Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

Just Viewcards RR, Group 82, from chrissybaby 

Connemara (in Irish: Conamara) is a district in the West of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway. "Connemara" derives from the tribal name Conmacne Mara, which designated a branch of the Conmacne, an early tribal grouping that had a number of branches located in different parts of Connacht. Since this particular branch of the Conmacne lived by the sea, they became known as the Conmacne Mara. (Sea in Irish is muir, genitive mara, hence "of the sea".)

The main town of Connemara is Clifden. The area around the town is rich with megalithic tombs. The famous "Connemara Green marble" is found outcropping along a line between Streamstown and Lissoughter. It was a trade treasure used by the inhabitants of the prehistoric time. It continues to be of great value today. It is available in large dimensional slabs suitable for buildings as well as for smaller pieces of jewellery. It is used for the pendant for the Scouting Ireland Chief Scout's Award, the highest award in Irish Scouting.

French singer Michel Sardou had an international hit with the song "Les Lacs du Connemara" in 1981.

The Irish drinking song "The Hills of Connemara" has been recorded and performed by a number of Irish and Celtic-themed bands.

And there is also a pony breed named Connemara pony - it was first recognised a distinct type there.

And an absolutely new stamp, issued to commemorate St. Patrick's Day, the feast of the Irish national saint. It was issued on 17 February 2011.