About a hundred years ago (about thirty years before Miceál Mac Conamara went as an apprentice to Kilrush) there was a widow living near Carrigaholt. Her husband had left her a "fairish" sized farm but as he had been very extravagant and very much given to drink there was no stock on the farm with the exception of a horse. The spring, after her husband died, the widow saw all her neighbours ploughing and getting down their crops but she had no grain to sow and she had only one horse to do the ploughing.
Well one day the widow was sitting by the fire crying to herself when a woman, a stranger came into the kitchen. "what is the matter with you, my good woman", said the stranger. "Why are crying" The widow told her how she was circumstanced and added that she had a plough and a son who was well able to plough, but she had only one horse and no

the Church fell into the hands of the McKeoghs and it became known as Ballymackeogh or McKeogh's townland.
With the coming of the Penal Laws, this Church was closed against the Catholic population and allowed to fall into dissrepair. Meantime a "Mass House" was used which stood in the shrubbery of Mr. Ryan's demesne at Ballymackeogh opposite the entrance lodge, and only a few hundred yards from the old Church. This was a long mud building with three main couples or rafters and had three glass windows. It was dedicated to the Purification of B V M and was one of the Churches served by the Priests of the district, all during the 18th century, down to the building of the Church at Newport in 1795, when it was abandoned.
A reliable old man whose family have for a long time lived quite close to where it stood, says that he often heard the old people speak of internments that took place there, but all who were buried there were later re-interred in Ballymckeogh Churchyard. (This may have been during the famine years, when grave yards were congested).
(1) Famous Irish archaeologist of 100 years ago. Made a survey of the whole country in 1841. Native of Carrigaholt, Co. Clare was professor of archaeology in Trinity College (a Catholic himself).

About fifteen years ago I happened to meet a farmer whose name was McMahon at Carrigaholt on a Sunday after second Mass. In the course of conversation he asked if I lived in Tullycrine. I said "yes". He said a very queer thing happend me there about five years ago.Continuing he said it was about midnight on St John's Night as I was on my way home from the fair of Spancil Hill where I sold a horse about 10 o'clock A.M. that day. Just as I was opposite the Grove road five people suddenly appeared before one. They would not allow me go forward but ordered me to go back. They were pushing me so much that I had to turn my face to them.I noticed sparks of fire coming from their eyes and flame issuing from their mouths. After driving me backwards for intervals of minutes they used surround me and cause me to stand for a minute or so. Again they would make me go backwards darting fiery fingers before my face. Just at dawn, they suddenly vanished. I was then about a half-mile east

We live in the parish of Killofin. It is joined with the parish of Kilmurry Mac Mahon. Both parishes have the same parish priest.
Killofin parish get its name from a small church which is built here. The church was built here in the year 1302 and it fell into ruins in the year 1690.
In the year 1690 the Penal Laws were strong in force in Ireland.
The Protestant minister named Barclay drove out the priest. He was helped by soldiers on their way from Carrigaholt. They told him they would hang him on the road between Labasheeda and Kilmurry.
During that time Corca-Baiscinn was ruled by the Mc Mahons. Lady Mora OBrien wife of the chieftain repaired twelve churches in her territory. Among them was Killofin Church. She beuilt a church in Kilmurry in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

So O'Flaherty got his friends and ships ready and set sail across the bay for Tromoroe. They sailed from Aran Island early in May 1642 and reached Tromoroe at the beginning of the night. The garrison fired on them and inflicted some wounds. From Sunday night to Wednesday morning the Galway men assailed the castle from a "hall" which adjoined it. The act stirred up some of the Clare men and Teigue and Donagh O'Brien from Carrigaholt, the McDermots of Tromoroe, one Fitzpatrick and others, joined forces with the O'Flaherties.What they wanted was plunder, for O'Flaherty ordered his men to spare the lives of the Wards. However it was hard to keep in check fierce men in those lawless times who were exasperated at the resistance of the Wards.John, one of the sons of Peter Ward, saw that resistance was hopeless and urged his father to surrender having taken on himself to open negotiations with O'Flaherty but his father refused. The Irish let out on Tuesday Peter Ward's two younger sons and two daughters and an Englishman and his wife and let them go in safety. Peter Ward, his wife and one son however held out in the castle.O'Flaherty ordered his men to spare them but to keep them constantly harrassed, keeping Peterr

