Why Is Clare Called ‘The Banner County’?

Why is Clare called the Banner County? Nobody can point to a single day it started, but historians agree the name comes from Clare’s long habit of carrying, capturing and parading banners, and it was firmly attached to the county by the 1910s.

County Clare holds a special place in Irish history and culture, carrying the proud nickname “The Banner County” that has endured for generations. The name stems from Clare’s long tradition of carrying banners into battle, particularly during Daniel O’Connell’s successful election campaign in 1828 when Clare’s people marched with vibrant banners that became symbols of political reform in Ireland.

The rich political tradition of Clare has shaped its identity, with tales of passionate rallies and gatherings where banners flew high above the rolling hills and rugged coastline. The nickname stuck, becoming deeply woven into the fabric of local pride and cultural heritage.

Quick answer: the three main theories

• 1706, Battle of Ramillies: Clare’s Dragoons captured the Duke of Marlborough’s colours, a flag later kept by the Irish nuns at Ypres.
• 1828, the Clare election: Daniel O’Connell won the Clare by-election 2,057 votes to 982, and banners greeted him and his voters in Ennis.
• 1914, hurling and Ypres: Clare won their first All-Ireland hurling title the same October weekend the First Battle of Ypres began, and Clare Museum argues the two stories together fixed the name.

Key Takeaways

• Clare earned its “Banner County” nickname through historical political movements and battle standards
• The county’s tradition of banner-carrying dates back centuries, but the nickname itself took hold in the 19th and early 20th centuries
• The nickname remains a source of pride and cultural identity for Clare residents today
• Clare have won five All-Ireland senior hurling titles, in 1914, 1995, 1997, 2013 and 2024

The “Banner County” Nickname Through History

County Clare earned its distinctive moniker through centuries of proud military and cultural heritage, with its soldiers carrying banners into historic battles across Europe and its people standing tall for Irish independence.

Origin of ‘The Banner County’ Moniker

One popular theory dates the nickname back to the early 18th century, when Clare soldiers distinguished themselves at the Battle of Ramillies in 1706. The Clare Dragoons, a renowned cavalry regiment, captured the colours of the Duke of Marlborough during this engagement, and the flag was later given to the Irish nuns at Ypres in Belgium.

The tradition of banner-bearing stretched back even further to medieval times, when Brian Boru’s forces marched under their own distinctive standards. Clare County Library notes that the Dál gCais, Brian Boru’s own people, carried banners at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

During Daniel O’Connell’s Catholic Emancipation campaign in the 1820s, Clare folk would march with elaborately decorated banners, strengthening the county’s association with these proud symbols.

O’Connell won the 1828 Clare by-election by 2,057 votes to 982. As a Catholic he could not take his seat, and the result pushed the government into passing the Catholic Relief Act of 1829. Decades later, in 1865, thirteen Ennis trade guilds carried their banners at the unveiling of the O’Connell monument in the town.

Who Was Behind the “Banner County” Nickname?

The GAA’s founding father Michael Cusack, a Clare native born in Carron in 1847, founded the organisation whose county teams would carry the nickname into sporting circles. His influence meant the ‘Banner County’ became firmly attached to Clare’s sporting identity.

Banners also greeted Charles Stewart Parnell during the Land League era of the 1880s, when Clare people would gather under banners demanding fair treatment for tenant farmers.

The nickname gained further prominence from 1917, with De Valera’s strong connections to Clare adding political weight to the banner-bearing tradition. He won the East Clare by-election on 10 July 1917, a banner carrying his photograph was paraded around Ennis during the campaign, and he held a Clare seat until 1959.

So Which Theory Is Right?

The honest answer? Nobody knows for certain. Clare Museum favours 1914, when Clare won their first All-Ireland hurling title on the same October weekend the First Battle of Ypres began, and the story of the Ramillies flag at Ypres was used to recruit Clare men for the British Army.

Clare County Library historian Brian Ó Dálaigh takes a different view: the custom of greeting politicians with banners, especially at election time, simply lasted longer in Clare than anywhere else, and the name passed to the county’s hurling and football teams as the GAA grew.

