Some of the most famous inhabitants of this part of Ireland are the Connemara Ponies. Known for their good disposition, athleticism, and versatility, they were claimed (by one source) to have been developed when the Andalusian horses of the Spanish Armada, that ran aground in 1588, mated with local stock. During the Great Famine of the 1840’s, much of Connemara’s human population was drastically diminished through death and immigration. In June of 1919, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight by landing in Connemara’s main town of Cliffden.
Among other notables that have claimed a connection with this area include; actor Peter O’Toole (born here in 1932); the family of film director John Ford (real name Sean O’Feeney) ; Michael Morris, Third Baron of Killanin and President of the International Special Olympic Committee; and J. Bruce Ismay, Chairman of the White Star Line (which owned the Titanic)
While this landscape is considered to be harsh, it has developed a strong association with traditional Irish culture - e.g. having the largest population of Irish speaking folks in the country..