Miltown

Miltown Malbay (Irish Sráid na Cathrach) is a village in the west of County Clare, Ireland, next to Spanish Point. The name Malbay is thought to come from the Irish "meall-bhaigh" which means treacherous coast. The name could also stem from the ledgend of the Witch "mal" who was drowned in the bay by Fionn mac Cumhaill. It is home to the annual Willie Clancy Summer School and Festival. The festival honours Willie Clancy, a famous uilleann piper who was a native of the village.

Miltown Malbay is located close to several nice beaches, but the most well known in the area are located a little out of town in the small village of Spanish Point. It also has a 9 hole golf links.

Miltown Malbay was a nondescript Irish town until the world discovered Irish music. Miltown's fame rests on a number of local musicians, singers and dancers who performed with a distinctive style, the best known of whom was Willie Clancy.

There is a yearly Irish music festival called the Willie Clancy Week –first Saturday in July dedicated to this particularly renowned performer - he could play pipes, the whistle, sing and tell stories.

The area is awash with traditional music and set dancing for a week. It is a source of great economic value to the surrounding area. The festival started in 1973 and has blossomed to world wide acclaim ever since.