Clare county is divided into 9 baronies, and 79 parish es, most of which are comprehended within the united sees of Killaloc and Kilfcnora. These 79 parishes, in consequence of unions, form only 30 benefices, which too have not all churches. The proportion of the Ca tholics to the Protestants in this county, has not been very precisely ascertained. The gentry are, for the most part, members of the established church. But the gra ziers, who possess very considerable property, both in leases and stock, are said to be all of the Catholic reli gion. Indeed, it has been alleged, that the tenants are universally Catholics ; those who pretend to be protest ants being, in fact, so only in appearance, and from inter ested motives. The Catholics in this county are certain ly very numerous. Two gentlemen of this persuasion are called on the grand jury. The county militia con sists almost entirely of Catholics, with the exception of the officers.
The number of inhabited houses in the county of Clare, was, in the official return of 1791, stated to be 17,396 front which the amount of the population may be con cluded to be about 104,000. Two members represent this county in the house of commons. There is one al so for the burgh of Ennis. This, which is the county town, is situated on the Fergus, and is the only town of note in the shire.
The ancient name of the county of Clare was Tho mond. It was a principality under the O'Briens, descen dants of Brien Boromhc, the King of Ireland, who was slain fighting against the Danes A. D. 1014. One of the
family was acknowledged King of Thomond by Henry III.; and Murrough O'Brien, on resigning the old title of prince, was made Earl of Thomond by Henry VIII. Thomas de Clare, son of the Earl of Gloucester, having come to Ireland in 1276, and settled in this county, had a large portion of it conferred on him in property by its petty prince, or, according to other accounts, by King I. Front him, or some of his family, the coun ty received its p.ent name. It had always been con sidered as a part of MUnbtsr, as is implied in its original appellation ; but when Connaught was divided into coun ties in 1562, Clare was included in their number. As at that time, however, each province had a peculiar go vernor, called lord president, and as the earls of Tho mond, having possessions in other parts of Munster, were mostly connected with it, they obtained, upon their petition, to have the county of Clare again comprehend ed under that province in 1602. In this connection it has since continued, and it bishopric is subordinate to the primacy of Minister.
In the county of Clare there are several interesting remains of antiquity; such as the Ogham inscription on Callan Mount; also various ruins, particularly those of Quin Abbey, and the island of Inis Scattcry. Sec Beau fort; Young ; and Wakefield's Statistical and Politica: account of Ireland, (E)