About Us

CarraigWear.com is a family run Irish casual clothing company. We specialize in Irish related T-Shirts, Hoodies, Snoodies, Caps, Mugs etc. We try to capture the essence of being Irish - humour, sense of community, friendliness, pride in our heritage and culture, our love of conversation, our strong emotional landscape, our hospitality and generosity and above all else our wit!

We are situated at the very based of Carrigogunnell Castle, in the heart of hurling, Ballybrown, Clarina, Co. Limerick. In fac as I type this and look out my office window at home Carraig Castle (as it's know locally) stares down at me. 

Standing at Carraig and taking in the views of the Shannon Estuary and the rolling hills of the Clare coastline is breathtaking.

As you can see the name CarraigWear.com was a no-brainer!!

Come in and view what we have to offer - hope you enjoy!!

Tony - CarraigWear.com

More on Carraigogunnell Castle...

Here’s a basic history of Carrigogunnell Castle — an atmospheric medieval ruin near Clarina, County Limerick, overlooking the River Shannon:

🏰 Origins and Early History

  • The site of Carrigogunnell has been associated with a fortification since at least the early 13th century. In 1209, King John granted the land to Donchad Cairbreach O’Brien, King of Thomond and ally of the English crown, suggesting early importance of the location.

  • However, there’s no clear record of a castle at that time — the surviving ruins probably date to the mid-15th century and may have been built by the O’Brien clan after they regained control of the area. (ballybrown.com)

🛡 Medieval Stronghold

  • Carrigogunnell became an important stronghold for the O’Briens, one of the dominant Gaelic families in Thomond (roughly modern Limerick and Clare). 

  • Over the centuries it passed through various hands due to political and military turmoil in Ireland. At times it was captured by English forces or surrendered by its owners, reflecting the broader conflicts between Gaelic lords and Tudor/English authority. (ballybrown.com)

⚔️ 16th Century Conflicts

  • In 1536, the castle was taken by Lord Leonard Grey, Lord Deputy of Ireland, after the garrison surrendered through deception. Soldiers were marched to Limerick and executed. 

  • The castle later was restored to the O’Briens but continued to be involved in regional power struggles throughout the 1500s and early 1600s. 

⚔️ 17th Century Wars and Destruction

  • During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (including the Cromwellian period), the castle changed hands and was surrendered to Cromwell’s forces in 1651. (clarina.ie)

  • In the Williamite War in Ireland (1689-91) — part of the struggle between supporters of King James II and William of Orange — Carrigogunnell was garrisoned by about 150 men loyal to James II. 

  • In 1691, as Williamite forces under Dutch General Godert de Ginckell moved against Limerick, the castle was captured and shortly afterward deliberately blown up with gunpowder, leaving the ruin that stands today. 

🏚 Legacy and Ruins

  • What survives today are dramatic ruined walls, parts of a five-storey keep with spiral stairs, and fragments of the courtyard bastions, sitting atop a prominent rock overlooking the Shannon. 

  • The site is steeped in folklore — its name is often linked to the Irish meaning “rock of the candle” from tales of an enchanted hag lighting a deadly candle on the crag.