Féile Mhic Dara Regatta (Carna) 2026
St. MacDara’s Island Festival ⛵
Féile Mhic Dara (Macdara Festival) will be held at Carna, Galway 18 and 19 July on Ireland’s west coast, in the Gaeltacht.
Pilgrimage to the deserted island
On the day, pilgrimages to the island’s church for Mass and celebration have a long tradition, with local fisherman donating their time and boats to ferry people out to the deserted Oileán Mhic Dara – or St. Mac Dara’s Island from Mace pier in the morning and back in the afternoon.
Others travel in their own currachs, or canoe boats. Following the service, everyone spends some time on the island, with celebration picnics taking place if the weather permits, before the Galway Hookers’ Féile Mhic Dara regatta.
Departure Point 🛥️
Boats for the pilgrimage depart from Mace Pier, just outside the village of Carna, in South Connemara.
- The first boats typically begin sailing out around 9:00–10:00am, depending on weather and sea conditions.
- Mass is celebrated on the island, usually around 12:00 noon, followed by traditional music and festivities back on the mainland.
Please note:
- There are no shops or facilities on MacDara’s Island, so bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear.
- The event is weather-dependent, so it’s worth checking local updates (e.g., via community Facebook pages or Galway Bay FM) the day before.
Where to Stay 🛌
You’ll may want to be reasonably close the night before, as roads are rural and the pier is remote.
- Carna is the closest village (approx. 5–10 minutes by car to the pier) and best proximity for departure.
- Clifden is beautiful but further away — about 45 minutes’ drive, so a little less convenient for an early start.
Guesthouse, hotel or AirBNB accommodation in Carna, Mace, Kilkeeran, or even Roundstone, would be ideal for attending the feast day celebrations.
History of St. Mac Dara’s Island
One of the outstanding examples of an early Christian oratory in Ireland is St. MacDara’s Island Monastery. St. Macdara is said to have founded a wooden monastery in the 6th century, and the spectacular stone cathedral we see today was most likely built in the 10th century but was modeled by the older wooden one.
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The church on St. Mac Dara’s Island is so little that it is thought to have been a grave shrine for its founder. Sinach Mac Dara, patron saint of the parish of Moyrus, is supposed to have formerly resided on the island.
St. MacDara is the patron saint of local fishermen and sailors, and is said to protect sailors, fisherman, and anybody who ventures out on the open sea.
Regatta in Carna of traditional Irish boats
There are also currach rowing races, a smaller type of boat popular on Ireland’s west coast, before everyone is carried back to Carna in the afternoon, when the festivities continue with live music and céilidh dances.
This regatta in Carna displays unique Irish boats, such as currachs and Galway Hookers including the Bád Mór, Gleoiteog, Leathbhád and Púcán classes of boat traditionally used throughout Galway Bay, along the coast of Connemara and North Clare.
What to expect at Féile Mhic Dara
Please note: dates may vary due to weather conditions.
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