Donegal Islands
Please find a list of Islands off the coast of Donegal, Ireland. We can take you to see any of these in our Ferry Boats, by arrangement.
- Cruit Island -
Cruit (pronounced "crutch" by the locals) is quite close to the mainland and connected by a bridge.
It is north east of Arranmore.
Daniel O Donnell had a house on Cruit, untill recently.
It currently (March 2007) has a 9 hole golf course, which may be upgraded.
- Gola -
Gola Island (Oileán Ghabhla) is one of the many which surround Arranmore. It is less than a mile from Gweedore on the mainland of Ireland. Other villages close by, are Bunbeg and Derrybeg.
In relation to Arranmore, it is North East. At the moment, no one lives there during the winter months. Summertime is different when people and tourist wish to view the offerings of this history-steeped Island. Point of curiousity: There are no Mice on Gola. Like a lot of Irish stories, this one also draws conjecture and experiment. On a more ecological level, this may give you an idea of .....
- Inishfree - Known as Inish Free, Inisfree or Inis Fraoigh. Home of the "Screamers" in the 1970's.
- Owey Island -
Owey Island or Inish Uaigh is west of Bunbeg and between the Gola and Arranmore Islands.
Today, it has the usual fishing stocks associated with the other Islands and refurbished cottages as dwelling structures.
Owey has its own harbour for landing purposes.
We don't have running water as such, and rely on underwater springs; bringing a vistor, a more primitive and natural experience with regard to modern conveniences.
Electricity too, is limited to local petrol and diesel engine, generation.
- Rutland -
Known by the locals as Rutland Island, Inishmcadam , Inishmacadurn, and Inis Mhic an Doirn in the Irish language..
It is between Burtonport on the mainland and Arranmore.
First Post Office, and major sea trading post for Donegal, the latter largely promoted by the English.
James Napper Tandy (from Dublin but appointed a General by the French and a controversial famous Irish rebel and United Irish leader), spent some time here (1798), and got a mention in the old ballad; "The Wearing of the Green".
- The Famous Tory Island -
Called Tory Island in English and Oileán Thoraí in the Irish language. Situated 11 miles off the North West coast if Donegal and the most Northwesterly point in europe, this treeless island measures 3 miles by 1 mile long.
Tory Island has been populated since the age of Neolithic farmers four thousand years ago.
Point of Curiousity; Tory Island has no rats, which should put the more squeamish of tourists at ease.
- Inisbofin - Not to be confused with Inishbofin off the coast of County Galway, Inishbofin is a 300 acre Island which liies South of Tory Island and Tory Sound.
- Beaver Island -
The Plaque.
Photograph of the monument on Arranmore Island to commemorate its twinning with Beaver Island in 2002.
This is the plaque, set into a wall. View Larger
The Monument.
This is a photograph of the monument itself, which has a figure of a beaver and a salmon. See larger.
This monument was built of stone and is located in Shore Lake ( loch Shore ) which is within Arranmore Island. This lake is the source of local water, and once had the distinction of being a natural habitat of Rainbow Trout.
Since however, it is stocked by human intervention.
