Clarecastle in Drawings

For over 300 years, Clare Castle, Clare Bridge and Clare Barracks have been drawn by various artists. Some the images are similar, with only tiny differences which adds to the enjoyment in looking at the drawings. Clare Abbey has also been a subject-matter for artists and their drawings recorded the changes in the structure of the Abbey over the centuries.

Drawings of St. Mary’s Church of Ireland have recently become available from the Church Representative Body and these add details to our knowledge of the building which was burned in 1920 and totally removed in 1971.

Clare Castle 1681 by Dineley. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Castle by Gabriel Beranger, drawn between 1760 and 1780. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Castle drawn by Charles Vallancey and engraved by Rev. Joseph Turner, 1794. Note the differences between the two drawings. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Castle engraved by Rev. Joseph Turner and drawn by Charles Vallancey. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Castle allegedly by Westropp c. 1890. Image courtesy of Clare Library

Clare Castle by Westropp c. 1890

Clare Castle by Henry Brocas 1805. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Castle, Co. Clare- Drawn on stone by J.D. Harding from a Sketch by Robert O'Callaghan Newenham 1826. The twin towers are a curiosity. Courtesy of John Power

Detail from Map of the River Fergus 1840

published with permission of the London Hydrological Office.

Westropp sketch c.1890 Courtesy of Clare Library

Clare Abbey 1681 by Dineley. Image courtesy of NLI

Clare Abbey 1794, drawn by H. Pelham and engraved by E.W. Thomson. Print owned by Eric Shaw

Clare Abbey 1862 by Rev. John Louis Petit. Courtesy of Pat & Kitty Quinn

Clare Abbey drawing by William Fraser 1894

NLI

St. Mary's Church of Ireland. Image courtesy of the Church Representative Body

St. Mary's Church of Ireland. Image courtesy of the Church Representative Body.

River Fergus Islands 1681 by Dineley

A painting entitled 'Clare Abbey & Ennis - from G's bedroom window (in Clare Barracks), Nov. 1846- River Fergus, Co. of Clare'. Courtesy of Donal Fitzpatrick