I’ve always enjoyed reading English travel writer’s views on Ireland’s landscape, buildings and people as they traversed the country in the late 18th and early 19th century. They can be bullishly boorish, overly dramatic or just plain blunt. The ordnance survey letters of John O’Donovan and Eugene Curry (1839) state, “The old Church of Clooney is not one of much antiquity nor antiquarian interest “. ‘The History and Topography of the County of Clare (1893)’ by James Frost also seems to show little interest in Clooney church, “The building is in good preservation and presents no characteristic requiring description here”. Despite the writings of the above I was enamoured enough by this little building to pay it a visit. Clooney Church was built in the 15th century and was more than likely associated with the castle ruin nearby. The church measures 18 metres by 6 metres, the south wall containing a beautiful pointed doorway. Clooney church is situated in the barony of Bunratty Upper.

GPS: 52.85351, -8.8595