Inishbofin (Inis Bó Finne in Irish, meaning Island of the White Cow) is an island lying about 8 kilometers (5 miles) off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Connemara (in Irish: Conamara) which derives from Conmhaicne Mara (meaning descendants of Con Mhac of the sea is a district in the west of County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe is located on the West Coast of Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world It is about 5. 5 km (3½ mi) long and 3 km (2 mi) wide, and has around 200 inhabitants. The island is popular with artists. Inishbofin can be reached by ferry from the pier in Cleggan. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Cleggan (An Cloigeann meaning head) is a picturesque fishing village in County Galway, Ireland. There is also a helipad, and an airstrip is planned. There are three hotels on the island, the Days, Murrays and the Dolphin, as well as a hostel. A community centre includes a small island library.
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History
The island's English name Inishbofin is derived from the Irish name Inis Bó Finne (Island of the White Cow). County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe is located on the West Coast of Ireland. The name has its origins in a local legend. The island has been occupied continuously since the Bronze Age. In 668, Saint Colmán founded a monastery[1] on Inishbofin which survived until the 10th century[2]. Events By Place Europe Childeric II succeeds Clotaire III as King of the Franks. Colmán of Lindisfarne (c 605 -February 18 675) also known as Saint Colmán was Bishop of Lindisfarne from 661 It is also home to the ruins of Cromwell's barracks, constructed in 1652. When the much hated Cromwell was in power, Inishbofin was transformed into a penal colony for Catholic clergy. Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". An unfortunate bishop was tied to "Bishop's Rock" at low tide and drowned as the waters rose.
Inishbofin is also home to Dún Gráinne, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen, as well as the ruins of a Celtic fort dating to 1000 B. Gráinne Ní Mháille (c 1530 – c 1603 also known as Granuaile or Gráinne Mhaol, known in English as Grace O'Malley, is an important Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts C. Inishbofin is believed to have been continuously inhabited for up to 10,000 years. [1] Islanders refer to the fort, which is a good example of a 17th century 'star' fort as 'Oliver Cromwell's Fort'. Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 Old Style &ndash 3 September 1658 Old Style) was an English military and political leader best known It was built in the 1650's during the Cromwellian wars to command the harbour entrance. The Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649-53 refers to the re-conquest of Ireland by the forces of the English Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell Inishbofin was one of the most important shipping havens on the West coast of Ireland in the days of sail. It was one of the last Royalist strongholds to fall to Cromwell's army and was garrisoned by them until the end of the century. The Cromwellians used it as a staging post for Irish men and women who were being transported to the West Indies. [3]
The current population of approximately 200 is down from a historical high of over 1000 in the 1840's.
An aspect of the island is that it has no trees or forests whatsoever. Any wood was cut down and used as heating fuel. Because of the salt-enriched air, trees were never able to re-establish themselves. Instead, a popular fuel on the island is peat turf. Peat is an accumulation of partially Decayed Vegetation matter. Cut from peat bogs, the turf is dried and makes a pleasant-smelling fire. There are currently 182 people living on the Island.
Literature
Mid 20th-century life on Inishbofin was chronicled in a book written by Deborah Tall in 1985 called the "Island of the White Cow". She lived on the island for 5 years in the early 1970's. [4]
External links
Notes
- ^ St. Colman. Retrieved on 2006-09-17. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec
- ^ Inishbofin. Retrieved on 2006-09-17. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec
- ^ Hoffstoff, Darlyn Brewer. Where Legends Outnumber People, The New York Times. Published August 1, 1999. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Accessed February 6, 2007. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Amazon.com: The Island of the White Cow: Deborah Tall: Books
See also
This article related to the geography of County Galway, Ireland is a stub. County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe is located on the West Coast of Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic