The village of Carna is located in the Connemara Gaeltacht or Gaelic speaking region and serves as an administrative centre for residents of the Iorras Aithneach peninsula, which also includes Cill Chiarain.
Saint Macdara’s Island is located off Mace Head on the Carna coastline. Macdara is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors in the area. Every year on July 16 (depending on weather and sea crossing conditions) the bay fills with many different shapes and sizes of boats as the marine and local community undertake an annual pilgrimage to the island, where mass and the blessing of the local boats takes place.
Sean-Nós (old style) singing in Gaelic is traditional to the area and if you are lucky you might hear some in one of Carna’s pubs.
Image thanks to Ian Taylor