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**Newmarket-on-Fergus**
	Newmarket-on-Fergus; Cora Chaitlín
	Location
Coordinates:; 52°45′35″N 8°53′37″W / 52.7597°N 8.8935°W
Irish grid reference; R391682
	Statistics
Province:	Munster
County:	County Clare
Elevation:	20 m (66 ft)
Population (2006)	1,542

Newmarket-on-Fergus, historically known as Corracatlin^[1] (from the Irish: Cora Chaitlín meaning "Caitlín's weir"), is a town^[2] in County Clare, Ireland.

[edit] History

One of the earliest known references to the area was in the Book of Survey and Distribution written in 1636 by James Frost. In it he mentions the main land owners of the area, among them the Earl of Thomond.

There is also mention of Bonratty (later Bunratty) of which Newmarket was in the Barony of, in a 1574 document written by Edward White. His document was written to give an accurate account of the lands of Thomond of which at the time there had been several incorrect descriptions made.

The Parish of Newmarket -on- Fergus is a union of seven ancient parishes: Bunratty, Fenloe, Kilnasoolagh, Drumline, Clonloghan, Kilconry and Kilmaleery. During the Penal Law period of 1744, the High Sheriff of Clare, John Westropp, had all the Churches in these seven Parishes closed.

In the Spring of 2007, six skeletal remains were foung during the archaeological monitoring of improvement works to a local water network near Barnhill, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Dating showed that the remains were Pre-Christian.

[edit] Geography

The town is situated about 10km from Ennis. As its name implies, it lies on the River Fergus. The main N18 Limerick–Ennis road passed through Newmarket until the town was bypassed in 2003. That main bypass road was renamed as the M18 on August 28th 2009 as part of a national programme to increase the amount of motorways available to road users.

There are many housing estates such a Killinasoolagh Park, Avondale, Glenafrain, Gleanncora, Lough Gash, Glencragga, Boheraroan and Goodwood. Outlaying Townlands include Knocknagun, Orlan, Lemenagh More, Lemenagh Beg, Killula and Cooleen.

Neighbouring towns and villages include Clarecastle, Ennis, Cratloe, Sixmilebridge, Quin and Shannon.

In the centre of Kilnasoolagh Park is Lough Gash, a turlough of considerable size. It is one of the bigger ones in Clare and one of a few in Newmarket itself.

[edit] People

Its population was given in the 2006 census as 1,542. It is the birthplace of Irish nationalist William Smith O'Brien and Irish TD Michael D. Higgins, though born in Limerick, was eduacated in the parish.

[edit] Commerce, industry and tourism

Facilities in the town include a library, school, an excellent soccer arena known as McDonagh Memorial Park which is home to Newmarket Celtic FC, a Gaelic Athletic Association club, Newmarket-On-Fergus GAA based in Fr Murphy Memorial Park on the Ballycar Road, the most successful hurling club in Co. Clare with 22 Senior hurling titles and one of the oldest, founded in 1885. A number of pubs such as the Tradaree Arms, the Pub, the sports bar also known as Tesses, the Weavers, O Neills and the Hunters, a Macra club, restaurants and convenience stores.

The well known tourist attraction Bunratty Castle is also in the parish. Dromoland Castle is located 1.5km from Newmarket, along the road towards Ennis.