Dyane's ramblings: Writing workshop on Inishturk Island July 19

Our little ferry from the mainland to Inishturk

Looking down at the ferry, the church and the house where four of us stayed

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.

Only some of the very happy sheep on Inishturk

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.

Walking down a little road to Mary's house

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.

Walking across island of Inishturk

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.