Carnacon
{{Use Irish English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
|settlement_type = Townland
|name = Carnacon
|native_name = {{lang|ga|Ceathrú na Con}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|image_skyline = File:Church at Carnacon (geograph 4965893).jpg
|image_caption = St. Mary's Church
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|coordinates = {{coord|53.7346|-9.2229|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
|blank_name_sec1 = Irish Grid Reference
|blank_info_sec1 = {{iem4ibx|M193768}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ireland
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Connacht
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = County Mayo
|unit_pref = Metric
|elevation_m = 25
}}
Carnacon or Carrownacon ({{Irish place name|Ceathrú na Con|hound's quarter}}){{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/34782 | title = Ceathrú na Con/Carrownacon | website = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | access-date = 11 October 2021}} is a village, townland and area in central County Mayo, Ireland. It is situated about {{convert|12|mi}} from Castlebar, and is about {{convert|8|mi}} from Claremorris and Ballinrobe.
Village
Carnacon is situated on the shores of a mayfly fishing lake, Lough Carra. Around the village are a number of Irish country houses, ringforts, and historical and archaeological sites. These include the Doon archaeological peninsula and a number of ring forts.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The village has a parish church, national school, community centre, grocery store and two pubs. Carnacon Ladies GAA Football team represents the area.
History
Moore Hall was built by George Moore between 1792 and 1795. It was home to George Moore, novelist, and John Moore, who was President of the short-lived Republic of Connacht.{{Cite web|url=http://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/4/16/?lang=en|title=Waterford County Museum}} The Moore family won the Chester Cup in England in 1846, with a horse called Coranna. The horse was trained locally and the winnings went towards assisting the local community during the famine. The house was burnt down in the 1920s by the Irish Republican Army; its remains are still somewhat intact.
Towerhill House was home to the Blake family, who were a landlord family in the west.{{Cite web|url=http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-show.jsp?id=404|title = Towerhill}} The Mayo flag originated on this estate in 1885.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Clooneen Mill is present on the grounds of Towerhill. Towerhill was sold in the late 1940s and the Land Commission divided the estate between local farmers. Anything of use was taken from the house. Its roof was removed and the house was abandoned. Its remains are still somewhat intact.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Carnacon House, built in 1740, was the home of General James McDonnell, a leader in the rising of 1798. It is the only remaining significant home not abandoned and has been owned by a local family since the 1950s.{{cite web| url = http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie:8080/LandedEstates/jsp/property-show.jsp?id=335| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220528/http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie:8080/LandedEstates/jsp/property-show.jsp?id=335| archive-date = 2016-03-04| title = Carnacon House}}
Burriscarra Abbey was founded in 1298 by Adam Staunton for the White Friar of Carmelite Brothers.
Environment
Farming is the main activity in the area. The local environment aids a long grass-growing season.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The area extends over approximately 7,166 acres. 741 acres of this is woodland, owned and managed by Coillte.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Other natural features include Kiltoom Woods, Lough Carra and the area's horseshoe bats.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Heritage sites
Local heritage sites include Burriscarra Abbey, Moore Hall, Cloneen Mill, a mass rock and several ringforts.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Notable People
{{See also|Category:People from Carnacon}}
- Cora Staunton, ladies Gaelic footballer and professional Australian rules footballer.[https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2022/01/10/cora-staunton-makes-football-history-in-australia/ Cora Staunton makes football history in Australia] from Connaught Telegraph 10 Jan 2022
- George Henry Moore, statesman, provider of famine relief.{{cite web |url=http://www.con-telegraph.ie/history/mayo-history/398-george-henry-moore-1810-1870 |title=George Henry Moore 1810-1870 |accessdate=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010939/http://www.con-telegraph.ie/history/mayo-history/398-george-henry-moore-1810-1870 |archivedate=27 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}
- George Augustus Moore, Irish novelist and part of the Irish Literary Revival.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
- John Moore, statesman, 1798 rebel leader and former President of Connacht.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
- Maurice George Moore, soldier, author, politician and a senator in the Seanad.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
- Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, academic, musician and broadcaster.
Gallery
File:Moore Hall 22nd Aug 2010 003.JPG|Moore Hall façade, County Mayo
File:Lough carra.jpg|Lough Carra
File:The Ruins of Towerhill.jpg|Facade and inside of Towerhill
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.loughcarra.org/ Lough Carra Information Website]
- [http://www.moorehall.net/ History of Moore Hall Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219115944/http://www.moorehall.net/ |date=19 December 2019 }}
{{County Mayo}}