Doonbeg
Encyclopedia
Doonbeg is a village in West County Clare
in Ireland
. It is situated on the N67 between the towns of Kilkee and Miltown Malbay
. The nearest large towns are Kilrush
and Kilkee
which are both approximately 7 miles away.
The central point of the village is an architecturally significant seven arched stone bridge which crosses the Doonbeg river and divides the village. This is famous as a lady called Mary Belfast used to live under one of the arches and the remains of her dwelling exist to this day. The crossing is overlooked by the remaining fortifications of Doonbeg castle.
The village is located in Killard parish and in the diocese of Killaloe. There is a modern Roman Catholic church located in the village built in the 1970s and noteworthy for the stain glass windows that are uniquely designed so that the various colours illuminate the altar throughout the day. There are also several pubs, Doonbeg National School, two shops, a post office and a village hall and tourist office.
Doonbeg is sometimes referred to as "The Long Village" due to the length of its main street. It is reputed to be one of Ireland's longest villages.
is popular in Doonbeg. The main playing area is the Shanahan McNamara Memorial grounds which are located outside the village. Doonbeg GAA
is the second most successful gaelic football club in the history of Clare Senior Football Championship having won 18 county titles. Doonbeg's football team is known as "The Magpies" as a result of the black and white shirts which are traditionally worn. The famous Clare footballer, Gerry Killeen also played for the "Magpies".
The prestigious Greg Norman
designed golf links Doonbeg Golf club is situated outside the village.
Doonbeg is home to one of Clares best surf beaches known locally as "Doughmore". The beach includes hazards such as strong rip currents and has been signposted as "dangerous for bathing" by Clare County Council. It is popular among local intermediate surfers as it picks up the smallest swells when none of the surrounding beaches will and due to its tranquility. The beaches tranquility is mainly due to the difficulty of access. The beach runs parallel to Doonbeg Golf course which must be crossed in order to get onto the beach.
. There is also extensive bogland area near the village. The best areas to visit are in Tulliher and Derryard. The Doonbeg River flows through the village and enters the Atlantic Ocean
at the nearby Doonbeg Bay where there is a fishing pier located beside the ruins of Doonmore Castle.
Walking South from Doonbeg along the coast towards Kilkee
takes you along magnificent cliffs including the horseshoe cliff, its name deriving from the spectacular shape and double cave contained at the base.
In the outlying parish, popular scenic areas are the cliffs of Baltard and Killard and the popular White Strand beach which is located in the townland of Killard. Surfing has become popular in recent times along the northern coastline of the parish.
The White Strand beach in Killard attracts lots of visitors during the summer due to the availability of two beachs for safe swimming and the cleaniness of the water. Nearby there is a monument to Pat McDonald who was born in Millard and won an Olympic Gold Medal representing the US in Men's Shot Put. When he won his Olympic gold medal in 1920, he was aged 42, making him the oldest Olympic track & field champion ever.
There are picnic areas on the banks of the river near the bridge; it is also possible to fish in this area. Fishing is also possible around the coastal area of Doonbeg and shore fishing from the Blue Pool in Baltard is popular but dangerous in bad weather.
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is situated on the N67 between the towns of Kilkee and Miltown Malbay
Miltown Malbay
Spanish Point Airfield is an privately owned airfield between Milltown Malbay and Spanish Point. The airfield, located on Sandhill Road in the townland Leagard South, was established by three local pilots in 1991, and the original clubhouse was opened by then Irish Minister for Defense Mr...
. The nearest large towns are Kilrush
Kilrush
Kilrush is a coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located near the mouth of the River Shannon in the south-west of the county. Kilrush is a town of great historical significance, being one of the listed Heritage Towns of Ireland.-History:...
and Kilkee
Kilkee
Kilkee is a small coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located midway between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the N67 road. The town, one of the most famous resorts in Ireland, is particularly popular as a seaside resort with people from Limerick City...
which are both approximately 7 miles away.
