It is 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Ennis, and contains the town of Clarecastle (or simply Clare).

[3] The parish contains the townlands of Ballaghafadda (East), Ballaghafadda (West), Ballybeg, Ballyveskil, Ballyvonnavaun, Barntick, Buncraggy, Carrowgar, Carrownanelly, Clareabbey, Clare Commons, Clarehill, Creggaunnahilla, Derreen, Feagh, Islandavanna Lower (Intake), Islandavanna Upper (Intake), Islandmagrath, Killow, Knockanimana, Lissan East, Lissan West, Manusmore and Skehanagh.

[4] The parish was the seat of the Augustinian Clare Abbey, which Donald O’Brien, King of Limerick, founded in 1195.

After the suppression of the monastery in 1543 the parish lands were given to the barons of Ibrackan by King Henry VIII of England.

[2] According to Thomas Moland, writing in 1703, "Clare was formerly ye county town, now very poor and little, consists of one old stone house, out of repair, a stone walled thatched house, where in Mr. Stammers now lives, an Ale House or Inn, and about 17 other small tenements and gardens worth about 30 shillings a piece, one with another per annum and 2 fairs are held here yearly, the best in ye county in peaceable times, worth £10 or £12 each fair per annum".