Inishkeel_Island

Inishkeel

Inishkeel

Irish monastery


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.

Quick Facts Native name: Inis Caoil, Geography ...

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 9 May 2016.
  2. Liam Ronayne (2000). Donegal: South of the Gap. Dundurn. ISBN 9781900935159. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. "Inishkeel Monastic Site". www.megalithicireland.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  4. National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship (PDF). National Monuments Service / Seirbhís na Séadcomharthaí Náisiúnta. 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  5. Rowena Loverance (2007). Christian Art. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674024793. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  6. Commissioners 4th Rpt, p.15 Newport West E Division

See also

Media related to Inishkeel at Wikimedia Commons


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