Discover Clarina: local history and riverside landscapes

Clarina lies eight kilometres west of Limerick City on the N69, near the Shannon and its tributary, the Maigue. Clarina’s own architectural history includes the former gate lodge of Elm Park House; nearby, Carrigogunnell Castle tells of a longer past.

Castle history and views of the Shannon Estuary

Carrigogunnell Castle lies three kilometres north of Clarina village. The castle was built on a volcanic rock in the mid-15th century and overlooks the Shannon Estuary. Its history also includes a defining later event: it was destroyed by cannon fire during the Siege of Limerick in 1691. Its construction and destruction mark two distinct stages in the castle’s history. Its location north of the village and its views towards the estuary also make clear that the castle is a nearby, separate site, not part of the village.

Elm Park House and Clarina’s architectural heritage

In Clarina, the former gate lodge of Elm Park House represents another chapter in the area’s history. The building was constructed around 1828. It once provided access to the Elm Park estate, the former residence of Lord Clarina. The gate lodge makes a significant contribution to the village’s architectural heritage: its history connects a specific building with the former estate and its past role as a residence. Elm Park House can therefore be understood as part of Clarina’s architectural past.

Remembering fishing on the Shannon

The Sailor's Haggard commemorates people who travelled through Newtown in Clarina to fish in the tidal waters of the Shannon. A group of local volunteers designed and built the memorial. It also preserves the memory of the local salmon-fishing tradition. Two closely connected aspects are remembered here: the people who travelled to fish and the fishing tradition that forms part of the area’s cultural heritage.

The restored Kilkeedy graveyard and the Tervoe memorial are also of interest to visitors in the area around Clarina. Along with the Sailor's Haggard and the gate lodge of Elm Park House, they complement the castle’s history with other historical and cultural themes. This distinction between Clarina’s own character and nearby places of interest may be useful when choosing a hotel.

More to explore in the wider destination of Limerick

In the wider destination of Limerick, the Limerick Greenway offers a different way to experience the landscape and get active: the 40-kilometre route is traffic-free and designed for walking and cycling. It connects the landscapes of West Limerick with Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. Structures along the Greenway include the 115-metre-long Barnagh Tunnel and Ferguson’s Viaduct, a cast-iron viaduct. These regional attractions sit alongside Clarina’s local history and architecture without replacing them.

The cultural attractions in the wider destination of Limerick also cover more than a single theme. The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum presents Foynes’ role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. A 3D hologram show recreates the evening when Irish coffee was first served in Foynes in 1943; visitors can also sample the drink at its original location. The Hunt Museum displays a collection spanning Neolithic treasures to 20th-century masterpieces, including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats. As a wider destination, Limerick thus encompasses both landscapes and routes and a variety of historical and cultural highlights.

Discover more destinations: Pallasgreen, Reens, Knightstreet, Galbally, Templeglantine, Limerick, Bruff, Newcastle West

Back to the wider travel overview: Limerick.