Clare Places: Dunbeg: Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1845

Dunbeg

A bay and a village in the barony of Ibrickane, Co. Clare, Munster. The bay opens 9 miles south of Haggs Head, and 16 north-east by north of Loop Head. It is 2½ miles wide at the entrance, indents the land to the extent of rather more than 2 miles, and has pretty nearly a semicircular outline. It forms a break in a bold, rocky, iron-bound coast, yet affords little available shelter or anchorage, and is rendered dangerous by a group of rocks in its centre. From 2 to 2¾ miles off the north side of its entrance, lie the Mutton and Inniskerry Islands; and, at the south side of its head, enters the Dunbeg or Corryclare river, the stream which rises on Cullan mountain. On this river, on the coast-road south from Milltown-Malbay, on the estate of Mr. Stackpoole, in the parish of Killard, and about 6½ miles north of Kilrush, stands the straggling village of Dunbeg. A pier, 180 feet long, was constructed here by the Fishery Board, at the cost of £485 16s. This work stands considerably within high-water-line, and therefore has not depth, except at spring tides, for large craft; and it is not much frequented by fishing-boats; yet serves for the shipment of agricultural produce, and for a place of refuge in hard weather to small craft. Area of the village, 8 acres. Pop., in 1831, 213; in 1841, 316. Houses 52.

The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1845
Courtesy of Clare Local Studies Project