Liscannor

Liscannor
Lios Ceannúir
Village

Panoramic View of Liscannor

Seal
Liscannor

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 52°56′19″N 9°23′38″W / 52.93851°N 9.394000°W / 52.93851; -9.394000Coordinates: 52°56′19″N 9°23′38″W / 52.93851°N 9.394000°W / 52.93851; -9.394000
Country Ireland
Province Munster
County County Clare
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2006)
 • Urban 71
Time zone WET (UTC+0)
 • Summer (DST) IST (WEST) (UTC-1)

Liscannor (Irish: Lios Ceannúir, meaning "ringfort of Ceannúr"[2]) is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland. Lying on the west coast of Ireland, on Liscannor Bay, the village is located on the R478 road between Lahinch, to the east, and Doolin, to the north. The Cliffs of Moher are about 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the village. Between Lahinch and Liscannor lies the small village of Moymore.

History

The area around Liscannor belonged in former times to the Chieftains of Corcomroe – the O’Connors. Corcomroe was one of five ancient divisions into which the County of Clare was divided. The four others were:

Liscannor Castle
Liscannor Castle (Clare County Library)
  1. Corcovaskin whose chiefs were of the O’Donnells and McMahons
  2. Ui-Cormaic was inhabited by the tribes of the O’Hehirs
  3. Ui-Fearmaic was the territory corresponding to the barony of Inchiquin and inhabited by the ODeas and the O’Quinns
  4. Ui-Caisin or Clancuilen was occupied by the powerful clan of the MacNamaras including the baronies of upper and lower Bunratty.

Some sources suggest that Liscannor takes its name from the old castle beside the local National School; “Lis” meaning a “fort” and “Cannor” a corruption of the name “Connor”. Others say that it is derived from “Lis”, a “fort”, “cean” a “head or headland” and “or” (uir) meaning “slaughter”.

The village of Liscannor was said not to exist before the year 1775. In a statistical survey of the district made about 1810 we are informed that at this latter date there were nearly 200 houses in it, and about ten of them had flag roofs. It is of interest that though Liscannor was not in existence until relatively recently it was in existence before Ennistymon was built up. Almost all the county about Ennistymon save for a few gentlemen’s residences and their demesnes was up to the early 19th century covered with woods mainly of oak and ash.

Kilmacreehy Church and Graveyard

Kilmacreehy Church

Cill MacCreiche (Kilmacreehy) Church is probably one of the most ancient ecclesiastical ruins in County Clare. The old church of St. MacCreiche dates to the sixth century. The church consisted of a nave and a chancel with a porch on the south side. On the west gable was a bell chamber, a feature common to churches not only in the district, but all over Clare. They occur both in Kildysart and Quin.

Baoth Bronach (king of ancient Corcomroe) gave the site for the church. It is said the inhabitants of the place, at the time, pointed out a spot on the strand, below the church, which they called Saint MacCreehy’s ”bed”.

Further out again is said to be the submerged church and town of Kilstapheen. Whether this Atlantis type village actually exists it is on record that shortly after the time of MacCreehy there was a tidal wave/earthquake that was responsible for the loss of some two thousand people on the Miltown Coast (source: Liscannor & District Survey, Clare Champion, May 16, 1953). Could this have submerged a coastal village also? In 1839 men said at Lahinch that the golden key of the enchanted island of Kilstapheen lay under Conan’s (one of Finn mac Cumhail warriors) tomb.

St. Brigid’s Well

Entrance to St. Brigids Well

Dabhach Bhríde is found near the Cliffs of Moher, and behind the well on a higher level, to which steps lead, is an ancient cemetery in which the Uí Bhrian, the Kings of Dál gCais, are buried. There is a large cross here and a circular path around it, and part of the Rite of the Holy Well is performed in this area known as the ‘Ula Uachtarach’ or upper sanctuary.

The Well itself is in the lower ground, the ‘Ula íochtarach’ or lower sanctuary, enclosed in a little house full of votive offerings such as holy pictures, rosaries, medals and so forth left by pilgrims. Small items which people carry around with them, such as pens, biros and combs, are commonly found also as offerings at wells. This site has a particularly mysterious atmosphere which may be felt at once by the pilgrims as they enter the grove and hears the gentle lapping of the water in the background. Something of the ancient ‘Nemeton’ (modern Irish neimheadh)- the outdoor Celtic Sanctuary - is, perhaps, to be experienced here.

Many pilgrims from all over County Clare and from the Aran Islands came to Liscannor. There were four different Pattern Days on which large groups attended:

  1. St Brigid’s Eve
  2. Garland Saturday
  3. Garland Sunday
  4. The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, on August 15.

