The small village of O'Brien's Bridge has two bridges, one of modern
construction over the canal, and the older stone bridge over the river.
The flow of the river is obstructed by a massive weir diverting much of
it into an artificial canal headed for the hydroelectric works at Ardnacrusha.
O'Brien's Bridge is a noted centre for coarse angling and one can take
enjoyable walks along the old river.
The village is overshadowed by the Bernagh Mountains, which are ideal for
hill walking and cycling.
Scenic Doon Lake near by has excellent fishing and there is publicly owned
picnic and boating places.
Violet Hill to the north of the village contains mature specimens of beech,
oak and other hardwoods.
(Fiacal - a tooth or sharp crag)
Set in the southern foothills of the Slieve Aughty mountains and surrounded
by rolling country, sprinkled with small lakes, some of which give good
fishing.
Feakle is doubly famous as the home of Biddy Early, the wise
woman or witch (whose cottage has been restored) and as the spot where
the poet and hedge school-master, Brian Merriman wrote an epic poem in
Irish entitled, Cuirt an Mhean Oíche, (The Midnight Court).
The Merriman Society has erected a monument to his memory in the local
graveyard where he is buried.
Merriman wrote the poem whist sitting besides idyllic Lough Graney, 3 km
from the village, is an excellent spot for angling. In fact, the widespread
lake area between Feakle and Corofin has been renowned for its angling
and is known as the Clare Lakelands.
The area, joining Loughs Atorick and Graney is a nature reserve, which
boasts majestic oakwoods - a wonderful place for a forest walk.
Feakle International Music Festival in August offers a wide variety of workshops, festival sessions and open air concerts
Flagmount is a pretty village giving good views of the Lough Graney
with a background of mountains. The road to Woodford takes the high
around over the Slieve Aughty Mountains from which some spectacular
scenery may be observed. Lough Atorick is a small lake but is noted for
its fishing.
Previous Next
|
