Quin
| Quin Irish: Cuinche | |
| County Clare | |
|---|---|
 The ruins of the former parish church, with Quin Abbey beyond | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | R417742 |
| Location: | 52°49’6"N, 8°51’55"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 935 (2011) |
| Local Government | |
| Dáil constituency: |
Clare |
Quin is a village in the south-east of County Clare. Its name is from the Irish Cuinche, meaning "Five ways", which is a reference to the original five roads out of the village. The village is located in a district sometimes known as Plassey.
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, of which the foundations of three corner towers can still be seen.
About the village
The parish of Quin is in the Bunratty Upper barony.[1] It is five and a half miles from the county town, Ennis.
The parish held 7,290 statute acres in 1837, as plotted under the Tithe Act. There was a productive lead mine at Ballyhickey. The ore was taken to Clarecastle for shipment to Great Britain.
The River Rine runs through 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.
Townlands hereabouts are: Applefort, Ballagh, Ballyhannan North, Ballyhannan South, Ballyhickey, Ballykilty (also known as Plassey), 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.[2]
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.
Quin is first mentioned as a village in the days of the Norman Castle which preceded the Abbey. An abbey was founded in Quin around 1250, but was burned down in 1278. De Clare built a castle in 1280. This was attacked and destroyed, the present church was built on the site (c.1350), incorporating some parts of the castle ruins.
A new monastery, Quin Abbey, was founded in 1433 and housed Franciscan friars until it was closed at the Reformation. Remarkably, it reopened under Roman Catholic patrons, the MacNamaras, even after the Cromwellian destruction, until closed in 1760, though the last monk, John Hogan, was allowed to remain untl his death in 1820. His burial site can be visited in the Abbey.
It is believed that a fair was established in Quin perhaps in the Middle Ages, as it is reported that news of the Great Rebellion of 1641 was first announced in County Clare "at the great fair of Quin".
Sport
- Clooney Quin GAA, founded in 1888[3]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Quin) |
