Baronies were created after the Norman invasion of Ireland as divisions of counties and were used for the administration of justice and the raising of revenue.

While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they have been administratively obsolete since 1898.

In many cases, a barony corresponds to an earlier Gaelic túath which had submitted to the Crown.

The barony of Ibrickane extends along the Atlantic coast of County Clare.

It is bounded by the baronies of Corcomroe (to the north), Inchiquin (to the north-east), Islands (to the east), Clonderalaw (to the south-east) and by Moyarta (to the south-west).