Spanish Armada

At least 30 ships of Philip of Spain’s armada, sent to invade England in the summer of 1588, were lost along the coast of Ireland, mainly along the western seaboard. The oar-powered galleass Zuñiga anchored off-shore at Liscannor with a broken rudder, having found a gap in the Cliffs of Moher. The ship came under surveillance by the sheriff of Clare and by crown forces and had to withdraw to their ship. One captive was taken and sent for interrogation. The Zuñiga escaped the coast with favorable winds, moored at le Havre, and finally made it home to Naples in the following year.

Liscannor Harbour

The harbour currently has a number of fishing vessels moored there as well as smaller boats using it is a launching site for sea fishing/recreational sports. During summer months there is also a ferry service to the base of the Cliffs of Moher as well as to the Aran Islands.

Panoramic View of Liscannor Harbour

In the past the harbour was a busy hub of activity with numerous fishing vessels as well as a location to export locally quarried Liscannor Stone and to receive in supplies e.g. coal. However historical documents note that due to the silting of the harbour, ships could only carry approximately 380 tonnes into port. At low tides ships had to be winched into harbour. A currach would bring the rope out to the ship. There was often rivalry between boats to be the first to the ship. The harbour life boat was a large heavy wooden rowing boat, manned by members of the Coastguard Station (behind the Lower Quay). John P Holland’s father was “Head Boatman”. It was raised and lowered by winch in the boat house. Locally quarried flag was cut and polished beside the harbour and winched onto ships by steam crane. These slabs were transported to various British cities (Glasgow, Manchester, etc.) for use as pavement slabs. The haulage company who transported these flags was called ‘Watsons’.

Old photo of Liscannor Harbour

Coal was delivered directly to Liscannor up until the mid-1960s for Griffins coal yard in Ennistymon. However, in the mid-1960s a boat ran aground just outside the harbour and sank. The insurance became too expensive, and coal was then delivered to Clarecastle and subsequently delivered to Ennistymon for distribution. The harbour was built in 1825-31 for £2,900, of which £2,000 was a government grant.

John Philip Holland

The engineer John Philip Holland (1841–1914) was born in Liscannor, and developed some of the first submarines commissioned by the US Navy and Royal Navy. The son of a local coastguard member, Holland taught in a number of schools as a Christian Brother, before emigrating to the United States in 1873. There he improved his submersible designs - including the prototype Holland I. A visitor centre, the "John P Holland Centre", was opened in Liscannor in 2016.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher take their name from an old fort that once stood on Hags Head. T. J. Westropp refers to it as Moher Uí Ruis or Moher Uí Ruidhin. It still stood in 1780. The present tower near the site of the old fort was built by the British as a lookout tower during the Napoleonic Wars. The tower as stands to-day is more often attributed to Cornelius O'Brien (see previous paragraph) and hence known as O'Brien's Tower. The Cliffs stretch for 8 km and rise over 200 metres above the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliffs are one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and are one of the best examples of cliff-nesting seabird colonies in Ireland. The area was designated as a Refuge for Fauna in 1988 and as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive in 1989. Included within the designated site are the cliffs, the cliff-top maritime grassland and heath, and a 200-metre zone of open water directly in front of the cliffs to protect part of the birds' feeding area. The designation covers 200 hectares and highlights the area's importance for wildlife.

Hags Head

There are two versions as to how Hags Head got its name;

  1. The Hag was named ‘Mal’ and pursued Cuchillin to Loop Head, sprang after him to Diarmuid and Grainne’s Rock and she was dashed to pieces in attempting to spring back again. Her blood reddened the sea of Moher and Malbay its name.
  2. On Hags Head there are two large rock protrusions. That nearer the castle is in the shape of a woman’s head, giving rise to the second explanation “the rock has assumed the shape of a seated woman, the Sphinx like head looking eternally westward to the setting sun.”

Local Folklore

Aill na Searrach

Aill na Searrach: "Leap of the Foals"

Legend has it that when St. Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland there was anger amongst the Tuatha Dé Danann. They decided to magically turn themselves into horses and galloped to Kilcornan, where they hid out in the Kilcornan Caves. As time went by there was no sign of the legendary Tuatha Dé Danann until one day seven foals emerged from the caves. They were frightened by the bright light of day and galloped along the edge of the Cliffs of Moher in fear. Legend says they galloped straight over the cliffs at the point known as Aill na Searrach (anglicised as Aillenasharragh), which is the Irish for "Leap of the Foals".

The Sunken City of Kilstipheen

Legend says that the ancient of city Kilstipheen (Cill Stíopháin, St. Stephen’s church) sank into the depths of Liscannor Bay due to a ghostly tsunami which occurred when the then chieftain lost a golden key in battle. This key was used to open the finest castle in the city. The city now cannot be restored to its former splendor until this lost key can be found. One legend has it that it is under an ogham gravestone on Mount Callan. Another legend says that the key was thrown into the depths of small lake on the same mountain and yet another that one day a fisherman will hook the golden key from the bottom of the ocean thus restoring the city to the surface. Folklore says that Kilstipheen, with its golden roofed palaces, ornate churches and spiraling towers can sometimes be seen shining below the surface of the waters as you look south to Miltown Malbay from Liscannor. It also says that once every seven years it rises above the surface of the waves but with if you spot the ancient city it is foretold that you will not survive the seven years until it surfaces again.

