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Aillebrack
Aillebrack (Irish: An Aill Bhreac, meaning 'the speckled cliff')[1] 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] GeographySituated in the civil parish of Ballindoon, in the historical barony of Ballynahinch, Aillebrack is approximately 2.6 square kilometres (1.0 sq mi) 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. HistoryEvidence 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 c. 1820.[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] EducationThe 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.[10] The school, which was first built in the late 19th century, originally had just one room.[11] This school building was destroyed in a fire in 1940.[11] While the school was being rebuilt, lessons were moved to two rooms in nearby Bunowen Castle.[11] At that time, the castle was in a poor condition and "described as cold and draughty".[11] The school was rebuilt and reopened in 1945.[11] When the school at nearby Dunloughan closed in 1967, its 15 pupils transferred to Aillebrack school.[11] As of 2010, there were 27 children enrolled in Aillebrack National School.[10] TransportAs at 2024, there is a Local Link bus on Thursdays to Clifden.[12] References
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