Kilmihil
Cill Mhichíl

The Wild Atlantic Way
STOP 02 / 02

Cill Mhichíl · Co. Clare

A west Clare village with a long hurling history and Michael Cusack, the GAA founder, born nearby.

Kilmihil sits on the R473 between Kilrush and Doonbeg. It is a working parish village with a strong GAA tradition. Michael Cusack, who founded the GAA in 1884, was born in the parish, though technically outside the village.

The place carries the weight of that history lightly. It is mostly a crossroads now.

Population

~400

Founded

19th century

Coords

52.7167° N, 9.5333° W

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Stories & lore.

The reason to come back. The things every local will eventually tell you about, usually after the second pint.

Founded 1884, changed Irish sport forever

Michael Cusack and the GAA

Michael Cusack was born in Bruff townland in Kilmihil parish in 1847. He became a schoolteacher and in 1884 founded the Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin. The GAA now runs hurling, Gaelic football, and handball across Ireland. Cusack changed the sports landscape of a nation.

Getting there.

By car

Between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the R473. Ennis is 1h west.

Next on the tour

Co. Clare

Kilrush

South.