Aillebrack

Situated in the civil parish of Ballindoon, in the historical barony of Ballynahinch, Aillebrack is approximately 2.6 square kilometres (1.0 mi²) 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.

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 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]

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.^[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]

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