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Our little ferry from the mainland to Inishturk
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Looking down at the ferry, the church and the house where four of us stayed
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View of Crogh Patrick on the mainland from our place at the bottom of the hill and a few steps from the ferry on the island of Inishturk.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ISLAND
Inishturk is a small beautiful island, 5km x 2.5km, located 9 miles
(14.5km) off the west coast of Mayo, between the islands of
Inishbofin and Clare Island. It rises boldly from the wild North
Atlantic in wall like-cliffs to the north-west and steep hills to the
north on which stands the ruins of the old Napoleonic signal
tower 688 ft above sea level.
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Only some of the very happy sheep on Inishturk
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Inishturk, meaning ‘the Island of the Wild Boar’ in Irish, has been
inhabited on and off since 4,000BCE and in its present phase since
at least 1700. The old settlers seem to have congregated at the
southwest corner round the beautiful little harbour of Portdoon,
where there is ample archeological evidence of their presence.
The ancestry of the current population includes Wicklow, Wexford
and Galway. Some of the dominant names include O’Toole,
Heanue and Concannon, names from Leinster, Ulster as well as the
nearby Connemara Gaeltacht.
Traditionally islanders have emigrated since the famine, to
America and England. As a result, the island is now English
speaking, although at the beginning of the 20th century irish was
the first language. Inishturk has a good main harbour with a new
improved pier, fine beaches and many interesting archeological
sites.
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Walking down a little road to Mary's house
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Geologically Inishturk dates from the Ordovician period. Two
separate folds of schists and shales rise out of the Atlantic to form
Inishturk, which is a continuation of the same folds as Croagh
Patrick on the Mayo mainland.
Inishturk has much to offer the outdoor enthusiast – it is a
painter’s paradise; ornithology enthusiasts will be enthralled by
the number of bird sanctuaries on the island cliffs. The flora of
inishturk is of international importance, The Spotted Rock-Rose
(Tuberaria guttata), a rare endangered plant, is found here. Fiadh
have been located on the island.
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Walking across island of Inishturk
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The island is ideal for deep sea diving and boat trips to the
neighbouring islands can be easily organised; Celtic and early
Christian fortified habitations are to be found and many fulachta.
On the eastern side of the island are “Tranaun” and “Curraun”-
sandy beaches which boast the clearest blue waters and some of
the best views in Europe. Completely sheltered by coves, they are
ideal for young and old alike to indulge in a bit of swimming.
Fishing for the Inishturk lobster and the Islands’s huge edible
crabclaws are the main commercial activity on the Island, these
along with the many coastal fish are served fresh in the island’s B
& B’s.
The waters off the west coast of mayo offer excellent bait for
angling enthusiasts. Boat trips can be arranged on the Island.
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Monument, sea fishing connecting families to home land
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Not only do dogs love the rhythm and flow of the sea!
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Bathing belles who love to write ...
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Connie dressed warm to watch the swimmers!
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Back to Gus' place for a 'one on one' writing workshop
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Reading a favourite 'final product' after five days of workshops ~ in the bar on Wednesday night
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One of our many meals in the community centre
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Rita attacks her enormous pile of fish ...
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Some of us relaxing after a tasty meal
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