Holiday haunts on the west coast of Clare, Ireland

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Execution of King Brian at Bunratty Castle

   Bunratty Castle · castle · Clare · 1276

   Following his defeat, King Brian fled to Bunratty Castle where he dined with De Clare. De Clare's wife, blaming Brian for her brother's death, had him seized, dragged to death by horses, and beheaded.

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   pears from the interesting paper in the Antiquarian Journal, by T. Johnson Westropp, M.A., “having won over and formed an alliance with the sons of O’Brien, of Tromora, the De Burglioes, the O’Madigan’s, the O’Kelly’s, of Hy- Many, and others marched with his force to attack King Brian, and his allied army, and having met in battle array, at Moy Gressin in Upper Bunratty, Brian was defeated : numbers fell on both sides : among them was De Clare’s brother-in-law, Patrick PitzMaurice. Bunratty Castle was filled with lamentations, and each felt his loss as if he had been their relative. King Brian also had fled thither, and was at dinner with De Clare in Bunratty Castle, when the latter’s wife denounced the unfortunate King as the sole cause of her brother’s death, and got leave to hang the King, who was seized at table, brought out of the Castle, and dragged to death between horses ; his head was cut off, and the mangled body suspended by its feet

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2. Kilkee as the Queen of watering places

   Kilkee · town · Clare

   The author observes that Kilkee is beautifully situated and considers it the premier seaside resort in Ireland. They lament that better use is not made of the sea and the nearby Shannon for tourist excursions.

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   have caves to visit and rocks to lounge on, but it was never intended that pleasureseekers who can afford to pay for enjoyment should he for ever burrowing in caves, or like barnacles, stuck to the rocks, when they come to Kilkec for a holiday. Nature has done everything for Kilkee, and art, too, has contributed much towards making it the Queen of watering places in Ireland; all now wanted is to make a better use of the sea, and the river Shannon, which is so conveniently situated for pleasure in connection with the other sea-side attractions. A great deal of the success of those first-class watering places and health resorts in England is due to the facilities afforded for amusement and recreation of every kind. We have also wondered why it is that none of our steamship owners will not do for Ireland, and the British public generally, what is being accomplished for Norway and other foreign places, namely, to employ one or more steamers to take passengers to see the hold

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3. Spanish Point seaside resort

   near Spanish Point · promontory · Clare

   Spanish Point on the Malbay coast features an extensive strand and large sand-hills dotted with detached marine residences and local gentry's seats. It also possesses a remarkably large hotel for a rural place.

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   ing to live a secluded life may occupy a house standing on its own grounds, ivitliout being brought into close proximity with one’s neighbour. At Spanish Point is a hotel of remarkably large dimensions for a rural place, hut evidently the beauty of its situation attracts many, or such ample accommodation as this hotel affords, need not have been provided.

   Spanish Point, in Summer or Winter, is certainly a charming place to reside in, and having seen it under both aspects we speak from experience : Mutton Island, near the shore, adds to the interest of its position; to it pic-nic parties often resort in canoes or other suitable boats supplied by the Handheld fishermen. In Tromora, opposite Mutton Island, once resided a branch of the great Clan O’Brien. Here, in 1276, Donald, the son of Teige-a-luinn O’Brien, lived, when Torlough fled to him, from his uncle, King Brian and his allies, who attacked the Palace of Torlough, at Clonroad, near Ennis. Torlough, it ap-

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