Carra, County Mayo

Carra 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 covers an area from approximately Pontoon and Beltra Lough at its northern end to Partry (Ballyovey) near Ballinrobe and Tourmakeady at its southern end.

History
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.

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

Moore Hall
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.



National Museum of Country Life
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

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