Mary Belfast’s ‘home’ was a one-room shed originally used as a store for workmen’s tools who constructed the bridge 200 years ago. The entrance door faced south and a hole in the northern wall served as a chimney when Mary Belfast lit a turf fire in the winter months.

In Spring and Summer Mary fished for salmon, trout and eels with a baited hook and line which she pushed through the chimney hole overlooking the Doonbeg River.

Stories of Mary Belfast’s existence spread far and wide. Drivers on horse drawn tourist carriages travelling to Kilkee, Lahinch and Lisdoonvarna would stop to greet the old woman living under the bridge. Mary would sit outside her cabin door and spread her black shawl on the grass, inviting tourists to drop pennies down from the bridge.

Mary Belfast’s life is recorded in school children’s stories from a 100 years ago. And here is where she lived with her 2 children.

If you walk to the other side of the riverbank you will get a good view of her front door.