O'Malley Places

The historic origins of the O'Malleys are in the area around Clew Bay in Co Mayo and around Limerick City. Within these areas, there are particular places associated with particular groups of O'Malleys. There are also many other places around the world that have become associated with the O'Malley name over the years. This page sets out to list these places and tell something about them.

Achill Island, Co Mayo

There are at least two branches of the O'Malleys in Achill Island, Co Mayo. One branch is descended from Clare Island O'Malleys who moved to Achill in the nineteenth century and another is descended from the O'Malley Chieftains who were Lords of Umhall before the arrival of the Normans in Ireland. See article on the Doogort O'Malleys. Many Achill O'Malleys emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio and today Achill is officially twinned with Cleveland. 

Clare Island, Co Mayo

Reputedly the burial place of Grace O'Malley, Clare Island has been home to many O'Malleys over the centuries. A nineteenth century baptismal register in the National Library of Ireland shows at least a third of the entries had at least one Malley parent. A branch of the family settled in Rathdowney, Co Laois and another in Kilkenny. 

Kilmilkin, Maam Valley, Co Galway

One branch of the O'Malleys traces their origins to Kilmilkin in the Maam valley. They have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine, both in Ireland and the USA. 

Limerick

There is historical evidence of O'Malleys in Limerick since the 12th century. The O'Malley DNA project has found that it is likely that the surname arose independently of the Mayo O'Malleys, as surnames began to be adopted in the 10th and 11th centuries. Dr Maurice Gleeson has written about the origins of the Limerick O'Malleys in his blog. Grace O'Malley Cantillon's book on one Limerick branch provides more recent detail. Several Limerick O'Malleys were prominent in 20th century Irish politics and government. 

Louisburgh, Co Mayo

The small town of Louisburgh at the mouth of Clew Bay has seen many O'Malleys - and several Chieftains -  from the surrounding townlands such as Dooghmackeon, Carrowmore, Caher and others.   

Westport, Co Mayo

Westport is the largest town on Clew Bay, ancient home of the Mayo O'Malleys. Westport House is built on the site of Cathair na Mart Castle, an O'Malley stronghold. Nearby were Belclare Castle and Carrigahowley Castle, also belonging to the O'Malleys. Many branches of O'Malleys lived in Westport and its surrounds - and still do.

John J O'Malley, First modern Chieftain of the O'Malley Clan came from Knockfelim near Westport and had his business in the town. Another Knockfelim O'Malley was Fr John O'Malley parish priest of the Neale who was active in the Land League and the campaign against Captain Boycott. Fr John is credited with using the term 'boycott' for the first time.

A family of O'Malleys descended from Jack O'Malley of Leenane Co Galway, resided at Owenwee for at least four generations. Chieftain Catherine O'Malley O'Reilly was his great granddaughter. Her father Edward O'Malley was in the Irish Volunteers in 1921 and led a varied life in England and America before returning to Ireland. He attended the first O'Malley Clan Rally in 1953 and wrote about the 1957 Rally in his book Memories of a Mayoman