Welcome to Clane

Clane is a pretty little townland in County Kildare, Ireland. Did you know it's really, really old? It dates back to the time of Saint Patrick, who was Ireland's patron saint. That's over 1,500 years ago!

Saint Patrick visited Clane during his travels. The story goes that he was very tired and wanted to rest near the river Liffey. While he was resting, he stuck his staff into the ground. To his surprise, a spring of water bubbled up!

In the old times, the people of Clane built an Abbey and a round tower. You can still see the round tower today. It's like a giant stone pencil standing tall in the sky, isn't it fun? The round tower was a safe place where monks could hide from Viking invaders.

Clane also has a cool connection to a famous book. Jonathan Swift, who wrote "Gulliver's Travels", used to visit a house in Clane. Maybe he got some of his ideas while walking around this lovely townland!

So, even though Clane may seem like a small place, it has a big history full of exciting stories!

  1. What is the name of the river near which Saint Patrick rested in Clane?
  2. What did the people of Clane build in the old times?
  3. Which famous book writer used to visit a house in Clane?
  4. Why do you think the round tower was important in Clane during the Viking times?
  5. How do you think the history of Clane might have influenced Jonathan Swift's writing?

All About Clane

Clane is a lively town in County Kildare, Ireland, nestled on the banks of the River Liffey. The river is a playground for many creatures like ducks, otters, and even fish! You might spot a heron standing still as a statue, waiting to catch its lunch in the water.

Main Street is the heart of Clane, where you'll find colourful shops and our favourite spot, the Liffey Bridge. It's not just a bridge but a place to watch the river, feed the ducks, and wave at the boats passing by.

The Abbeyland and Millicent Road are two more important streets, lined with beautiful, old trees that change colours with the seasons. In spring, you might spot little squirrels scampering around, looking for acorns.

Clane is surrounded by lush green fields, perfect for a game of football or a family picnic. Watch out for butterflies, bees, and birds that love to visit these fields too! And, if you look in the distance, you'll see the gentle slopes of the Wicklow Mountains, standing tall and proud.

So, whether you love to explore nature, play by the river, or simply enjoy a walk down a bustling street, Clane has something for everyone!

  1. What are some of the creatures you might spot near the River Liffey in Clane?
  2. Describe the Liffey Bridge and its importance to Clane.
  3. What changes can you observe in Abbeyland and Millicent Road with the changing seasons?
  4. Using a map of Clane, identify the location of the River Liffey, Main Street, Abbeyland, Millicent Road, and the Wicklow Mountains.
  5. Explore the area around Clane and write a short description of a geographical feature or place of interest you found. What makes this place special or interesting?

My Family and Clane

Hi there! I'm Charlie and I just turned 8. I live in a cool place called Clane in Co. Kildare. My favourite part about living here is the Abbey and the River Liffey. They're not just fun but also very pretty. The Abbey is so old, it's like a giant history book!

The River Liffey is amazing too! It's like a long, winding snake made of water. Sometimes, we go for picnics near the river and that's always fun. I also love the Clane GAA Club. We play football there and it's super exciting. The people are nice and teach us cool tricks too.

There's also this big, wide, green field that looks like a giant's carpet. It's called the Liffey Linear Park. Sometimes, I go there to play or just lie down and watch the clouds. They look like giant cotton candies floating in the sky.

That's all about my life in Clane. I'm 8 and I think I live in the best place ever! Bye for now!

  1. What is Charlie's favourite part about living in Clane?
  2. What does Charlie do near the River Liffey?
  3. Where does Charlie play football?
  4. What does the Liffey Linear Park look like to Charlie?
  5. How old is Charlie and where do they live?

The Logainm of Clane

Clane is a lovely town in County Kildare, Ireland. The name 'Clane' comes from the Irish word 'Cluain', which means 'meadow'. So, when you say Clane, you're really saying 'meadow' in English! Isn't that neat?

Many years ago, people spoke only Irish and used these names to describe the places where they lived. Clane was likely called so because of the lush meadows that surround it. Now, even though we use English more often, we still remember our past by keeping these Irish names for our towns.

Today, Clane is a bustling town with shops, schools, and lots of people. It's a great place to live or visit, and even though it's grown a lot, you can still see the beautiful meadows that gave Clane its name.

  1. What does the name 'Clane' mean in English?
  2. Why do you think the people who lived in Clane long ago chose this name for their town?
  3. How does the name 'Clane' help us remember Ireland's past?
  4. What can you see in Clane today?
  5. Can you think of another town or place that has an Irish name? What does it mean in English?

Slideshow - Clane
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Clane