Folklore · County Clare
Folklore and traditions of County Clare
14 sites with recorded traditions.
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14 sites in County Clare with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Clare guide.
Folklore on ErinSites is quoted from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (or, when marked, from visitors). It records what people said or believed about a place; it is not presented as historical fact.
- Inchicronan Priory Abbey or friary · Inchicronan Island, Co. Clare
Traditionally an early site, a church had been built by the 12th century which was granted to Clare Abbey (CL033-120----) by Donal Mor O'Brien in 1189.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Killone Abbey Abbey or friary · Newhall, Co. Clare
Killone nunnery first appears in the Annals of Inishfallen in 1260, when it is recorded that “Slaney, O’Bryan’s daughter, abbess of Kill Eoin, chief in devotion, alms-deeds and hospitality of all women in Munster, died.” Slaney is believed to have been the…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kilshanny Abbey Abbey or friary · Porsoon, Co. Clare
A church is said to have been founded in Kilshanny by the 7th-century St Cuana, who Westropp (1900, 280) suggests can be identified with Mochonna of Feakle and Kilquane.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Quin Abbey Abbey or friary · Quin, Co. Clare
A rectangular cupboard (Wth 0.5m; H 0.33m) occupies the top of the back wall of the recess and there are modern votive offerings around the basin.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Killinaboy Round Tower Round tower · Killinaboy, Co. Clare
Traditionally said to have been destroyed by Cromwellian forces, with cannon damage reputedly still visible in 1839 (Barrow 1979, 62; Comber 1997, 13; Westropp 1894, 28).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Mollaneen High Cross High cross · Mollaneen, Co. Clare
This is the high cross of St. Tola, traditionally the founder of the monastic site, listed in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996) as ‘Cross’ and sometimes known as the ‘White cross of Tola’.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Killinaboy Church Ancient church · Killinaboy, Co. Clare
This is traditionally said to be an entrance to an O’Quin tomb or vault but may originally have led to a sacristy (MacMahon 2000, 15).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Muckinish Castle Castle · Muckinish East, Co. Clare
The castle is known locally as ‘Muckinish nua’ a name Westropp (1895, 280) attributed to a legend that it was built three years after Seanmuckinish castle (CL003-002----).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Brigid's Well Holy well · Ballysteen, Co. Clare
The holy well is still much venerated, as attested to by the many relics, coins, statues, rosary beads, notes and mass cards lining the passageway walls and lying about the well opening.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberinneenboy Holy well · Glensleade, Co. Clare
According to local tradition (Kirby 2021) leaving an offering at the well would cure warts.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberinneenboy Holy well · Caherlooskaun, Co. Clare
While the well was ‘seldom frequented’ in the 1830s, its water was still reputed to ‘be good for the cure of sore eyes’ (ibid.).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberinneenboy Holy well · Dulick, Co. Clare
It was originally dedicated to Iníne Baoith, and was resorted to for the cure of headaches.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Faunarooska, Rathborney, Wedge Tomb Cl. 4 Megalithic tomb · Faunarooska (Rathborney Ed), Co. Clare
Robinson (1977) marks the ‘hoofmarks of the Glas Ghaibhneach cow’, of the legendary smith Lon Mac Liofa, just SE of here.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Parknabinnia Wedge Tomb Megalithic tomb · Parknabinnia, Co. Clare
On a gentle SW-facing slope in rough pasture and exposed limestone pavement near the top of Roughan Hill, offering wide views from SE-SW-NW. Indicated as a circular feature and labelled ‘Carn’ on the first edition (1842) of the OS 6-inch map.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact