Dorinish facts for kids
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Native name:
Deoirinis
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 Dorinish
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean (Clew Bay) |
| Coordinates | 53°48′44.68″N 9°40′17.65″W / 53.8124111°N 9.6715694°W |
| Area | 19.74 acres (7.99 ha) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Mayo |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Dorinish (in Irish: Deoirinis) is a small, empty island. It is located in Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland.
This island became famous in the 1970s. A group of people called Hippies lived there for a short time. They started a special community with help from the island's owner, John Lennon. He was a very famous musician from the band The Beatles.
Island History
John Lennon and the Hippie Community
The famous musician John Lennon bought Dorinish island in 1967. He paid about £1,700 for it. Before that, ships used the island for its stones. John Lennon hoped the island would be a peaceful place for his family.
After John Lennon and his wife Cynthia separated, the island was not used for a while. Then, in 1970, Lennon invited some people to live there. These people were led by Sid Rawle, who was known as the "King of the Hippies."
For about two years, around 25 hippies lived on Dorinish. They grew their own food and raised their children there. They called themselves 'the Diggers'. Sid Rawle later said that living on Dorinish was both wonderful and difficult.
In 1972, a fire destroyed the main supply tent on the island. After this, the community decided to leave.
After the Commune
After John Lennon passed away, his wife Yoko Ono sold the island. She sold it for almost £30,000. She gave all the money to an orphanage in Ireland.
Today, Dorinish island is empty of people. Farmers sometimes use it for their animals to eat grass. Some fans of The Beatles also visit the island. They want to see the place where John Lennon once owned land. In July 2011, a summer art school called "Aerial Blue" was held on the island.
Island Population
Dorinish island is currently not home to any people. It is an uninhabited island. In the past, a few people lived there at different times, but it has been empty for many years now.
