A small, quiet coastal village, the center of lobster fishing as well as holidays resort well known to cyclists, anglers, and hikers. A narrow road connects the village to the island of Maighinis (or Mweenish), where there is a research station for marine biology managed by University College Galway. From here you can gaze out towards the west and pinpoint the lonely island of Mac Dara, on which there are the ruins of a church and the burial place of St. Mac Dara. This saint was venerated from the fishermen of the area who used to soak their nets for three times in the waters surrounding the island before sail for fishing.

A bit more prosaically, Mac Dara is today the "sponsor" of a religious festival held in Carna in July, a three days gathering for curraghs and Galway Hookers (typical boats of the area with bright red sails), with songs, dances and local craft fairs.