imported>Declangi: Update population to Census 2022

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Update population to Census 2022

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{{short description|Village in County Clare, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Doonbeg
|native_name = {{lang|ga|An Dún Beag}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|settlement_type = Village
|image_skyline = Doonbeg Bridge.jpg
|image_caption = Doonbeg River flows through Doonbeg village
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Munster]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[County Clare]]
|established_title =
|established_date =
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_as_of = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name=cso2022>{{cite web | title = Census Interactive Map – Towns: Doonbeg | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=156cfda1-76ed-4c75-8c29-9ba648e91ecd | work = [[2022 census of Ireland|Census 2022]] | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] | access-date = 21 April 2025}}</ref>
|population = 279
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone1 = [[West European Time|WET]]
|utc_offset1 = +0
|timezone1_DST = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]] ([[Western European Summer Time|WEST]])
|utc_offset1_DST = -1
|coordinates = {{coord|52|44|N|9|31|W|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m =
|blank_name = [[Irish grid reference system|Irish Grid Reference]]
|blank_info = {{iem4ibx|Q971655}}
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Doonbeg''' ({{Irish place name|An Dún Beag|small fort}})<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/1166067.aspx | publisher = Placenames Database of ireland | website = logainm.ie | title = An Dún Beag / Doonbeg | access-date = 25 January 2021 }}</ref> is a village in west [[County Clare]], Ireland on the Atlantic coast. The surrounding natural environment has supported its development as a tourist resort. The area was officially classified as part of the West Clare [[Gaeltacht]], an [[Irish-speaking]] community, until 1956.

==Location==
[[File:Doonbeg-Church - Stained-glass.jpg|thumb|Stained glass on the front side of the Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven]]
Doonbeg is situated on the [[N67 road (Ireland)|N67]] between the towns of [[Kilkee]] and [[Milltown Malbay]]. The nearest large towns are [[Kilrush]] and Kilkee, which are both approximately {{convert|10|km|0}} away.
[[File:The President and First Lady in Ireland (48051607957).jpg|thumb|US President [[Donald Trump]] boarding a helicopter at his resort in Doonbeg in June 2019]]
The village is located in [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of [[Killard]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/places/killard1845.htm|title=Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland |year=1845|chapter=Killard|access-date=2014-03-31}}</ref> It is part of the parish of [[Doonbeg (Killard)]] in the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe]].

Doonbeg is surrounded by farmland, some of which is used for [[dairy farming]]. There is also an area of bogland near the village. The Doonbeg River flows through the village and enters the [[Atlantic Ocean]] at the nearby Doonbeg Bay.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

==History==
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area include a number of [[ringfort]] sites in the surrounding [[townland]]s of Doonbeg, Doonmore and Mountrivers.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Archaeology-RMP-Clare-Manual-(1997)-0005.pdf | publisher = National Monuments Service | website = archaeology.ie | title = Recorded Monuments Protected under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994 - County Clare | date = 1998 | access-date = 27 January 2021 }}</ref>

A settlement has existed at the site of the current village, at the river crossing in Doonbeg townland, since medieval times. The village name ''Dun Beag'', or small fort, may refer to Doonbeg Castle or an earlier fortification located at the river crossing. Now in ruin, Doonbeg Castle was built in the 16th century, and has been historically associated with the MacMahon and [[O'Brien dynasty|O'Brien]] clans.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://doonbeg.info/history-heritage/| publisher = Doonbeg Community Development Ltd | website = doonbeg.info | title = History & Heritage | access-date = 27 January 2021 }}</ref>

==Amenities==
The village holds the church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.killaloediocese.ie/parish/doonbeg-killard/church.html |title=Doonbeg (Killard) |access-date=2014-03-31 |publisher=Diocese of Killaloe |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060228/http://www.killaloediocese.ie/parish/doonbeg-killard/church.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
It is a modern church, noteworthy for the stained-glass windows that are uniquely designed so that the various colours illuminate the altar throughout the day. The church was built in 1976 and has an uncommon octagonal shape. It replaced the older cross-shaped church that was built in 1813.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.doonbeginfo.com/doonbegchurch.html | website = doonbeginfo.com | title = Doonbeg Church | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927041330/http://www.doonbeginfo.com/doonbegchurch.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref>

Doonbeg also has several pubs, Doonbeg National School, two shops, a post office and a village hall and a tourist office.
The central point of the village is an early 19th-century seven-arched stone bridge which crosses the [[Doonbeg River]] and divides the village.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20404701/doonbeg-bridge-doonbeg-co-clare | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | website = buildingsofireland.ie | title = Doonbeg Bridge, Doonbeg, Clare | access-date = 25 January 2021 }}</ref> The crossing is overlooked by the remaining fortifications of Doonbeg castle.

