Belclare


Belclare is a small village in County Galway, western Ireland. The village is on the R333 road approximately 7 km. from Tuam. It has a little parish church, a small primary school, Canavans shop, pub and post office, a community centre, a GAA pitch and a playground.

Geography

Knockma, also known as Castle Hackett hill, is situated 2 km west of Belclare. Maeve, the legendary Queen of Connacht, is reputed to be buried in the Cairn on the summit of the hill - from there are panoramic views.
Belclare is part of the parish of Corofin.

Politics

, the Fianna Fáil politician noted for describing supporters of his party as "people who eat their dinner in the middle of the day", lived in Belclare and died at his home there.

Sport

As part of the parish of Corofin, its parish Gaelic football team won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 1998, 2015. They also won the 2018 Championship., the 2019 Championship and the 2020 Championship to become the first club team to win three finals in a row.

Popular culture

The 1969 film, Alfred the Great, was filmed in the Castlehackett area. The 1998 film, A Very Unlucky Leprechaun, starring Warwick Davis and Tim Matheson, was filmed at Castlehackett House and Knockma. The 2004 TV series Foreign Exchange, starring Zachary Garred and Lynn Styles, was filmed at Castlehackett House which was called "O'Keeffe's College" in the series.
The Countdown octochamp Kevin Steede, is originally from Belclare. Steede had been studying occupational therapy at the University of Plymouth, having earlier attended St Jarlath's College and NUI Galway locally.

Gallery