County Clare in Ireland

County Clare (Contae an Chláir in Irish) is in the Irish province of Munster. It is located on the west coast of Ireland, northwest of the River Shannon and bordering Lough Derg. Area: 3,147 km² (1,215 square miles). Its capital is the town of Ennis.

County Clare succeeded the district of Thomond (which was part of Connacht), and when first created it was sometimes called County Thomond. Its nickname is the Banner County, which refers to a former local tradition of carrying banners at political meetings and public occasions.

Clare plays host to two of the Country’s natural attractions. Firstly, the Cliffs of Moher and secondly. The Burren, whose geology, flora, caves, archaeology and history set it apart as a place of great mystery and beauty.

The River Shannon and Lough Derg form the eastern boundary of County Clare. On the west is the wonderfully varied Atlantic coast, with mighty cliffs, caverns and sandy bays. To the north this rugged coast rises nearly 700 feet above the sea in the sheer Cliffs of Moher; here also is the amazing limestone district called the Burren, with its many caves, underground streams and rare flora. On the south is the broad Shannon estuary, where Ireland's greatest river meets the sea.

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The General Register Office (Oifig An Ard-Chláraitheora) is the central repository for records relating to Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Republic of Ireland. It is concerned with civil registration matters only, and does not engage in genealogical research. Records of marriages other than Roman Catholic marriages date back to 1st April 1845. Records of Births, Deaths and Roman
Catholic Marriages date to 1st January, 1864.

Resource for County Clare genealogy researchers
Fianna's Guide to Irish Research, includes links to maps, Irish history, FHC film #'s, census records and anything important for the Irish genealogy researcher
County Clare Library Their website includes some very good articles on the history of the county. You can search the Griffiths Valuation for County Clare at this site. Also available for search: Origins of Heraldry, Parishes and Church Records, Land Owners in Clare 1876, Deaths in the Liscannor area 1864-1870, List of Tenants on Colonel O'Callaghan's Estate, Bodyke, 1890s, Biographical Notices appearing in The Clare Champion newspaper from 1935-1985.
The Clare Champion County Clare's local newspaper
Irish Parish/town History Book Website Many town and/or parishes in Ireland have written histories. The Parish History Book website is a central point where local history books are listed by county and can be very helpful to the Irish genealogical research. First, they tell the history of the area, recount many local stories and at times include the tithes and Griffiths Valuation data for the area.
The LDS Family Search listing of County Clare holdings. This site lists all microfilms, fiche and publications that can be found in the LDS Family History Library near you. You can get the film numbers on line at this site and order the film at you library.
1855 Griffiths Valuation, This Full Name Index to the valuation gives Surname, Forename, Town or Townland, Parish and Poor Law Union of individuals named in the published valuation. A person owning or leasing property in more than one townland will appear separately for each townland. Thetype of property held (i.e. house, garden, office or acreage of land), its valuation and map reference numbers are not included and theprinted valuation will have to be consulted for this information.
Church of Ireland Parish Registers. A table by parish with corresponding earliest dates when records are available, includes baptism, marriage and death records.
A Guide to County Clare, genealogy, heritage and historical sites.
County Clare Roman Catholic Church Registers. A table showing the available records and the earliest date when records are available. It is listed by both Civil Parish and corresponding Catholic Parish.
Web Directory Ireland

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