Clondra
Brief History of Clondra
Clondra is a waterside village situated on the banks of the rivers Shannon and Camlin. At its heart is Richmond Harbour , the terminus of the Royal canal.
An old abbey dating from the 12th century stands beside the present church and two gravestones from the 5th century are located beside the church. The old corn mill, now a tannery has provided employment for more than 200 years and its produce was shipped from Richmond Harbour by barge to major towns and cities. The harbour was also the embarkation point for passengers emigrating to America during famine times.
ATTRACTIONS
The Abbey
The Abbey which was probably an early monastic settlement, was built in the late 12th century although the lower part of the walls and foundations suggest an earlier church, perhaps 9th century. The south end suggests rebuilding carried out perhaps in the 15th century. It is referred to in the “Annals of the Four Masters”, and the “Clans of Ireland” reports the death in 1323 of Giolla Airnin O’Casey, Erenach (man in charge or steward) of the church in Cluan Dha Rath.
Ancient Gravestones
The old ancient carved gravestones in old Irish, outside Clondra Church are reputed to be 5th century. Attempts were made some years ago to remove them to the National Museum in Dublin but this was resisted by the local community who felt they should remain “in situ”.
Richmond harbour
The harbour is situated on the River Camlin near its junction with the River Shannon. It is connected by the 46th lock with the terminus of the Royal Canal. The Richmond Inn was previously a flax mill and the private houses along the harbour were previously managers’ houses and offices. The flax was transported by barge from Richmond Harbour to Dublin via canal. Passengers also embarked here in famine times to begin their long journeys to the “New World”.
Richmond Mill
The mill, which is now a tannery was started as a corn mill from 1771 to 1827 when it was converted to a whiskey distillery, producing between 70,000 and 80,000 gallons annually. Power was produced by the use of the mill-wheel. The mill reverted to producing corn during the Fr Matthew temperence crusade in 1843.
Richmond Inn
The Richmond Inn was once used as a flax mill. A nearby field, ‘the bleach’ was used for growing flax. The flax was soaked in water and left to dry in the field. The houses alongside the Richmond Inn towards the lock keepers house were originally the homes of the mill workers.