Carra (Irish: Ceara) is one of the nine baronies of County Mayo in Ireland, located in the mid-south area of the county. It is sometimes known as Burriscarra. It incorporates the town of Castlebar, the villages of Tourmakeady, Belcarra and Turlough, where the National Museum of Country Life is situated.

Carra
Ceara
Barony
Carra is located in Ireland
Carra
Carra
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°48′N 9°24′W / 53.8°N 9.4°W / 53.8; -9.4
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
CountyCounty Mayo
Elevation
60 m (200 ft)
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceG240192

Cara covers an area from approximately Pontoon and Beltra Lough at its northern end to Partry (Ballyovey) [1] near Ballinrobe and Tourmakeady at its southern end.[2]

History edit

The ancient barony name is Conmhaícne Cúile Ceara. Clans in the barony include the Partraige and Conmaicne. O'Culachain (O'Colahan) was a sept of the Ui Fiachrach Muaidne (the Fir Ceara) and O'Gormog who once served as chiefs of the Ui Fiachrach. The Murrays, Ó Móráin, O'Learghusa and O'Tierney families were family clans of the barony of Carra.[citation needed]

Carra may also refer to a village near Bonniconlon and Ballina.

Places of interest edit

Moore Hall edit

Moore Hall, the home place of George Henry Moore and his family from 1795 until 1923 is situated in this Barony. There were many prominent Moores born in Moore Hall including Maurice George Moore and George Moore (novelist). The house, situated above the shores of Lough Carra was burnt in the troubles of 1923 by the IRA. The house is not open to the public never having been refurbished since it was destroyed but the estate, owned by Coillte now, is a very pleasant place for walkers, overlooking Lough Carra.

 
The National Museum of Country Life in just outside Castlebar at Turlough.

National Museum of Country Life edit

This Museum of Country Life is one of the National Museums of Ireland and situated just off the main road to Castlebar from the east.

Annalistic references edit

  • AI1032.8 Ua Fogartaig, king of the men of Cera, died.

References edit

  1. ^ "BALLYOVEY, a parish, in the barony of CARRA, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT". Archived from the original on 29 October 2006. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  2. ^ "History of Tourmakeady".

External links edit