arriving at [[Kilrush]] is the [[N67 road (Ireland)|N67]].<ref name="roads"/> In addition to this the [[N68 road (Ireland)|N68]] connects Kilrush to Ennis, while Ennis is connected to Ennistymon via the [[N85 road (Ireland)|N85]].<ref name="roads"/>

Mainland public transport is mostly limited to buses ran by [[Irish Government]] owned company [[Bus Éireann]]; there are around 25 buses running frequent routes which pass through the majority of large settlements in Clare.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?C=CLAI&op=B |title=Bus services for County Clare Council |access-date=25 December 2008 |publisher=CarlBerry.co.uk |archive-date=14 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314155433/http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?C=CLAI&op=B |url-status=live }}</ref> Clare Bus, runs a limited number of "accessible buslines".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarebus.ie/|title=Home page for Clare Bus|website=www.clarebus.ie|access-date=21 June 2019|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513075507/http://www.clarebus.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Ennis railway station]] operated by government-owned [[Iarnród Éireann]] is the most significant railway station in Clare today; it was opened on 2 July 1859.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} By route of [[Limerick]] the trains run from Ennis to [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Dublin]] and it generally takes 3 hours to complete the journey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Details of train travel between Dublin and Ennis |publisher=CarlBerry.co.uk |url=http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowr.asp?RE=IR006A |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721151615/http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowr.asp?RE=IR006A |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Your Journey – Timetables |publisher=[[Irish Rail]] |url=http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/timetables_junction1.asp |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213004519/http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/timetables_junction1.asp/ |archive-date=13 February 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There was previously a far more extensive local railway network in Clare, laid while part of the United Kingdom, the [[West Clare Railway]] was in existence from its opening in 1887 by [[Charles Stewart Parnell]] until 1961 covering much of the county.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Short History of the West Clare Railway |publisher=WestClareRailway.ie |url=http://www.westclarerailway.ie/wcrhistory.html |access-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104172904/http://www.westclarerailway.ie/wcrhistory.html |archive-date=4 January 2008}}</ref> It was quite inefficient, however, leading [[Percy French]] to write the song ''[[Are Ye Right There Michael|Are Ye Right There Michael?]]'' about his experience. Much of it was dug up and dismantled by the Irish government from the 1950s to the 1970s after being deemed uneconomic; however, there remains local [[advocacy group]]s who wish to conserve and restore parts of it.<ref>{{cite web |title=The West Clare Railway Co |publisher=WestClareRailway.ie |url=http://www.westclarerailway.ie/wcrproject.html |access-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104172925/http://www.westclarerailway.ie/wcrproject.html |archive-date=4 January 2008}}</ref>

The third-busiest airport in Ireland is located in Clare with the [[Shannon Airport]], which officially opened in 1945.<ref name="shannonair">{{cite web |title=Shannon Airport Facts & Figures |publisher=CARHIRE.ie |url=http://www.carhire.ie/aboutsapfactsandfigures.php |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=14 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013541/http://www.carhire.ie/aboutsapfactsandfigures.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with [[Dublin Airport]] and [[Cork Airport]] it is one of the three primary airports in the country, handling 3.62 million passengers in 2007. Shannon was the first airport in Ireland to receive [[transatlantic flight]]s.<ref name="shannonair"/> [[Ryanair]] is the main airline handling flights with Great Britain and Continental European countries such as Spain, France and Germany as the primary destinations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flights from Shannon Airport |publisher=FlightMapping.com |url=http://www.flightmapping.com/Ireland/Shannon/ |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218065156/http://www.flightmapping.com/Ireland/Shannon/ |archive-date=18 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Much traffic from the United States is received, which [[Aer Lingus]] mostly handles; it is sometimes used as a military stopover which has caused some controversy in the country,<ref>{{cite web |title=Peaceful protest at Shannon airport draws 1,700 people |publisher=AllBusiness.com |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/shipping-air-freight/437795-1.html |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-date=23 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123193406/http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/shipping-air-freight/437795-1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but nonetheless has generated significant revenue for the airport.<ref>{{cite news |title=Almost 200,000 troops use Shannon |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1106/1225893547102.html |access-date=25 December 2008 |date=11 November 2008 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212601/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1106/1225893547102.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There are some local [[ferry]] services as much of the county is surrounded by water; there is one from Killimer to [[Tarbert, County Kerry|Tarbert Island]] in Kerry<ref>{{cite web |title=Killimer Tarbert Car Ferry |publisher=DiscoverIreland.com |url=http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-plan-your-visit/listings/product/?fid=FI_71068 |access-date=25 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718212052/http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-plan-your-visit/listings/product/?fid=FI_71068 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and also from [[Doolin]] to the [[Aran Islands]] of [[Inisheer]] and [[Inishmore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Doolin Ferry Timetable |publisher=DoolinFerry.com |url=http://www.doolinferry.com/aran_island_ferry_timetable.html |access-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208011322/http://www.doolinferry.com/aran_island_ferry_timetable.html |archive-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>

==People==
{{See also|Category:People from County Clare}}
* [[Gerald Barry (composer)|Gerald Barry]], composer
* [[Pat Breen]]
* [[Joe Carey]]
* [[Tony Killeen]]
* [[Timmy Dooley]]
* [[Síle De Valera]]
* [[Shane O'Donnell]]
* [[Naomi Carroll]]
* [[Edna O'Brien]]
* [[Brendan O'Regan]]
* [[Des Lynam]]

==See also==
* [[High Sheriff of Clare]]
* [[I Was Happy Here]]
* [[List of rivers of County Clare]]
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Clare]]
* [[Wild Atlantic Way]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |title=A Classical Dictionary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-LAMAAAAYAAJ&q=Concani,+Cantabri&pg=PA368 |last=Anthon, Charles |year=1855 |publisher=Harvard University}}
*{{Cite book |title=The Families of County Clare, Ireland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w0eKGvhwsJIC&q=Concani+clare&pg=PA7 |last=O'Laughlin, Michael C. |year=2000 |publisher=Irish Roots Cafe |isbn=0-940134-98-5}}
*{{Cite book |title="The Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters" as translated by Owen Connellan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IEITng6KDSIC&q=Concani&pg=PA393 |last=The Four Masters |year=2003 |publisher=Irish Roots Cafe |isbn=0-940134-14-4}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|County Clare|voy=County Clare}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100310060013/http://www.warofindependence.net/  War Of Independence in Clare]
* [http://www.clarecoco.ie/ Clare County Council]
* [http://www.clarelibrary.ie/ Clare County Library]
* [http://www.clare-rosecottage.com/news/10-great-reasons-to-visit-co-clare-in-the-west-of-ireland/ Tourist Attractions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120194145/http://www.clare-rosecottage.com/news/10-great-reasons-to-visit-co-clare-in-the-west-of-ireland/ |date=20 November 2020 }}

{{Geographic location
| North  = [[County Galway]] [[File:Logogalwayco.png|30px]]
| West   = Atlantic Ocean
| Centre = County Clare
| East   = [[County Tipperary]] [[File:IRL county Tipperary COA.png|24px]]
| South  = [[County Limerick]]
}}

{{County Clare}}
{{Ireland counties}}{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|52|50|N|9|00|W|type:adm1st_region:IE_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:County Clare| ]]
[[Category:Counties of the Republic of Ireland|Clare]]
[[Category:Local government areas of the Republic of Ireland|Clare]]
[[Category:Munster|Clare]]