Aillebrack Explained

Official Name:Aillebrack
Native Name:Irish: An Aill Bhreac
Settlement Type:Townland
Pushpin Map:Ireland
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Ireland
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Ireland
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Connacht
Subdivision Type3:County
Subdivision Name3:County Galway
Population As Of:2011
Blank Name:Irish grid reference

Aillebrack is a townland on the west coast of Connemara in County Galway, Ireland.[1] As of the 2011 census, the townland had a population of 122 people.[2]

Geography

Situated in the civil parish of Ballindoon, in the historical barony of Ballynahinch, Aillebrack is approximately 2.6km2 in area.[3]

Lough Aillebrack, a "hard water" lake within the Slyne Head Peninsula Special Area of Conservation, is nearby.[4] The area is overlooked by Doon Hill.[5]

The nearest town is Clifden, 10 km to the north-east.

History

Evidence of ancient settlement in the townland includes several midden and holy well sites. The latter includes a well, known as the "Well of the Seven Daughters", near Doon Hill.[6] [7] Bunowen Pier in Aillebrack was built .[8]

There is a memorial stone and plaque in Aillebrack which commemorates the crew of a U.S. Navy Liberator aircraft that crashed off the nearby coast in 1944.[9]

Education

The local national (primary) school, Aillebrack National School, is situated near the village of Ballyconneely. Also known as St. Caillín's National School (after Saint Caillín),[5] it operates from a two-room school building which was built in 1945.

The school, which was first built in the late 19th century, originally had just one room.[10] This school building was destroyed in a fire in 1940.[10] While the school was being rebuilt, lessons were moved to two rooms in nearby Bunowen Castle.[10] At that time, the castle was in a poor condition and "described as cold and draughty".[10] The school was rebuilt and reopened in 1945.[10] When the school at nearby Dunloughan closed in 1967, its 15 pupils transferred to Aillebrack school.[10] As of 2010, there were 27 children enrolled in Aillebrack National School.[11]

Transport

As at 2024, there is a Local Link bus on Thursdays to Clifden.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: An Aill Bhreac / Aillebrack . Placenames Database of Ireland . logainm.ie . 19 February 2024 .
  2. Web site: CD155 - Galway Population by Private Households, Occupied and Vacancy Rate . data.gov.ie . Central Statistics Office . 19 February 2024 . Population [..] Townlands [..] Aillebrack, Bunowen, Co. Galway [..] 122 .
  3. Web site: Aillebrack Townland, Co. Galway . townlands.ie . 19 February 2024 .
  4. Web site: Slyne Head Peninsula SAC . npws.ie . National Parks and Wildlife Service . 19 February 2024 .
  5. Web site: Aillebrack National School - Home . aillebrackns.ie . 19 February 2024 . St. Caillin's National School Aillebrack [..] with Doon Hill [..] acting as a stunning backdrop, Aillebrack is a peaceful haven .
  6. Book: Gosling, Paul . Archaeological Inventory of County Galway: West Galway . 117 . 1993 . Aillebrack An Aill Bhreak [..] Indicated 'Well of the Seven Daughters' [..] Holy well In a low-lying area close to NW foot of Doon Hill. Recorded by O'Flaherty in 1684 .
  7. Web site: Holy Family Church Ballyconeelly . clifdenparish.com . 19 February 2024 . At Aillebrack, near Doon Hill, there is the 'Holy Well of the Seven Daughters' .
  8. Web site: Aillebrack, Galway . National Inventory of Architectural Heritage . buildingsofireland.ie . 19 February 2024 .
  9. Web site: Aillebrack - Liberator Memorial . galwaycommunityheritage.org . 19 February 2024 .
  10. Web site: Aillebrack National School - School History . aillebrackns.ie . 19 February 2024 .
  11. Web site: Whole School Evaluation Report - Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cáilín, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely, County Galway . Department of Education . gov.ie . 5 March 2010 . 19 February 2024 .
  12. Web site: Cashel Clifden . Local Link Galway . 12 May 2024.