Inishkeel

Inishkeel (Irish: Inis Caoil)[3] is a small tidal island and a townland[1] off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The closest village on the mainland is Narin.

Inishkeel
Native name:
Inis Caoil
Building at the south east end of Inishkeel
Inishkeel
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates54°50′51″N 8°27′22″W
Area0.391 km2 (0.151 sq mi)[1]
Administration
ProvinceUlster
CountyDonegal
Demographics
Population0 (2011[2])

Geography

The island is located in Gweebarra Bay around 250 m from the coast. A sandy tidal bank connects, with low tide, the island with the mainland.[3]

History
St Conall Cael's Bell

During the 6th century A.D. a small community of monks settled on the island. Their religious leader was Saint Conall Cael, from whom the island later derived its name. During the following centuries Inishkeel was a traditional destination of pilgrimages. Remains of the church and the connected buildings as well as some carved stones can be seen on the island.[4] For its artistical and archeological importance the island was declared National Monument (code: DG064-003).[5] A bell known as St Conall Cael's Bell remained on Inishkeel up to the 19th century and was then acquired by the British Museum.[6]

Demography

A small community used to live on Inishkeel in the past, and in year 1841 23 inhabitants were registered on the island.[7] The island was later abandoned and in 2011 census had no inhabitants.[2]

References
Church ruins and a carved stone on the island
  1. "Inishkeel Townland, Co. Donegal". www.townlands.ie. Cóipcheart Townlands.ie. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  2. Population (Number) by Off Shore Island, Year and Sex Central Statistics Office
  3. Liam Ronayne (2000). Donegal: South of the Gap. Dundurn. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  4. "Inishkeel Monastic Site". www.megalithicireland.com. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  5. National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship (PDF). National Monuments Service / Seirbhís na Séadcomharthaí Náisiúnta. 2009. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  6. Rowena Loverance (2007). Christian Art. Harvard University Press. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  7. Commissioners 4th Rpt, p.15 Newport West E Division

See also

Media related to Inishkeel at Wikimedia Commons

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