Carnacon

Carnacon or Carrownacon is an area in central County Mayo in Ireland. It is situated about from Castlebar, and is about from Claremorris and Ballinrobe. The 2006 National Census shows a population of 713 people and 255 houses respectively.BackgroundCarnacon is situated on the shores of a mayfly fishing lake, Lough Carra. Its location on the edge of the Plains of Mayo makes the area a fertile farming area. Around the village are a number of stately homes, ringforts, and historical and archaeological sites. These include the Doon archaeological peninsula and a number of ring forts. The village has a parish church, national school, community centre, grocery store and two traditional pubs. Carnacon Ladies GAA Football team represents the area.HistoryMoore 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. 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.