Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland
On the west coast of Ireland, in County Clare, one can find the town called Milltown Malbay. The former civil name for the parish of Miltown Malbay was Kilfarboy and this name may be found on some old documents.
Milltown Malbay is just 3 kilometres from Spanish Point, a sandy beach. Spanish Point is so named because of the Spaniards who were buried here after the wreck of their Armada ships along this coast in 1588. One of the ships, wrecked on the reefs to landward of Mutton Island 2 miles or 3 km) offshore, can be visited by currach hired in the fishing village of Quilty. More than a thousand men were lost, and many of their bodies were carried by the tide to Spanish Point.
Thanks to Donal Garrihy of Dublin, a native of Miltown Malbay, for enlightening us about the beauty of Tomas O'hAodha's poetry. Tomas O'hAodha was a Gaelic language enthusiast and poet who had been born in the main street of Miltown Malbay and wrote some heart-clutching poetry about the area.
For generations who emigrated from this town, O'hAodha's words, in his poem Farewell to Miltown Malbay, must have struck a chord:
Farewell to Miltown Malbay, a long and sad farewell,
The sorrow in my heart to-day no words of mine can tell,
I'm parting from my dear old friends, the scenes I fondly love,
May happiness attend them all and blessings from above.A bright and pleasant youth was mine, among the good folk there,
No kinder hearts can e'er be found than those that throb in Clare,
And oh! how crushed and sad I feel, my tears fall down like rain,
As I look my last upon the place I ne'er shall see again.
And from his poem Where the Fields are so Green by the Shores of Malbay :
In an exile's lone grave, but my spirit will stray
To the land of my heart and the home I hold dear,
Where the fields are so green by the shores of Malbay.
For the full text of these poems, see Tomas O'hAodha.
In the early 21st century, Miltown Malbay is famous for traditional music as well as its friendly people and great scenery. There are approximately 19 bars in Miltown Malbay, two of which are named Clearys; one of these is a popular bar (also known as "The Blonds") which features traditional music on some evenings.
The town of Milltown Malbay itself developed around an old stone fort. Over the years a village grew and from 1825, a corn mill and trucking mill were developed, perhaps giving rise to the name milltown. In 1837 the town's population was 726 living in 133 houses. (http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/places/miltown_history.htm)
Main Street, Miltown Malbay in 2002
St Joseph's Church can just be seen at the end of the street but the steeple is hidden from view in this picture. Centuries ago, there was a fort at the top of the street, and this gave the Irish name to the town that developed. "sraid na cathrach" (street of the fort). Many of the buildings in this street would have been here when our ancestors lived in the area, including the building that is now Fitzgerald's Bed & Breakfast which is approx. the fifth building on the right.
Visiting Miltown Malbay?
Want some great accommodation right in the centre of the town? Fitzgerald's Bed & Breakfast is an old shop that has been completely refurbished with excellent results. (It does have stairs and would be a problem for someone with a major disability. But otherwise very good). Pauline and John Fitzgerald are wonderful hosts and FamilyOrigins network recommends their B & B if you are planning to visit Miltown Malbay. See the main street of Miltown Malbay and Fitzgeralds is about the fifth building on the right hand side of the picture.
Malbay TV
Not visiting just yet? Then get a taste of Miltown Malbay and County Clare at Malbay TV, which offers some great scenery, music and interviews with locals.
see The Clearys of Illaun, Miltown Malbay