The central point of the village is an architecturally significant seven arched stone bridge which crosses the Doonbeg river and divides the village. This is famous as a lady called Mary Belfast used to live under one of the arches and the remains of her dwelling exist to this day. The crossing is overlooked by the remaining fortifications of Doonbeg castle.
The village is located in Killard parish and in the diocese of Killaloe. There is a modern Roman Catholic church located in the village built in the 1970s and noteworthy for the stain glass windows that are uniquely designed so that the various colours illuminate the altar throughout the day. There are also several pubs, Doonbeg National School, two shops, a post office and a village hall and tourist office.
Doonbeg is sometimes referred to as "The Long Village" due to the length of its main street. It is reputed to be one of Ireland's longest villages.
Sport
Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
is popular in Doonbeg. The main playing area is the Shanahan McNamara Memorial grounds which are located outside the village. Doonbeg GAA
Doonbeg GAA
Doonbeg GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from the village of Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland.The club only plays gaelic football, and have won the Clare Senior Football Championship on eighteen occasions....
is the second most successful gaelic football club in the history of Clare Senior Football Championship having won 18 county titles. Doonbeg's football team is known as "The Magpies" as a result of the black and white shirts which are traditionally worn. The famous Clare footballer, Gerry Killeen also played for the "Magpies".
The prestigious Greg Norman
Greg Norman
Gregory John Norman AO is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur who spent 331 weeks as the world's Number 1 ranked golfer in the 1980s and 1990s...
designed golf links Doonbeg Golf club is situated outside the village.
Doonbeg is home to one of Clares best surf beaches known locally as "Doughmore". The beach includes hazards such as strong rip currents and has been signposted as "dangerous for bathing" by Clare County Council. It is popular among local intermediate surfers as it picks up the smallest swells when none of the surrounding beaches will and due to its tranquility. The beaches tranquility is mainly due to the difficulty of access. The beach runs parallel to Doonbeg Golf course which must be crossed in order to get onto the beach.
History
A settlement has existed at the current river crossing since medieval times. The village name Dunbeag or small fort possibly refers to Doonbeg castle or an earlier fortification located at the river crossing . The castle was built in the 16th century, it has been historical associated with the MacMahon and O'Brien clans.Geography
Doonbeg is surrounded by farmland the majority of which is used for dairy farmingDairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
. There is also extensive bogland area near the village. The best areas to visit are in Tulliher and Derryard. The Doonbeg River flows through the village and enters the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
at the nearby Doonbeg Bay where there is a fishing pier located beside the ruins of Doonmore Castle.
Walking South from Doonbeg along the coast towards Kilkee
Kilkee
Kilkee is a small coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located midway between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the N67 road. The town, one of the most famous resorts in Ireland, is particularly popular as a seaside resort with people from Limerick City...
takes you along magnificent cliffs including the horseshoe cliff, its name deriving from the spectacular shape and double cave contained at the base.
Tourism
Traditional music and dancing are popular in the pubs of Doonbeg. Special events include the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend in October. In addition to this, there is also a jazz festival on Whit Weekend in June. The village is also host to the West Clare Drama Festival which was established in 1962.In the outlying parish, popular scenic areas are the cliffs of Baltard and Killard and the popular White Strand beach which is located in the townland of Killard. Surfing has become popular in recent times along the northern coastline of the parish.
The White Strand beach in Killard attracts lots of visitors during the summer due to the availability of two beachs for safe swimming and the cleaniness of the water. Nearby there is a monument to Pat McDonald who was born in Millard and won an Olympic Gold Medal representing the US in Men's Shot Put. When he won his Olympic gold medal in 1920, he was aged 42, making him the oldest Olympic track & field champion ever.
There are picnic areas on the banks of the river near the bridge; it is also possible to fish in this area. Fishing is also possible around the coastal area of Doonbeg and shore fishing from the Blue Pool in Baltard is popular but dangerous in bad weather.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland