An Post archival notes local lore from the early 20th century that attests the origin of the village's name to that of Muintear Chlann Chonghaile or Clann Mhic Conghaile,[2] that is to say, the Conneelys.

[citation needed] The area is home to several beaches: the Coral Strand at Derrygimla; west and north to Knock, Mannin, Dunloughan and Truska; and east and south from Keeraunmore, Aillebrack, and Ballyconneely Bay to Calla, Dolan and Murvey.

A team of Dutch botanists studied lakes and water chemistry around Ballyconneelly in 1975 and throughout Ireland until 2010, due to the island's unique post-Ice Age landscape no longer found in the Netherlands.

Legend [citation needed] has it that the breed originated when Arabian horses come ashore from a Spanish shipwreck near Slyne Head and bred with the small native pony.

[citation needed] The beaches have edible shellfish and molluscs accessible at low tide, including clams, cockles, mussels, razorfish, sea urchins, shrimp and scallops, and with local knowledge, the occasional lobster.