Parish of Kilnaboy (i)

There is a square court yard a little to the south of Kilnaboy Church, thirty yards by twenty four, the walls thirteen feet high with remains of two square Towers at the northwest and northeast angles. The entrance is by a pointed doorway in the middle of the north wall and a chimney and gable remain on the same wall to the west, and traces of a large dwelling place along the south wall from this on the inside. Tradition says that this was the dwelling place of the great De Clare before his expulsion and subsequent death by the O’Deas. They call it Cobhail an Chlaraigh Mhuair, or the great De Clare’s Ruins. This story has no authentic proof, nor have I yet met any other authority for giving De Clare any other residence in Clare than Bunratty Castle. (Examine the authorities - Cathroim - again on this subject. E. Curry, 1841).