Mal the auld Hag

There once was an old hag named Mal who was adept in the dark arts of witchcraft. She fell in love with the legendary Cú Chulainn but her love was not returned. She chased him across the island of Ireland until they reached Loop Head in South Clare. Cú who had extraordinary strength and agility leapt from the Head onto the nearest island. Mal, using her magic, leapt after him so Cú jumped back to the mainland. Again Mal followed him but her jump fell short and she was dashed against the cliffs. Her blood reddened the water all the way from Loop Head to the Cliffs of Moher. Thus is how Malbay of Milltown Malbay got its name and her face can still be seen at Hags Head where the cliffs resemble an old hag looking out to sea.

St. McCreehy – the Demon Slayer of Liscannor

There is an old church and graveyard as you travel to Liscannor from Lahinch called Kilmacreehy (the church of McCreehy). The parish also takes its name from this saint. Legend has it that a monstrous eel burst forth from the depths of Liscannor Bay to feast on the corpses laid to rest at the graveyard. St McCreehy tackled this great beast and slew it after a long fight. A carving of the eel was present until recently at the old ruins.

So legendary was his bravery that St McCreehy was also needed to slay a demon dragon (called a bruckee). In fact the Bruckee was more than likely a bear but over time became exaggerated into a dragon. The Bruckee on ‘MacCreehy’s tomb’ in Kilmacreehy church, along the shore of Liscannor Bay has long pointed ears, large eyes and huge jaws blunt-ended, but bristling with vicious pointed teeth.

Churches in Liscannor

St. Brigid's Church

St. Brigids Church
Inside of St. Brigids Church 1960s

St Brigid’s Church in Liscannor was built in 1858 and last year celebrated its 150th anniversary on the Feast of Christ the King to celebrate 150 years of faith. 150 roses were taken by each family in the aprish and placed on the roads and mass paths which the current and previous residents of the parish talked to their place of worship for a century and a half. As the windows are only on one side of the church it is called “The Church that winks at God”.

Moymore Church

The church of Moymore was built in 1877, on an elevated site overlooking the bay. There was no church previously at this location. Before that the people of the area attended Mass in a small thatched chapel a quarter mile to the east in Caheraderry (Derry).

Interior of Moymore Church

Derry Church

Derry Church Ruins

The Caheraderry (Derry) church probably dates from the 17th century penal times, built either to facilitate travelling friars or possibly as an out-chapel or hermitage for Kilmacreehy Church. It is possible that the church contained a small loft where the priest lived, as in Toomullin Church in Doolin. The ten perches of adjacent land belonging to the church would seem to indicate that there was a priest in residence who used this as a garden. Beside the ruins stand two small one-room attached cottages. According to local tradition, one of these cottages was a sheebeen known as Gleeson’s and the other a schoolhouse, where a hedge-schoolmaster taught.

Transport

Bus Éireann route 350 links Liscannor to several locations: Ennis, Ennistymon, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna and Galway. There are a number of journeys each way daily. Onward rail and bus connections are available at Ennis and Galway.

Sports

Liscannor GAA

Liscannor won a county title in 1940 but this team was a combined team from the North Clare area. Liscannor GAA Club was reformed in 1985 as a separate entity after players from the area had played with The St Michaels team for a number of years. Liscannor were immediately successful and were promoted to Intermediate ranks after winning the Junior title in their first year after reforming in 1985. Liscannor also won the league title in 1985. An intermediate title followed in 1988 but the effects of emigration and a dwindling population meant that Liscannor were to revert to the Intermediate grade after one year at Senior level. Despite reaching a number of finals it would be 12 years later in 2000 before Liscannor returned to the Senior Grade.

Town crest

Moher Celtic

Moher Celtic is the local football club. They have reached two Clare Cup finals in their history but have been edged out on both occasions.[3]

People

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.cso.ie/census and www.histpop.org. Not listed as a separate census town between 1971 and 1996, For a discussion on the accuracy of pre-famine census returns see JJ Lee “On the accuracy of the pre-famine Irish censuses” in Irish Population, Economy and Society edited by JM Goldstrom and LA Clarkson (1981) p54, and also “New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850” by Joel Mokyr and Cormac Ó Gráda in The Economic History Review, New Series, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Nov., 1984), pp. 473–488.
  2. ↑ A. D. Mills, 2003, A Dictionary of British Place-Names, Oxford University Press
  3. ↑ http://www.claresoccer.net/index.php/2013-03-02-01-26-38
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