Love Your County – Clare

As part of our Love Your County series, our focus today is on Clare, whose greatest GAA day ended a certain lady’s curse in 1995.

Sporting moment: 1995 All-Ireland Hurling Final

Of all the great teams of the 1990s in hurling, perhaps Clare were the best of all. They would win a second Liam MacCarthy in 1997 but the 1995 victory was the most special. An alleged curse placed on the team by a local healer called Biddy Early had been the reason for an eight-decade drought in the Banner but a win over Offaly 1-13 to 2-8 ended that. As captain Anthiny Daly said in his brilliant victory speech: “There’s been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years. Well today that person has been found alive and well, and that person’s name is Liam MacCarthy.” Class.

The Cliffs of Moher

Probably Ireland’s greatest natural wonder, the mighty cliffs tower 390ft above the Atlantic and are as breathtaking a place as you will find in the country. It’s no wonder they regularly are touted as one of the wonders of the modern world.

The Burren

Covering 250 sq kilometers, the Burren dominates northwest Clare. You won’t get to see it all but head to the visitor centre in Kilfenora, where thye will sort you out with tours and all the info you need. It’s a pretty good town to have a drink in too.