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Quilty in County Clare is a
small fishing village between Miltown Malbay and Doonbeg. The origin of
its name is uncertain but it may be a derivation of coillte meaning woods.
Long ago they had a tradition of curing fish for export to America.
Nowadays, Quilty fishermen also bring in Lobster and Salmon in season as
well as a variety of other fish. Bass, mackerel and
herring can be fished from the shore.
Its stone walls close to shore are covered in seaweed
during harvest-time. There are two beaches, the nicer one being easily
missed, and some low cliffs, but the most interesting feature of the
village is the church, which has a remarkable history.
The most noticeable building is the small round tower of the local
catholic church and is visible for miles around the flat countryside. On
October 2nd 1907 a French three-master, the Leon XIII out of Nantes, was
driven up on some of the very rocky reefs on Quilty bay, and as the
coastguard was unable to reach her, all seemed lost for ship and crew.
The local fishermen however went out to sea in their
currachs; if you stand on the road and look out into the bay on a windy
day, and watch the Atlantic breakers crashing on the reefs and cliffs all
around you will have some slight idea of what these men faced in small
open boats. They reached the wreck and somehow managed to save the crew
and bring them safely ashore. The foundation stone was laid in 1911 and
built from donations from United states, England and locally and all the
labour was supplied free of charge.
Today Quilty is an attractive seaside resort and plays an
important role in tourism but local people are keen to preserve the charm
of Quilty from over commercialisation. Quilty has ample accommodation,
seafood restaurants, pub, supermarket, sea fishing and indoor swimming
pool.
Across the bay from Quilty is Mutton Island. St Senan founded a church
here in the early 6th century but by 1887 little remained except the Bed
of St.Senan, a shattered cross and a gable of his oratory. The signal
tower built in early 1800’s was designed to give warning of an imminent
French invasion during the Napoleolonic period but was also used by the
coastguard to prevent smuggling. In the early 1900 Mutton island was used
as a prison for offenders.
Tromoroe Castle lies 3km. from village of Quilty. It had a
number of battles in the early 1500, the most notable were when Teigh
Caech(bad sight) McMahon with the help of the Earl of Desmond stormed the
castle on the 17th February 1599. Daniel O Brien had been guarding the
castle for his elder brother, Donogh, Earl of Thomond. Teige took the
wounded Daniel O Brien to Dunbeg castle but released him a week later
without ransom. The next attack was by O Flaherty from Connacht on a
family of Wards on 1st May 1642. Peter Ward, his wife and heir were slain.
O Flaherty conveyed seven persons safe to Richard White’s of Kilmurry. The
castle was plundered by another John Ward and his company and the spoils
divided between them.
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