CASTLECONNELL  , a

village of Co . Limerick, Ireland, on the left bank of the Shannon, 8 m . N.E. of Limerick on the Great Southern & Western railway . It possesses a spa which was once considerably frequented, but is famous as a centre for the salmon fishing on the lower Shannon . Castleconnell is so intimately connected with this sport that it has given its name to a favourite pattern of fly-rod, in which a movable splice takes the place of the usual metal joint . The beautiful rapids of Doonas (avoided by a canal) are in the neighbourhood, and the surrounding scenery is generally attractive . There are remains of a castle from which the town took its name, which was the seat of the kings of Thomond, and was blown up by General Ginkel at the time of the siege of Limerick (169o) .