Quin, County Clare


Quin is a village in southeast County Clare in Ireland and a Catholic parish and civil parish of the same name. The main attraction, Quin Abbey, is open to the public, and although mostly ruined, much of the structure remains. The abbey was built on the foundations of an earlier Norman castle, and the foundations of three corner towers can still be seen. The name of the village is a reference in ancient Irish to the original five roads out of the village. The village is located in a district sometimes known as Plassey.

Location

The parish of Quin is in the Bunratty Upper barony.
It is from Ennis.
The parish held 7,290 statute acres in 1837, as applotted under the tithe act.
There was a productive lead mine at Ballyhickey. The ore was taken to Clarecastle for shipment to Wales.
The River Rine runs through the village of Quin. Knappogue Castle is two miles from the village.
Quin abbey is considered to be one of the finest and most complete remains of monastic antiquity in Ireland.
In 1837 the parish had a small plain church of the Church of Ireland, built in 1797.
A new Catholic chapel was being built in Gothic style.
The parish is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe.
Churches are the Blessed John XXIII in Clooney, St Mary's in Quin and St Stephen's in Maghera,
Townlands are Applefort, Ballagh, Ballyhannan North, Ballyhannan South, Ballyhickey, Ballykilty, Ballymacloon East, Ballymacloon North, Ballymacloon West, Ballymarkahan, Ballyroughan North, Ballyroughan South, Cahercalla, Cant, Carnmallow, Carrowgar, Carrowmeer, Carrowroe, Cloonaherna, Coogaun, Coolshamroge, Commons, Cragbwee, Craggataska, Craggaunowen, Creevagh Beg, Creevagh More, Cullenagh, Cullaun, Cutteen, Dangan, Danganbrack, Deerpark North, Deerpark South, Feaghquin, Gorteen, Keevagh, Kildrum, Kilnacrandy, Knocknagoug, Knappogue, Madara, Quin, Quingardens, Quinville North, Quinville South, Rathluby, Rine, Rinneen and Shandangan.

History

Some of the most important Prehistoric Gold works in Ireland were found in Quin.
The countryside around the village of Quin has many archaeological remains, most notably the Franciscan friary.
An abbey was founded in Quin around 1250, but was burned down in 1278. De Clare built a castle in 1280 A.D. This was attacked and destroyed, the present church was built on the site, incorporating some parts of the castle ruins.
Quin is first mentioned as a village in the days of the Norman Castle which preceded the Abbey.
Quin Abbey was founded in 1433 and housed many Franciscan friars until 1820 when the last monk, Father Hogan, died. His Burial Site can be visited in the Abbey.
News of the Great Rebellion of 1641 was first announced in Co. Clare "at the great fair of Quin", which must have been a big event in the county of those days.

Demographics

As of 1831 there were 2,918 inhabitants, of whom 173 lived in the village.
According to a 2002 Census, Quin had a population of 853. By 2006, the population had grown to around 1,048. In the 2011 census the population had increased to 1,454.

Sport

was founded in 1888. Players for the Clooney/Quin club include Amby Power, who captained the Clare 1914 All-Ireland winning team.

Notable people