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.
Native name: Inis Caoil | |
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Inishkeel | |
Geography | |
Location | Atlantic Ocean |
Coordinates | 54°50′51″N 8°27′22″W |
Area | 0.391 km2 (0.151 sq mi)[1] |
Administration | |
Ireland | |
Province | Ulster |
County | Donegal |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 (2011[2]) |
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]
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]
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]
Media related to Inishkeel at Wikimedia Commons
Places in County Donegal | ||
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County town: Lifford | ||
Towns |
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Villages |
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Townlands | ||
Islands | ||
Other regions | ||
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