Biddy Belfast

Top: Image of Doonbeg Bridge and Castle in 1903 Bottom:Image of Doonbeg Bridge and Castle today
Plaque at Doonbeg Bridge
Robert Brown
Ruins of Doonbeg Castle
Robert Brown

A County Clare Cave Dweller.

11/12/1903. The death this week in the Kilrush Hospital of a remarkable old lady with the peculiar cognomen of “Biddy Belfast” removes a figure that during her life gained some notoriety in West Clare by reason of the extraordinary dwelling place she selected and occupied for a number of years. Her home was a deep recess between two arches of the bridge in the ancient village of Doonbeg.

It may be mentioned that at Doonbeg also there still dwells an extraordinary old women called “Biddy Thunder” as she is styled locally , who lives high up in the tower of the ruined castle “Dun Mor” facing the Atlantic.

The Plaque erected by the Kilrush District Historical Society shows that the dwelling place was also used during the famine by Widows O’Donnel and family in 1849.

The picture of the bridge taken in 1903 shows the dwelling place on the far right hand side.

Notice also the structure of the castle in 1903 and you can see how it was used as a dwelling place.

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