The Kilballyowen Soiree.This song was supposed to be composed by Rev. P. Glynn, (died 1921) who at that time was parish priest of Carrigaholt, and Rev. James Clancy - late P.P. of Toomevara, who was then curate in Kilkee. £50 were offered to anyone who would give information as to its composer and many a riot was caused by its being sung in public at fairs and markets in West Clare. I have collected the following information about the people mentioned in the ballad.
1st verse.
"Mr Westby" - Nicholas Westby owned large tracts of land - extending from Cahermurphy to Loop Head. His daughter was the wife of Marcus Keane of Beechpark - another landlord - who owned all ten estates between Kilmoraun - near Ennis - and Loop Head. Marcus was the guiding hand of the proselytisers - he penned most of the arguments, sermons [?] against

The well is situated on the cliff road from Kilkee to Carrigaholt. About half way between Dunlike and Kilkee. Opposite the well are two Islands-Bishop's Island and Crana rock. The well is situated on a lonely part of the district, there's not a house or building of any kind near it.
Very little is known in the locality about this saint.
The well is frequented by pilgrims on Thursdays and Sundays.
The round is performed from left to right. Ten small pebbles are taken from the bed, one is thrown on the bed when starting.
The Rosary is said by each pilgrim during the rounds and after each round a stone is thrown

I am now 97 years. I was born at Kilrush on 20th December 1838. I went to a private school in Chapel Lane, Kilrush at the age of four years. It was in charge of Mr Broderick and his daughter Lizzy Broderick - about a hundred pupils attended and I paid 3d per week. My mother's name was Scales, a native of Kilrush. My father was a surveyor and was born at Thomondgate Limerick. He was engaged by the Board of Works making the road between Ennis and Kilrush. We came to Carrigaholt in 1848 and I attended a school taught by Mr Maher.In 1852 I was appointed assistant to Mr Maher and taught there for 3 years. I taught in Moveen from 1858 to 1859. I was succeeded there by the late Mr Hickey, father of D' P.C. Hickey Kilkee. I was trained at Marlboro St Dublin in 1861. I taught in Kildare for a year. Father Meehan appointed me to Cross National School in January 1862. I resigned on pension in 1901.Father Michael Meehan was born in Cahermurphy, I think, perhaps he was

charge of Dr Tuite and afterwards Dr Griffin. I was never in it but it was large enough. It was made up of a couple of houses and a large corn store. You would see a dozen or more coffins leaving it every morning for Moyarta graveyard where a large trench was open and when 9 or ten coffins were placed in the trench earth was thrown on them. There was a cholera case in every house. Father Malachy Duggan contracted the Cholera while attending a sick call in the eastern side of the parish.The farms were small, no man had more than a cow or two enough to supply milk and butter for home use. Every field was tilled and grew corn. Enough corn was sold to pay the rent and the remainder was kept for home use. There was a quern in every house and it was my work when I came home from school to grind enough corn to make bread for the following day. Any person who did not grow corn bought and ground it to make bread.People commenced to grow potatoes in bogs, they grew badly at first but improved later. They sometimes made "Stampié" of scraped potatoes mixed it with flour and baked it into bread.Fish was plentiful in those days and was largely used as food. The village of Carrigaholt

nuair do cailleadh iad. Théighidís ionntha féin agus thagadh "dubh" éigin ar an gcroiceann.Cailín aimsire bréagh, dhathamhail, láidir i mBille (Bella, Carrigaholt) ag obair leath'smuigh de tigh nuair a bhi an Relieving Officer ag dul thar an tígh. Tráthnóna lae ar an bhaireach ba h-é an chéad iarratas fuair sé ná Cómhra Shaor do solathair don chailín sin.Bhí alán tighthe ar an mBóthar Cois Sionainne ó Dhúnátha go Cuibhreann le na linn sin. Bean ag dul abhaile oidhche tríd na bpairceanna agus leanbh na bhaclainn aici. Maidin lae ar na báireach fuairtheas corp na mná sa pháirc agus an leanbh ag rith ar fúaidh na páirce.Sagart a bhí "briste" ag an Easbog (toisc é bheith tugtha don ól) an tÁth Ó D... Maidin le linn don cholera chuaidh sé go Carraig a' Chabhaltaig agus bhuail ar an gcéad doras. Dóscladh sé acht nuair chonnaic bean a' tíghe cé bhí ann dún sí arís go tapaidhe. Chuaidh sé tríd an "Bóthar Cnidhe" (Sráid i gCarraig a' Cabhaltaig) agus bhuail sé ar doras eile arís. Bhí eagla ar bhean a' tighe é a leigint isteach toisc go raibh a cúigear mac in a lúighe leis an gColera. "Á" leig isteach go fóil mé " ar san Sagart. "Táim tuirseach". Leigeadh agus lá ar na báireach bhí an cuigear mac na sláinte arís acht leath'stig de bliain cailleadh fear - ceile na mná eile leis an nGorta.

