The McClancys were chief judges in Clare and it is known that at one time the signature of a McClancy constituted the validity of any legal document. Doolin or Tuath Clae church actually stands on the site once occupied by the famous McClancy Brehon Law school. This area at that time was known as Knockfinn. It was first recorded in 1390 that due to the McClancys position as chief judges their lands were free from rent or imposition

Probably the most famous of the McClancys was Boetius McClancy, who forsook the faith of his forefathers and gave his allegiance to the English. As a result he became the First High Sheriff of Clare and held this position during the time of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Cnoc na Chrochaire, the hill of the hanging lies about a mile east of Tuath Clae Church on the road to Lisdoonvarna. It is said that the Spanish Sailors that Boetius McClancy captured in Clare were marched to this hill and unceremoniously hanged there.