Connemara

Connemara (Irish Conamara), which derives from Conmhaicne Mara, (meaning: descendants of Conmhac, of the sea) is a region in the west of Ireland (County Galway). The Conmhaicne Mara were a branch of the Conmhaicne, an early tribal grouping that had a number of branches located in different parts of Connacht. As this branch of Conmhaicne were located by the sea they became known as the Conmhaicne Mara i.e. of the sea. The Conmhaicne are named after a mythological ancestor Conmac (son of the hound), who in mythology was the son of a Queen of Connacht. Connemara lies in the territory of Iar Connacht "West Connacht", which is the portion of County Galway west of Loch Corrib and the portion of County Mayo in the barony of Ross. Connemara is composed of the civil parishes of Moyrus, Ballynakill, Omey, Ballindoon, Inishbofin (the last parish was for a time part of the territory of Umhall also known as O Malley Country).

The main town of Connemara is Clifden. Connemara's coast is very convoluted and has a wealth of lovely beaches, little islands and harbours. On a drive from Clifden to Ballyconneely for example, one passes Coral Strand, one of the scenic beaches in Connemara. The area around Clifden is rich with megalithic tombs. The famous green/white Connemara Marble was a trade treasure used by the inhabitants of the time and continues to be of great value today.

Notable towns and villages in Connemara

(Clockwise from Galway)

• An Spidéal, Spiddal
• Indreabhan, Inverin
• Ross an Mhíl, Rossaveal
• Carna
• Cloch na Rón, Roundstone
• Baile Conaola, Ballyconeely
• An Clochán, Clifden
• An Claideach Dubh, Claddaghduff (for Omey Island
• An Cloigeánn, Cleggan (for Inishbofin ).
• Leitír Fraic, Letterfrack
• An Lionán, Leenaun
• An Teach Dóite, Maam Cross (literal translation, The burned house)
• Uachtair Árd Oughterard
• Maigh Chulain Moycullen

See also

• Aran Islands (day trips from Inverin and Rossaveel).
• Alcock and Brown's first non-stop flight across the Atlantic crash landed near Clifden.
• The Western Way (Long-distance trail)
• The Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountains.
• Lough Corrib

External links

• Irish tourist board web site for Connemara.
• Conemara community radio
• RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (in Irish)
• An Óige / Irish Youth Hostels Assoc. page for County Galway See especially Ben Lettery - Binn Leitri.
• Connemara.net News, accommodation, photographs, messageboard: lots about Connemara