Here is how those banner moments line up over nine centuries:

The “Banner County” in Culture and Geography

County Clare’s distinctive identity stems from its rich sporting traditions and spectacular natural landscapes, both of which have helped shape its nickname as the Banner County. If you are curious how it compares with its neighbours, our guide to the 32 counties of Ireland covers every one.

Sporting Heritage and the GAA

The GAA in Clare has forged an unbreakable bond with the county’s identity. Clare’s hurling teams have carried the banner with tremendous pride, particularly during their brilliant All-Ireland victories in 1914, 1995, 1997, 2013 and 2024.

The most recent came in 2024, when Clare beat Cork 3-29 to 1-34 after extra time at Croke Park. Hurling sits high on our list of traditional Irish things everyone should know about, and few counties live it like Clare.

The roar of crowds at Cusack Park in Ennis has become legendary, with passionate supporters waving their saffron and blue banners at Munster Championship matches.

Local clubs dot every parish from Loop Head to Lough Derg, nurturing young talent and preserving Clare’s sporting heritage with fierce dedication.

Natural Wonders and Heritage Sites

The Burren’s limestone pavements create an otherworldly landscape unique in Ireland, with rare Arctic and Mediterranean plants growing side by side. The Burren National Park describes mountain avens growing near southern species such as bloody cranesbill.

The mighty Cliffs of Moher stand sentinel over the Atlantic Ocean, drawing visitors from across the globe to marvel at their 214-metre heights.

Ancient history echoes through sites like the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a 5,000-year-old portal tomb that speaks to Clare’s megalithic past. Heritage Ireland records the remains of 33 people buried there between 3800 and 3200 BC.

The Shannon Estuary wraps around the county’s southern border, while Galway Bay’s waters lap its northern shores. Scattery Island’s round tower and monastic ruins tell tales of saints and scholars. Across the Shannon, it is worth reading what Limerick is famous for too, its neighbour on the far bank of the estuary.

The Cliffs of Moher feature on our list of must-see locations on an Irish tour, so Clare is easy to fit into a trip west.

Frequently Asked Questions

County Clare earned its famous nickname through centuries of proud military tradition and its warriors carrying distinctive banners into battle.

What does ‘up the banner’ mean in Ireland?

‘Up the banner’ is a rallying cry used to show support for County Clare, especially during sporting matches. The phrase echoes the banners Clare people carried for centuries, from the battlefield to the polling station.

The saying remains a beloved expression of Clare pride, with supporters often shouting it at hurling and football matches whilst waving the county’s saffron and blue colours.

Where did County Clare get its name?

The county takes its name from the town of Clare which was an important Norman settlement, known today as Clarecastle. Most sources trace the name to the Irish word clár, the plank bridge over the River Fergus there, while a second theory links it to Thomas de Clare, a Norman lord who controlled the area in the 13th century.

The de Clare family established their power base in the region, and the county was formally named in the 1590s after the castle at Clare.

What is the most common surname in Clare?

O’Brien is Clare’s most famous surname, stemming from the powerful Dál gCais dynasty that ruled the region, but it is not the most common. In the official 1890 birth registrations, McMahon came first.

McMahon, McNamara, and Moloney follow as other widespread Clare family names, each with deep roots in the county’s history.

Robert Matheson’s Special Report on Surnames in Ireland counted every birth registered in 1890, so it is the best official snapshot of Clare’s names. Type your surname into the chart below to see where it ranked. If you want the full O’Brien surname story, or the meaning behind Irish surnames that start with Mc or Mac, we have those too.

What does ‘clare’ mean in Irish?

In Irish, Clare is written as ‘An Clár’, meaning ‘the board’ or ‘the plain’. This name refers to the wooden bridge or plank crossing that once spanned the River Fergus near Ennis. The official Irish placenames database, logainm.ie, gives clár as “plank bridge; plain”.

The Irish name perfectly describes the county’s landscape, with its limestone plains stretching across much of the territory.

How many All-Irelands have Clare won?

Clare have won five All-Ireland senior hurling titles: 1914, 1995, 1997, 2013 and 2024. They have also won six Munster senior hurling titles, in 1889, 1914, 1932, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

When did Clare become known as the Banner County?

There is no single date, but Clare Museum concludes the name was firmly established by the second decade of the 20th century, around the time of the 1914 All-Ireland win and the 1917 East Clare by-election.