Donegal Islands

Islands accessible from Gweedore

Gola

The island of Gola (Gabhla) covers about one square mile (500 acres). It is situated about one mile from the pier at Machaire Gathlán, or two miles from the pier at An Bun Beag. The island is hilly on its west side, rising to 238 feet at Cnoc an Choillín and 212 feet at An Mhaol Mhór, and these hills shelter the houses that stretch in a ribbon alone the east side.

The census of 1814 recorded a population of 68 prior to the Famine. This rose steeply to 169 by the time of the 1911 census, in response to a boom in the fishing industry. The old schoolhouse, built in 1846, is situated west of Port an Churraigh. At one stage, in the 1941s, it held as many as 70 young pupils.

But there is evidence of life in Gola prior to this. The remains of two kitchen middens – large heaps of shells discarded over centuries – are found near the lake and probably date back to prehistoric times.

Two men from Gola, Patrick McGinley and Charles Duggan, were aboard the Asgard, the boat that brought arms into Howth in north county Dublin in 1914, in preparation for the Easter Rising of 1916.

Tory

The boat trip to Toraigh is not just a panoramic sea-trip from An Bun Beag or Machaire Rabhartaigh; it is a journey through time to visit the most remote of Ireland's inhabited islands, where time seems to have stood still.Toraigh is an island of mystery and antiquity. It had been inhabited since the earliest of times and is rich in archaeological and monastic sitesfrim the Iron Age and Early Christian periods.

Surviving harsh winters, Toraigh islanders are resilient and independent. Many of Toraigh's ancient customs survive, such as the tradition of appointing an island king, or Rí Thoraí. The story-telling, music, song and danceof the people of the island are vibrant expressionsof a distinctive Gaelic language and culture. Take the oppertunity to visit Toraigh and see its sheer rugged beauty, dive in crrystal-clear waters, or explore its wealth of Celtic heritage. Meet the people of Toraigh and the island king in the hotel or Céilí club. Meet the islands painters and view traditional crafts. See rare birdlife, listen to the corncrakes and visit the monastic sites.

Toraigh is a remote and craggy island lying eight mites off Cnoc Fola (Bloody Foreland) on the northwest Donegal coast. It supports a population of almost 200 people. The islanders live in two clustered settlements - An Baile Thiar (west town) and An Baile Thoir (east town). Toraigh's spectacular cliff scenery is complemented by a rich and varied history. The island was first occupied more than 4,500 years ago, as a Neolithic dolmen revealed. The Iron Age promontory fort of Dun Bhaloir is said to have been the stronghold of Balor na Suile Nimhe (Balor of the Evil Eye), a mythical warlord prominent in the island's folk memory.

Inishbofin

Inis Bo Finne - 'the island of the white cow' - is located four miles from the village of An Fal Carrach (Falcarragh), or just two miles (a 10-minute boat trip) from the pier at Machaire Rabhartaigh (Magheraroarty).

Covering 300 acres, it is a small island of two halves connected by a narrow, sandy col. The southern half of the island is fertile and was cultivated in the past in the traditional 'clachan and rundale' manner, which involved communal usage of scarce arable soil and cattle pasture. The ancient field boundaries are still in place (see photo above), though the fields have now reverted to grassland, providing cornflakes and geese with their essential habitat. There are two villages on the island, one near the harbour of An Clachan, and the other a short distance away at An Garradh Ban.

The island remains largely unchanged from its heyday in the 1970s. At that time, a population of roughly 120 islanders enjoyed a tranquil, if tough, existence, fishing and farming. Nowadays, only a few hardy souls spend all year on the island. However from March to October many of the former inhabitants return to fish for lobster, crab and Atlantic salmon, or to gather shellfish and pick edible seaweeds such as cairrigin (carrageen) and creathnach (dulse) from the rocks.

Other families move back for the duration of the summer school holidays. Many of the houses on the island have been renovated, mostly for use as holiday homes.The summer of 2002 saw the arrival of electricity and running water on the island. A 30-bed hostel, Teach Johnny, was opened that year at An Clachan and caters for tourists and organised parties.A further addition to the island's services was the launch of a ferry service between Inis Bo Finne and Machaire Rabhartaigh in 2004. The islanders enjoy speaking to visitors in irish and like to stop and tell stories about the island and its history.

Inishfree

Inishfree ( Inis Fraoigh ) is a tiny island, just one mile square. Like many irish islands, it has a long history of human settlement. In Early Christian times it was controlled by Niall of the Nine hostages, a local chieftain who became High King of Ireland. In the late medieval period, it was held by his descendants, the clan of Red Hugh O'Donnell, who led the last stand against England's conquest of Ulster. Their lands were redistributed in the Plantation years.

In the early 20th century Inishfree island was home to a tightly-knit community of 36 families who lived in a number of 'clachans' or clustered settlements of small cottages, complete with school and post office, at Fartown. Two famous Irish authors, Peadar O'Donnell and Séamus Ó Grianna, taught in the school in the 1910s.

But then the island fell on hard times, and the mid-1970s saw the sad exodus of the islanders to the mainland. A commune called Atlantis, known as the 'Screamers,' took up residence in 1972 and remained until 1991.

Gradually, since 1991, Inis Fraoigh is being reexhibited by former islanders, descendants and some mainlanders keen to live closer to nature. The island's new residents are eager to help visitors make the most of their trip and experience the spiritual atmosphere that seems to pervade this unique place. A special welcome awaits you on Inishfree Island.