St. MacDara's Island Church

St. MacDara's Island Church is a stone structure measuring roughly 4.8 by 3.6 meters with a steeply pitched roof and granite walls, featuring a doorway facing east. The building occupies a small portion of the roughly 22-hectare island surrounded by water.

Saint Sinach MacDara built a wooden church on this site in the 6th century, which was later replaced by the stone structure that stands today. This replacement occurred centuries ago and marked a shift to a more permanent form of construction.

Saint MacDara's feast day brings together local fishing communities on July 16th for mass and boat races, where traditional blessings of vessels take place. These practices connect the island to the daily rhythms and spiritual beliefs of the people who work the waters nearby.

Access to the island requires arranging a boat from Carna, Roundstone, or Mace Pier, as there is no scheduled ferry service. No facilities are available on the island, so visitors should come prepared for basic conditions.

Fishing boats passing near the island lower their sails three times as a mark of respect, a gesture rooted in maritime tradition. This practice remains part of how local seafarers acknowledge the island's spiritual significance.

Location: County Galway

GPS coordinates: 53.30445,-9.91737

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:27