==Transport==
[[Bus Éireann]] route number 333 links the village to [[Ennis]] via [[Lahinch]] and [[Kilfenora]] with one journey each way daily except Sundays. Onward rail and bus services are available at Ennis. There is also a Tuesday only route 333 to [[Kilrush]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.buseireann.ie| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000302170900/http://www.buseireann.ie/| archive-date = 2000-03-02| title = Bus ireann - National Bus Company of Ireland}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[Gaelic football]] is popular in Doonbeg. The main playing area is the Shanahan McNamara Memorial grounds which are located outside the village. [[Doonbeg GAA]] is among the most successful Gaelic football clubs in the [[Clare Senior Football Championship]], having won 18 county titles. Doonbeg's football team is known as "The Magpies" because of the black and white shirts which are traditionally worn.

[[Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland]], formerly Doonbeg Golf Club, is situated outside the village.

Doonbeg is home to one of Clare's best-known surf beaches, known locally as "Doughmore". The beach includes hazards such as strong [[rip current]]s and has been signposted as "dangerous for bathing" by Clare County Council. The beach runs parallel to Doonbeg Golf Course which must be crossed in order to get onto the beach.

==Tourism==
Cultural events in the village and area include the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend (in October), a jazz festival (in June), and the West Clare Drama Festival (which was established in 1962).{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

In the outlying parish, scenic areas include the cliffs of [[Ballard, County Clare|Ballard]] and Killard and the White Strand beach which is located in the townland of Killard. Surfing has become common in recent times along the northern coastline of the parish.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

[[File:Pat-McDonald-Memorial,-White-Strand,-Doonbeg.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pat McDonald (athlete)|Pat McDonald]] Memorial at White Strand, Doonbeg]]
[[File:Doonbeg Doughmore Beach in Autumn 2009.JPG|thumb|Surfers survey the waves at Doonbeg (Doughmore) beach.]]

The White Strand beach in Killard attracts visitors during the summer. Nearby there is a monument to [[Pat McDonald (athlete)|Pat McDonald]] who was born in Killard and won an Olympic Gold Medal representing the US in Men's Shot Put. When he won his Olympic gold medal in 1920, he was aged 42, making him the oldest Olympic track & field champion ever.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mc/pat-mcdonald-1.html/ | website = sports-reference.com | title = Olympics - Athletes - Pat McDonald| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081223134901/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mc/pat-mcdonald-1.html |archive-date=2008-12-23 }}</ref>

There are picnic areas on the banks of the river near the bridge. Fishing is also possible in the river and around the coastal area of Doonbeg, with shore fishing from the Blue Pool in [[Ballard, County Clare|Ballard]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

==Notable people==
{{See also|Category:People from Doonbeg}}
*[[David Tubridy]] – [[Clare county football team|Clare]] footballer who became top scorer in [[National Football League (Ireland)|National Football League]] history against [[Cork county football team|Cork]] in May 2021<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/tubridys-record-haul-cannot-stop-rebels-but-banner-qualify-with-division-1-now-in-their-sights-40485726.html|title=Tubridy's record haul cannot stop Rebels but Banner qualify with Division 1 now in their sights|work=Irish Independent|date=31 May 2021}}</ref> his total score in the competition after this game (22–412, i.e. 478 points) causing him to overtake [[Mickey Kearins]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/banner-hero-david-tubridy-already-has-more-history-in-his-sights-afterbecoming-highest-league-scorer-of-all-time-40489919.html|title=Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time|work=Irish Independent|date=1 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="star-spangled Banner">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/star-spangled-banner-doonbeg-publican-and-veteran-forward-david-tubridy-on-a-potential-final-hurrah-today-41788418.html|title=Star-spangled Banner|work=Irish Independent|first=Donnchadh|last=Boyle|date=25 June 2022|pages=6–7 (Sport)|quote=What is probably lost on most visitors is that Doonbeg is also home to the most prolific forward league football has ever seen… Tommy Tubridy, David's father and himself a former Clare footballer… Under [manager Colm] Collins, [David] Tubridy became the top scorer in the history of the National League, a testament to his talent, durability and dedication. To mark the achievement, the hotel honoured him with a lifetime membership of the golf club.}}</ref>
*[[Tommy Tubridy]] – Clare footballer and father of David<ref name="star-spangled Banner"/>
*[[Barney McMahon]] – Brigadier General, Irish Air Corps<ref>{{cite news |title=Courageous airman who led by example |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007020646/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/courageous-airman-who-led-by-example-1.679528 |access-date=4 June 2024 |agency=Obituaries |publisher=The Irish Times |date=20 November 2010}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{County Clare}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns and villages in County Clare]]

Doonbeg - Revision history

imported>Declangi: Update population to Census 2022