Clarecastle

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Clarecastle (Irish: Droichead an Chláir) is a village just south of Ennis, in County Clare, Ireland on the outskirts of the main town. The main Limerick–Ennis–Galway N18 road passes through Clarecastle, and the length from Ennis to Clarecastle is built up, such that Clarecastle has the appearance of a suburb of Ennis.

It was originally known as Clare (from the Irish Clár Átha An Dá Choradh)and gave its name to the county.

The name of the village is incorrectly translated from the Irish, which essentially means "Clarebridge". The bridge referred to is that over the River Fergus, along which the N18 currently passes (a bypass is planned). The river Fergus splits in two at Clarecastle and there is an old army barracks, Thomond villas, by the Bridge on the island formed by the two weirs.In days gone bye, there were wodden bridges or Planks (Clar) over the weirs. The Irish name refers to the planks or wodden bridges over the two weirs.The dominant sport played in Clarecastle is hurling and the team colours are Black and White and the locals are known as Magpie's.

See also: List of towns in the Republic of Ireland