Kilkee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kilkee
Irish: Cill Chaoi
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Town
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 Kilkee
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland | |
| Province | Munster | |
| County | County Clare | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.24 km2 (2.02 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 20 m (70 ft) | |
| Population
(2016)
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972 | |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (WET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) | |
| Eircode routing key |
V15
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| Telephone area code | +353(0)65 | |
| Irish Grid Reference | Q885601 | |
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1821 | 409 | — |
| 1831 | 1,051 | +157.0% |
| 1841 | 1,481 | +40.9% |
| 1851 | 1,860 | +25.6% |
| 1861 | 1,856 | −0.2% |
| 1871 | 1,605 | −13.5% |
| 1881 | 1,652 | +2.9% |
| 1891 | 1,839 | +11.3% |
| 1901 | 1,762 | −4.2% |
| 1911 | 1,688 | −4.2% |
| 1926 | 1,682 | −0.4% |
| 1936 | 1,863 | +10.8% |
| 1946 | 1,804 | −3.2% |
| 1951 | 1,677 | −7.0% |
| 1956 | 1,565 | −6.7% |
| 1961 | 1,392 | −11.1% |
| 1966 | 1,377 | −1.1% |
| 1971 | 1,287 | −6.5% |
| 1981 | 1,389 | +7.9% |
| 1986 | 1,448 | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 1,315 | −9.2% |
| 1996 | 1,331 | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 1,260 | −5.3% |
| 2006 | 1,325 | +5.2% |
| 2011 | 1,024 | −22.7% |
| 2016 | 972 | −5.1% |
Kilkee (pronounced 'Kill-KEE') is a lovely small town right by the sea in County Clare, Ireland. It's known as a popular place for holidays and is part of the Kilkee parish. The town sits on a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay. A natural reef called Duggerna helps protect the bay from the big waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Kilkee is located on the N67 road, between the towns of Kilrush and Doonbeg.
Contents
Kilkee's Past: A Seaside Story
Long ago, in the early 1800s, Kilkee was just a small village where people fished. But then, in the 1820s, a special boat called a paddle steamer started bringing visitors from Limerick to Kilrush. From there, people could travel to Kilkee.
Since then, Kilkee has been a popular holiday spot. It was even featured on the front page of The Illustrated London News as a top place for swimming in the sea. As more people wanted holiday homes by the sea, the town grew quickly in the 1830s. Many hotels were built to welcome visitors. Three churches were also built: a Catholic church in 1831, a Protestant church in 1843, and a Methodist church in 1900. This shows how many different kinds of people came to Kilkee.
Kilkee During the Famine
During the sad time of the Irish Famine in the mid-1800s, people still wrote about Kilkee. One writer, John Manners, described Kilkee as a charming place with small white cottages. He noted how popular the beach was, even though it could be crowded and the waves were strong.
Another writer, Sydney Godolphin Osborne, praised Kilkee's amazing natural beauty. He wrote about the wild cliffs and the powerful Atlantic waves crashing against them, creating a magnificent sight.
Shipwrecks Near Kilkee
The coast near Kilkee has seen some shipwrecks over the years:
- On January 30, 1836, the Intrinsic from Liverpool sank near Bishops Island. All 14 crew members were lost. This spot is now called 'Intrinsic Bay'.
- On November 19, 1850, the Edmond sank at Edmond Point. It was sailing from Limerick to New York City but was caught in a storm. Sadly, 98 of the 216 people on board drowned.
- Exactly 50 years after the Intrinsic sank, on January 30, 1886, the Fulmar sank north of Kilkee. It was carrying coal from Troon in Scotland to Limerick. Only one body of the 17 crew members was ever found.
- In late December 1894, the Inishtrahull went missing near Kilkee while carrying coal from Glasgow. It was only confirmed to have sunk in 1985 when a piece of the ship was found by coastguards.
Kilkee's Golden Age
In the 1890s, Kilkee became even more popular when the West Clare Railway opened. This made it much easier and faster for people and goods to travel to and from the town. Many famous people visited Kilkee, including writers like Charlotte Brontë and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Even the Crown Princess of Austria came to visit in 1896. The famous entertainer Percy French often performed in Kilkee. An event on the West Clare Railway inspired him to write his well-known song, "Are Ye Right There Michael".
Kilkee's beach has often received the Blue Flag award from the European Commission, which means it's a very clean and safe beach. In 2006, a statue of the famous actor Richard Harris was put up in Kilkee. Actor Russell Crowe helped unveil it.
Fun Things to Do in Kilkee
Kilkee is one of Ireland's oldest and most loved seaside resorts. It's still very popular today, with many families returning for generations. Besides the beautiful beach, which is known as one of the safest in Ireland for kids, there are many other activities to enjoy.
Water Adventures
- Diving: Many people come to Kilkee from all over the world to dive. They explore the amazing fish and rock formations underwater. There's an active Scuba Diving Club for those who love to dive.
- Water Sports: You can try canoeing and paddle boarding. During the summer, you can even take lessons to learn these sports.
- Natural Pools: The Pollock Holes, also called Duggerna Reef, are three natural rock pools. The tide changes the water in these pools, bringing in fresh water and new marine life.
- Diving Boards: At New Found Out, there are diving boards up to 13 meters (45 feet) high, where you can dive into the open sea. An annual diving competition is held here.
- Bay Swim: Every year, many people take part in the Bay Swim, a race across the bay. There's also a mini bay swim for children under 14.
- Whale and Dolphin Watching: You can often spot whales and dolphins in the Atlantic waters around Kilkee.
Land Activities
- Walking: Kilkee is great for walkers, with many paths stretching out from the bay. The most popular is the cliff walk, which offers amazing views. Actor Russell Crowe once said it was the finest public walk in the world!
- Golf: The East End of town has an 18-hole golf course. The first few holes offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Racquetball: A unique version of racquetball has been played against the high sandstone walls in the West End for many years. The main trophy, the Tivoli Cup, was first competed for in Kilkee in 1935. The famous actor Richard Harris won this cup four years in a row, from 1948 to 1951.
- Strand Races: These are horse races held every year on Kilkee beach in September. The course is set up on the sand when the tide goes out. It's a traditional celebration for farmers after the harvest season.
- Gaelic Games: Kilkee has a strong tradition in GAA sports. The local team is called St. Senan's. They have won many county championships in Gaelic football.
Kilkee's Growth
In recent years, during a time of fast economic growth in Ireland called the 'Celtic Tiger', Kilkee grew a lot. New hotels, housing estates, and other buildings were developed. Tourism is still the main way the town earns money, so there are many restaurants, pubs, and cafés for visitors to enjoy.
Getting to Kilkee
Before the West Clare Railway opened in 1887, the only way to reach Kilkee was by paddle steamer from Limerick to Kilrush, and then by horse and cart from there. This steamer service ran until 1918.
After the railway closed in 1961, most people traveled to Kilkee by car. Today, you can still get a train as far as Ennis from Limerick or Galway. From Ennis, Bus Éireann offers bus routes to Kilkee, Kilrush, and Limerick (which connects to Shannon Airport). You can also connect to buses or trains to Cork or even Dublin.
For visitors coming from other countries, the closest airport is Shannon Airport. It has flights to Europe, the US, and Canada.
Images for kids
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Kilkee cliffs
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In Spanish: Kilkee para niños
