Is a small village at the mouth of the Cooraclare or Doonbeg River close to a 3 km
long white strand with sand dunes and the other beaches of Seafield, Lough Donnell
and Quilty. All of these beaches provide good shore angling for pollock, bass and mackerel.
Close by are the remains of a 15th-16th century castle of the MarMahons clan,
descendants of Brian Boru.
On the N67 between Doonbeg and Kilkee, one passes Doonegall Point and the remains
of a large promontory fort.
A small but lively fishing village with a nearby beach. Boats may be hired for deep-sea angling,
rated amongst the finest in Ireland.
An Armada galleon was wrecked 3km offshore at Mutton Island.
Named after shipwrecked survivors of the Spanish Armada (1588), executed by Sir Turloch
O'Brien of Liscannor and Boethius Clancy, High Sheriff of Clare.
The 1/2 mile of sandy beach named Silver (or White) Strand, to the north of the point, offers excellent swimming and surfing.
There are two hotels in the village, a golf course and flying school.
The village is the birthplace of a former President of Ireland, Dr. Patrick Hillery.
(Sraid na Cathrach - Village of the Stone Fort)
Although lying inland the town's name comes from neighbouring Mal Bay, said to
link this part of the coast with Mal, the witch or fairy woman who drowned whilst
attempting to chase the legendary hero Cuchulain across the water.
Milltown Malbay is another example of early Victorian seaside resort, which in addition to bathing,
provides shore and deep-sea fishing, golf, surfing and board sailing.
It is a hub for traditional music and dancing and each July sees the Willie Clancy
Summer School attract performers of traditional piping from Ireland and abroad.
Two distinguished figures are buried near Milltown Malbay: Michael Comyn
(Micheal O Coimin) and Andrew McCurtin (Aindreas Mac Cruitin), poets, scholars and
writers. Both are buried in Kilfarboy (3 km north-east), a ruined late 15th century
parish church.
There is a turf-burning electricity generating station nearby.
(Mount Callan)
Lying to the east of Milltown Malbay, Slieve Callan is the highest point in west Clare
at 423 m and provides extensive views of West Clare.
Leaba Dhiarmada agus Grainne (Diarmuid and Grainne's Bed), a wedge-shaped
gallery grave, can be found at the foot of the mountain at Knocknalassa.
Near the summit is the site where Lughnasa (August or harvest) was celebrated in past times.
Legend has it that Conan, a comic anti-hero of the Fianna, is buried under Leacht Chonáin,
(a nearby cairn), together with the key to the church of Killstephen.
Another point of interest is Knocknalassa megalith 3 km north of Doo Lake.
Doo Lake provides good fishing for brown trout.
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