Inishbofin (Co. Donegal)

Inishbofin / Inis Bó Finne (“Island of the White Cow”), (winter pop. 8) is situated 3 km / 2 mi (ten minutes by boat) from the pier at Magheroarty / Gortahork / Machaire / Rabhartaigh   from which a regular ferry service has run since 2004.

Covering 300 acres, this island has 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, involving communal usage of scarce arable soil and cattle pasture. The ancient field boundaries are still in place, though the fields have now reverted to grassland, providing essential habitat for geese and especially corncrakes – flourishing here, unlike in the rest of the country

There are two former villages on the island, one near the harbour of An Clachan, and the other a short distance away at An Garradh Ban.

As recently as the 1960s, 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, farming on a part-time basis. 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

Until recently, there were no visitors’ facilities of any kind on the island.  The summer of 2002 saw the arrival of electricity and running water, and the opening of a 30-bed hostel at An Clachan.

The islanders enjoy speaking to visitors (preferably in Irish) and like telling stories about the island and its history.

Inishdooey / Inis Dhubhnach is a small uninhabited island, especially noted for the magnificent arches and caves on its eastern side. It also has the ruins of a church (Saint Dubhthach / Dooey). The three masted Loch Ryan was shipwrecked here in 1942.

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