People were going out from Carrigaholt fishing in the Shannon one night and brought potatoes with them in a pot as it was the custom to boil them while out in their boat. One of the boys, reached over the side with the empty pot to fill it with water when the pot slipped from him and fell into the sea. Nothing daunted however he decided to follow the pot and got his fellow fishers to tie a long rope securely round his waist and to hold one end securely.
When he came down under the sea he reached a town and saw a man smoking his pipe outside a house. The boy was offered a smoke of this pipe but refused it (If he had taken it he would have to stay down there).
Boy asked him if he had seen any pot which had fallen overboard. Man said he had heard a strange noise behind the house a few minutes previously. Boy went around and saw woman having his pot filled with fairy potatoes which she was about to boil - the woman asked him to leave her the pot for a while. But meantime the man in the boat who held one end of the rope thought it was time to pull him up; this, they did and up he came to the surface with his own pot and the fairy potatoes.
The men kept these potatoes and used them for seed and these are the seeds still in use in West Clare.

whether true or no, some children here say that their parents have it that the children in the soupschools were given a picture of the Blessed Virgin to spit on. But in fairness many hold that he was a good landlord and easy on the poor. He owned land in Lisheen and Fruir and many took advantage of his leniency. Marcus Keane his chief agent and son in law is by general accord the evil genius of the piece and no one has a good word for him. When Father Meehan's church was levelled Keane wanted to get someone to throw out the temporary altar but not even his own servants would do this. At last he asked a poor idiot who refused also saying that God would kill him oif he did so. Finally, Keane himself had to throw it out.
Westby had a sub agent in Querrin named Crowe who was very hard. At last Westby gathered all the tenants together and compared their rent receipts with the amounts actually received by him through Crowe. Finding a large deficiency he dispensed with Crowe's services.
Colonel Burton of Carrigaholt Castle gave site for schools, curate's residence in the village. He was easier on the rich than on the poor so the rich often helped the poor to pay their rents. Finding a man who had not paid his rent setting potatoes in Rehy, the Colonel made him pick up every potato again. His sub agent was called Patsy Shaun Larry. The last Col. Burton who lived there was a harmless elderly man who died about 1917 and is buried in the grounds.

Mc Donnell of Doonaha was good to the poor but hard on the well to do farmers who were rather slow in paying their rents wouldn't allow people to plough the lands without special permission and increased rents. Owned lands in Doonaha, Lisdeen and also to the west of Carrigaholt. Once found one of his workmen idling when haymaking and ordered him to be tied to the machine and to draw it instead of the horse. Went to Dublin where he died of heart disease. Twas said a woman in Lisdeen had cursed him. For a long time afterwards people were disputing as to whether he was a good landlord or not.(40 years ago). Mrs Keating, Jas Scanlan's aunt, great aunt, now 80 years of age paid an annual rent of £65 for 35 acres.Burrough:- two brothers of that name lived in Querrin in houses now owned by F. Doherty and W. Counihan. These Burroughs were very hard and universally hated. Evicted many. Saw a man in Fruir ploughing his land without permission and made him turn down the sods again and cease the ploughing. Evicted nearly all the tenants in Querrin. Rents were about £1 a week on small holdings and £2 or £3 on larger. Eventually sold their holdings and went to America.Westby:- in Killyballyowen was the landlord who refused to give a site to Father Meehan for a church. It was he who built a Protestant Church at Kilbaha- now roofless- called by the locals the Preaching House. He introduced Soup schools in an effort to wean children from the Catholic Faith, These were taught by Protestant Teachers.

This blessed well is not in our school district but as people of the district go there to perform rounds
There are two churches where this well is situated about a mile from Carrigaholt. Teampall Searlas Because Charles McDonnell of Kilkee was buried there.
Teampall an Aird has no burial attached but a holy well called Tobar Creadáin.
I think people go there also and bathe their eyes in the water to cure them if they had sore eyes.
There is the ruin of a church further back in Ross called the church of the nine saints.
Cill Mac Duan is situated about 8 miles from this school. There is no information is to hand about the saint although several families called after

