The area was, for over 200 years, in pre-Reformation times made up of seven parishes: Kilnasoolagh, Tuamfinlough, Bunratty, Drumline, Clonloghan, Kilconry, Kilmaleery.
In the very confused times after 1688AD there were two priests in the area. One served Kilnasoolagh and Tuamfinlough; the other served the other five parishes.
In 1776AD James O’Shaughnessy was appointed parish priest of Bunratty, Drumline, Clonloghan, Kilconry and Kilmaleery.
On the death of James O’Halloran in 1782,
Kilnasoolagh and Fenloe were also given into his charge. The area remained as one parish until in December 1967 when the present parish of St Senan’s Shannon was set up.
During the twentieth century there was profound social change. What was once an agricultural community is now a community depending not only on agriculture but on the service and manufacturing industries of Shannon Airport and the associated industrial estates. The present population is approaching 3,800 with over 1200 dwellings.
Local places of interest:
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking Trading Camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants.
Dromoland Castle
Moghaun Fort
Dromoland Belvedere
(The Turret) (The Gazebo)
Carrigoran Nursing Home
O’Regan Park
Diaspora
It is hoped that people born in the parish and now living in other areas might be interested in current news.
The descendants of emigrants are more interested in tracing ancestors;
Parish baptismal and marriage records date from 1829. Death records from 1939.
A deal of information can be found on the Clare Library website
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare
All county Clare records are available from The Heritage Centre Corofin. By visiting the area it is often possible to see where your ancestors lived, where they were buried and meet cousins you never knew existed.
In the parish there are six firs class hotels and over fifty excellent B&Bs.
