Clew Bay

Clew Bay opens onto the Atlantic on the coast of Mayo, its inner waters scattered with small islands beneath the slopes of Croagh Patrick. Clare Island stands near the entrance and shelters a harbour watched over by a tower house associated with the O'Malley family. In the sixteenth century Grace O'Malley commanded ships and held influence along the shores and islands of the bay. The family's strongholds linked their authority on land to the sea routes and anchorages of this indented coast.