[5] The name originates from a mediaeval leper hospital situated in An Spidéal Thiar (West Spiddal).

While "Spiddle" is recorded in the Placenames Database of Ireland as the English variant of the name, "Spiddal" is used locally.

Blake and, as a result, the Board of Works employed some men in improvements to the village harbour.

American students visit for the autumn term each year to study Irish-language literature and culture.

[citation needed] Live traditional Irish music is regularly performed in the village's pubs.

[citation needed] The music group The Waterboys recorded part of their Fisherman's Blues album in Spiddal.