Newmarket-on-Fergus

Newmarket-on-Fergus is a village in County Clare, Ireland, situated near the River Shannon and close to the Shannon Airport. The village is home to Dromoland Castle, the ancestral home of the O'Brien dynasty, direct descendants of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Newmarket-on-Fergus is also near the Cliffs of Moher, a popular tourist destination, and the Burren National Park, a unique Karst landscape featuring rare Alpine plants and Arctic plants. The village has a strong connection to the Dál gCais kingdom, which played a significant role in Irish history, including the Battle of Clontarf and the Norman invasion of Ireland.

● History

The history of Newmarket-on-Fergus dates back to the Middle Ages, with the village being an important center for the O'Brien dynasty, who built Dromoland Castle in the 16th century. The castle has been the residence of the Barons of Inchiquin and is now a luxury hotel, hosting many notable guests, including Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, and Muhammad Ali. The village has also been associated with the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Williamite War in Ireland, and the Irish War of Independence, with many local figures playing key roles, such as Michael Brennan (Irish politician), a member of the First Dáil, and Éamon de Valera, a leading figure in the Easter Rising and the Irish Civil War. Newmarket-on-Fergus is also near the Battle of Dysert O'Dea, a significant battle fought during the Norman invasion of Ireland, which involved the Kingdom of Thomond and the Lordship of Ireland.

● Geography

Newmarket-on-Fergus is situated in the Mid-West Region, Ireland, near the River Shannon and the Shannon Estuary, which is an important habitat for Atlantic salmon and other marine species. The village is close to the Cliffs of Moher, a popular tourist destination, and the Burren National Park, a unique Karst landscape featuring rare Alpine plants and Arctic plants. The area is also home to several Special Areas of Conservation, including the Dromoland Nature Reserve and the Shannon Estuary Special Area of Conservation, which are protected under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. Newmarket-on-Fergus is near the Galway Bay, a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, and the Aran Islands, a popular tourist destination known for their unique Celtic culture and Irish language heritage.

● Demographics

As of the 2016 census, the population of Newmarket-on-Fergus was 1851, with the village having a mix of young and old residents, including families and retirees. The village has a strong sense of community, with many local organizations, such as the Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA club, which competes in the Clare Senior Football Championship and the Munster Senior Club Football Championship. The village is also home to several Community councils, including the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Council, which works to promote the village and its surroundings, including the Dromoland Castle and the Shannon Airport. Newmarket-on-Fergus has a high percentage of residents who commute to nearby towns, such as Ennis, County Clare, Limerick, and Shannon, County Clare, which are major employment centers in the Mid-West Region, Ireland.

● Economy

The economy of Newmarket-on-Fergus is driven by a mix of industries, including Tourism, Agriculture, and Manufacturing. The village is home to several hotels, including the Dromoland Castle hotel, which employs many local residents and attracts tourists from around the world, including visitors to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park. The area is also known for its Dairy farming and Beef farming, with many local farms supplying produce to companies such as Dairygold and Kerry Group. Newmarket-on-Fergus is near the Shannon Free Zone, a major industrial park that is home to many multinational companies, including Intel, Dell, and Johnson & Johnson, which provide employment opportunities for local residents.

● Culture

Newmarket-on-Fergus has a rich cultural heritage, with many local festivals and events, including the Newmarket-on-Fergus Festival, which celebrates the village's history and culture, and the Dromoland Castle summer festival, which features music, food, and entertainment. The village is also home to several Traditional Irish music sessions, which take place in local pubs, such as the Dromoland Inn and the Old Ground Hotel. Newmarket-on-Fergus is near the University of Limerick, which has a strong focus on Irish studies and Celtic studies, and the Limerick Institute of Technology, which offers courses in Hospitality management and Tourism management. The village is also associated with many notable figures, including William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, and John Millington Synge, who were all involved in the Irish Literary Revival.

● Transport

Newmarket-on-Fergus is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, with regular Bus Éireann services to Ennis, County Clare, Limerick, and Shannon, County Clare. The village is also near the M18 motorway, which connects to the M7 motorway and the M50 motorway, providing easy access to Dublin and other major cities. Newmarket-on-Fergus is close to the Shannon Airport, which offers flights to destinations in Europe and North America, including London Heathrow Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. The village is also near the West Clare Railway, a heritage railway that runs between Ennis, County Clare and Kilrush, and the Shannon Ferry, which connects Kilrush to Tarbert, County Kerry.