St. MacDara's Island facts for kids
| Cruach na Cara | |
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 6th century AD |
| Disestablished | before 1100 |
| Diocese | Tuam |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Macdara |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Carna, County Galway |
| Coordinates | 53°18′16″N 9°55′02″W / 53.304424°N 9.917318°W |
| Public access | yes |
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National Monument of Ireland
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| Official name | St. MacDara's Island Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site |
| Reference no. | 242 |
St. MacDara's Island is a medieval Christian monastery and National Monument located off the coast of County Galway, Ireland.
Location
St. MacDara's Island is located on a 60-acre (24.5 ha) granite mountain island off the coast of Connemara, 6 km (3.7 mi) west-southwest of Carna.
History
Saint Sinach Macdara, patron saint of seafarers, is believed to have built a wooden church on the island in the sixth century.
It was replaced by the present stone building in the 10th century. The roof stones were cut to mimic wood shingles.
Local fishermen traditionally dipped their sails three times while passing the island.
A wooden statue of the saint was paid special reverence by locals; in an act of iconoclasm the Archbishop of Tuam ordered it buried.
Every 16 July, local people make a pilgrimage to the island for a mass and blessing of boats (including the famous Galway hookers). Devotions were also formerly held on 28 September.
Description
A stone church or oratory, probably a shrine for Macdara's remains. There are several cross slabs and an enclosure.
