The cultivated land was everywhere divided into small fields, inclosed by hedges and intersected by lanes.

To the east of the town the Shannon divides itself, forming an island on which part of the city is situated.
This was called the English town, and was connected by a bridge, called Thomond Bridge, with the Clare side of the river on the north; and on the south, by another bridge, with the Irish town on the county of Limerick side.

The Thomond Bridge was defended by a strong fort and some field works on the Clare side, and on the city side by a drawbridge, flanked by towers and the city walls.

The bridge was very long and narrow.
The position of the English town was, indeed, almost impregnable.

It was built upon a rock of considerable extent, and the land outside the walls was low and marshy, and could at any time be flooded.