is maintained, from which a constant supply of the
excellent Red Bank oysters is furnished to the Dublin and other large
markets. Crabs and lobsters are caught on the shores of the Bay of
Galway in every creek from Black Head to Ardfry. In addition to the
Shannon salmon fishery mentioned above, eels abound in every rivulet,
and form an important article of consumption.

The Great Southern & Western railway line from Limerick to Sligo
intersects the centre of the county from north to south. From Ennis on
this line the West Clare railway runs to Ennistimon on the coast, where
it turns south and follows the coast by Milltown Malbay to Kilkee and
Kilrush. Killaloe in the east of the county is the terminus of a branch
of the Great Southern & Western railway.

_Population and Administration._--The population (126,244 in 1891;
112,334 in 1901; almost wholly Roman Catholic and rural) shows a
decrease among the most serious of the Irish counties, and the
emigration returns are proportionately heavy. The principal towns, all
of insignificant size, are Ennis (pop. 5093, the county town), Kilrush
(4179), Kilkee (1661) and Killaloe (885); but several of the smaller
settlements, as resorts, are of more than local importance. The county,
which is divided into 11 baronies, contains 79 parishes, and includes
the Protestant diocese of Kilfenora, the greater part of Killaloe, and a
very small portion of the diocese of Limerick. It is within the Roman
Catholic dioceses of Killaloe and Limerick. The assizes are held at
Ennis, and quarter sessions here and at Ennistimon, Killaloe, Kilrush
and Tulla. The county is divided into the East and West parliamentary
divisions, each returning one member.

_History._--This county, together with part of the neighbouring
district, was anciently called Thomond, that is, North Munster, and
formed part of the monarchy of the celebrated Brian Boroihme, who held
his court at Kincora near Killaloe, where his palace was situated on the
banks of the Shannon. The site is still distinguished by extensive
earthen ramparts. Settlements were effected by the Danes, and in the
13th century by the Anglo-Normans, but without permanently affecting the
possession of the district by its native proprietors. In 1543 Murrogh
O'Brien, after dispossessing his nephew and vainly attempting a
rebellion against the English rule, proceeded to England and submitted
to Henry VIII., resigning his name and possessions. He soon receive