Liscannor () is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland. It is located between Lahinch and Doolin, close to the Cliffs of Moher. As of the 2022 census it had a population of 135.
History
Liscannor Castle|thumb
Liscannor probably takes its name from an old fort that was located here.
The village of Liscannor is of late 18th century origin. According to an 1814 survey there were nearly 200 houses in it at the time, and about ten of them had flag roofs. 40 houses were used by fishermen.
Whilst there was once a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) around Liscannor, by 1956 the loss of native speakers meant that it could no longer be considered as such.
Points of interest
Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher|thumb
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor attractions, and include a protected colony of cliff-nesting seabirds. The area was designated as a Refuge for Fauna in 1988, and as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive in 1989.
Kilmacreehy Church and graveyard
Kilmacreehy Church|thumb
Cill MacCreiche (Kilmacreehy Church) is first documented in the 14th century, but some of the church's structures, including its Gothic ornamentation, are later additions.
Liscannor Castle
Liscannor Castle was an O'Connor stronghold which, like Dough Castle, later passed to the O'Briens. In 1712, the Earl of Thomond let the estate to William Fitzgerald (annual rent £14). Under the Fitzgerald family, the town began to grow in the later 18th century.
The well has been a pilgrimage site since at least the 1830s, when following a personal cure which he attributed to the waters of the well, Cornelius O'Brien had the well house built.
In modern times, the harbour has a number of fishing vessels moored there as well as smaller boats using it is a launching site for sea fishing/recreational sports. During summer months there is also a ferry service to the base of the Cliffs of Moher as well as to the Aran Islands.
In the past the harbour was a hub for fishing vessels as well as a location to export locally quarried Liscannor Stone and to receive in coal supplies. Some historical documents note that due to the silting of the harbour, ships could only carry approximately 380 tonnes into port. At low tides ships had to be winched into harbour. A currach would bring the rope out to the ship. Locally quarried flag was cut and polished beside the harbour and winched onto ships by steam crane. These slabs were transported to several British cities.
John P. Holland memorials<span class="anchor" id="John P. Holland Centre"></span>
The engineer John Philip Holland (1841–1914), who was born in Liscannor, developed some of the first submarines commissioned by the US Navy, Japanese Navy and Royal Navy. Castle Street, on which Holland was born, was renamed 'Holland Street' in his honour.
There are several memorials to Holland in the area, including one erected on the 50th anniversary of his death in 1964.
A visitor centre, the John P. Holland Centre, opened in 2016. A statue of Holland, originally on public display on Liscannor's Main Street, was moved into the centre, alongside displays about his life and work with submarines.
Churches
St. Brigid's Church
St. Brigids Church|thumb
left|upright|Inside of St. Brigids Church 1960s|thumb
St Brigid's Church in Liscannor was built in 1858. It is a single-cell, four-bay church built of rubble masonry. A new roof was later added but the gallery, y-mullioned windows and semi-Tudor door were retained. Although the construction of a round tower was suggested in the 1920s, this Touheran tower which would have housed the bell as well as cottage industries on the lower floors was never built.
Notable people
- Cornelius O'Brien (1782–1857), Member of Parliament
- John Philip Holland (1840–1914), inventor of the modern submarine