Ballyvaughan or Ballyvaghan[2] (Irish: Baile Uí Bheacháin, meaning 'Ó Beachán's townland') is a small harbour village in County Clare, Ireland.

This position on the coast road and the close proximity to many of the area's sights has turned the village into a local center of tourism activity.

In 1540, a stolen cow was found at the castle, and heavy fines were levied on the O'Loghlens—loss of cattle, goats, sheep and the town of Ballyvaughan.

According to Westropp's survey of Clare antiquities, the area contained "three small forts and a much levelled ring of a great Caher.

For a while, Ballyvaughan was the official capital of this region of Clare, sporting a workhouse, coastguard station and large police barracks.

[3] In May 1921, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit of approximately 25 men successfully ambushed a party of 10 Royal Marines and their sergeant in the village near the old post office.

[citation needed] The location of the Workhouse, Court House, Fair Green, Police Barracks, Coast Guard, Blacksmith, Hotels, and other buildings of interest can be viewed on these historical maps of Ballyvaughan.

Its position on the coast road between Galway and the Cliffs of Moher brings significant pass-through tourism business to the village.

Located at the T-junction in the center of the village, pictures of the signposts had long been used by Tourism Ireland to market the country internationally.

[citation needed] Although the building of a local waste water disposal/treatment system has been discussed for many years, as of 2016 the sewage of Ballyvaughan is still pumped untreated into the sea.