Here the sea in all its facets influences the shape of the landscape and affects the lives of all who dwell in its presence. The focal point of the picturesque village of Cleggan is its pier which is the closest mainland link for the islands of Inishturk and Inishbofin. These islands attract more and more visitors each year. Indeed so compelling are the islands charms that some have opted to live there permanently. Traditionally fishing supplemented by small farming has been the main source of income.
Latterly tourism makes a further contribution.
As in the rest of Connemara poverty, famine and natural catastrophe caused massive emigration. In 1927 in what became known as the Cleggan Disaster, twenty-five fishermen from the area drowned during a freak storm which arose whilst they were mackerel fishing in the bay. This had a devastating affect on the local community . Nowadays all that remains of this time are poems and stories and old granite ruins made stark by weather and time. Novelist John McGahern also resided here.