St. MacDara’s Island & Church
St. MacDara’s Island Monastery in South Connemara
Oileán Mhic Dara / Cruach na Cara as the island is referred to in the Galway Gaeltacht, is 2.5 kilometers off the coast of south Galway and made up of around 60 acres of Connemara granite covered with grass and low vegetation. On the island’s eastern side, a little stone church was built over the location of an ancient hermitage or monastery that St. MacDara founded or was connected to in the 6th Century. The rectangular church is made of huge granite rocks and has an unusually steep roof. St. MacDara’s Island Monastery is reputed to be one of Ireland’s finest examples of an early Christian oratory. The Monastery that Macdara established in the sixth century was most likely built of wood. The current stone church was constructed in the 10th century and is believed to be an exact replica of the earlier wooden version.
There are three penitential stations made up of cross slabs and a holy well in addition to the church. Additionally, there existed the remains of a much later bothy where livestock used to be reared. In 1907, a storm during the journey to the island led to the deaths of nine individuals.
History of Saint MacDara
St. MacDara, a little-known saint from the sixth century who has long been honored on the western coasts of Co. Galway, celebrates his feast day on July 16. He is the patron saint of the parish of Moyrus in Connemara, while also being the patron saint of local fisherman, and interestingly, new potatoes which are harvested in July around the same time as MacDara’s feast day. Not much is known about St. MacDara’s life. It is believed his original name was Sionnach, which is the Irish for fox and because foxes were thought to bring bad luck to Galway fishermen, the saint was instead referred to the different name of Saint MacDara, son of Dara rather than Saint Sionnach. However, according to contemporary researchers, the name is actually pronounced Síonach (Síothnanch), which relates MacDara’s name to síon, meaning ‘stormy weather’ weather as Gaeilge.
The Feast Day of St MacDara (Lá Fhéile Mhic Dara)
To this day, July 16th is celebrated as Féile Mhic Dara (St. MacDara’s feast day). Traditionally devotees travel by boat to the small, uninhabited island off Mace Head in Connemara known as Oileán Mhic Dara / Cruach na Cara (St. MacDara’s Island) in honour of the saint. Once there, a mass is held in the open air at the old stone oratory named after St. MacDara and which was repaired in the 1977.
Following mass, attendees gather for lunch, and the Féile Mhic Dara galway hooker fishing boat race takes place. Currachs, another form of traditional boat prevalent on Ireland’s west coast, are also raced. After spending some time on the island, visitors return to the mainland in Carna, where there is live music and céilidh dancing continues into the evening.
The restored church was honored in a stamp released in the 1980s as part of the Irish Architecture Definitives series since it is thought to be one of the finest examples of early Christian oratory in Ireland.
What to expect on Lá Fhéile Mhic Dara
How to get to St. MacDara’s Island in Connemara
At the several inlets and piers of Mace Head in Connemara on Saturday, July 16, hundreds of pilgrims will hop into currachs, pleasure craft, and fishing boats in order to traverse nearly 2 kilometers of sea to honour of a sixth-century saint.
Location map of St. MacDara’s Island
FAQs about St. MacDara’s Island, Carna
How do I get to St. MacDara’s Island?
The island is uninhabited and only accessible by boat. While there is no regular ferry service, visitors can reach it by arranging a private trip with local fishermen from Mace Pier (near Carna) or Roundstone. The most popular time to visit is during the annual pilgrimage on July 16th, when local boatmen provide transport for the community and visitors.
What happens on the island on the 16th of July?
July 16th is Féile Mhic Dara (the Feast of St. MacDara). Hundreds of pilgrims travel to the island for an open-air Mass held at the 10th-century stone oratory. The day is celebrated with a blessing of the boats and the famous Galway Hooker regatta, where traditional wooden sailing boats race. It is also local tradition for passing boats to “dip their sails” three times to honor the saint.
How big is the island and how far is it from Mace Head?
St. MacDara’s Island (Oileán Mhic Dara) is approximately 60 acres in size, consisting mostly of granite rock, grass, and low vegetation. It is located roughly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) off the coast from Mace Head, making it a short but exposed boat journey across the Atlantic waters.
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