When he came into Cross School he always got the boys to sing. He was a good musician. He played the flute and the coronet. He gave me a flute which I have still. He was very fond of children and they were always delighted when he came into the school. I would call him a good preacher. There were no irregularities in the parish during his time except souperism [taking Protestant food to attend their schools & services]. He was a real Father Matthew man. In Father Duggan's time collections used to be made among guest at weddings for the priest. Fr Meehan got the valuations of holdings and he fixed the offerings according to valuations. I don't think he was as popular a priest as Father Malachy Duggan who was a native of the parish. I never heard as many cry as I did at Father Duggan's funeral.Fr Meehan travelled in an inside car. He also had a side car. I travelled with him in the car every Sunday that he went to Cross and Kilbaha and answered Mass for him. The Parish Clerk was Maurice Quinlan who was also a hedge schoolmaster.Fr Meehan used to preach in Irish. The parish was very thickly populated before the famine but hundreds died. There was a cholera hospital on Carrigaholt Beach in

Seo chunntas ar di shealbha na ndaoine in Iarthar an Chláir le linn don nGorta.Johanna Hoare of Tullaroe (Kilkee, Co. Clare) was evicted and died in the workhouse in Kilrush though she had paid her rent.In the year 1848 in the Parish of Carrigaholt (Westby Estate). Father White was present at the eviction of 5 or 6 families. Late in the evening of a cold winter's day he saw an old woman of about 80 years of age being taken out although in a dying condition and laid on a dung hill. He told the Sub-Sheriff he would prosecute him for murder if the woman died. Father White says all those were well to do people before the bad times.James O'Gorman, one of the evicted tenants, died on the road side. His wife and children were sent to the workhouse where they died.John Corbelt was evicted and also died in the workhouse. His wife had died before the eviction and his 10 children also died in the work house.Michael McMahon evicted at the same time

A fair was held in Carrigaholt which lasted for 3 days in early June - Called Aonach an Ché.There were only 9 fairs per year in Kilkee up to a few years ago. And the greatest was on 26th November. Many new fairs were made in the town since so there is none very large.
Toll was paid to the landlords at the Station and CrossRoads by buyers.Payment was made in the afternoon outside the BankThe luck-penny was arranged before the animal was finally sold.Fairs were held on the streets and footpaths and the cows would be nearly put in the shop doors by the farmers. As a boy I was always kept at home from school on fair days to mind our shop windows and keep off the cows.

the catholic religion and passed them on to his lieutenants for distribution among the people:
The Lighthouse -
This is the lighthouse in Loop Head
Corcoran's Bar -
This is in Kilkee - and was then known as the Central Hotel. Its owner was a Limerick man named Corcoran The old anti-Catholic, anti Irish crowd of the time were his chief patrons .
[?] Barney. -
Was a local character without much intelligence
Tombee -
Was a negro servant in the employ of Burton - a landlord who owned most of the Carrigaholt district.
Scott -
Was the rent collector for the estates. he had a habit of whistling when the tenants were paying their rents. His tune became gayer and livelier when he was told that a tenant could not pay.

The Doctor
The late Dr. Studdert, M.O.H, of Carrigaholt. He was a friend and supporter of his people and was more or less wheedled into being present at the soiree.
Percy -
Percy Keane - eldest son of Marcus. He was a notorious drunkard, who often conducted the services in the Mission school & chapel.
Gibson. Falvey. Katty & Moll Hair-
Were all well to do people- more or less independent of the Landlords or at least in their good graces.
Patsy Shaun Larry & Thomasheen Voll - were local characters.
Willie Studdert -
Was Westby's Land Stewart -
When the Kilballyowen estate passed from the Keane's into Westby's hands - over 40 years age - he sold the estate to his tenants but gave the Kilballyowen farm to Studdert - who still holds it in spite of an intensive boycott campaign during the Sin Féin movement.

DÚN ÁTA: Dunaha = DoonahaMentioned in O'Brien's Rental under that name in 14th Century. Origin of name said to be Dún Faithche the "fort on the green". Surrounding land being very flat. No trace of any "Dún" now in the locality.
Lime was burned in the district at one time and the Irish for Limekiln is "ÁT" which might also be the origin of DÚN AN FHATHAIGH from the giant Fuaim na hAdharca (See Page 78)
In 1875 the population of the peninsula from Kilkee to Loophead was estimated at 14,000Now (1938) the population of the same district is about 6,800 or roughly halfParish of Carrigaholt 2000
Parish of Kilballyowen 1200
Parish of Kilkee 3600 approx.The former two parishes were separated in 1875.
There are many old unoccupied houses to be seen in an advanced state of decay. In other places only grassy mounds show where once houses stood. Local people say that there were TWICE as many houses here once, which is a fairly reasonable estimate judging by the 7,000 drop in population.
Remains of an old MUD HOUSE I mile North of Doonaha (Ryans) was occupied up to 1928 about.