Inch Island facts for kids
|
Native name:
An Inse / Inis na nOsirí
|
|
|---|---|
Inch Island from Grianan of Aileach
|
|
 Inch Island
Location in island of Ireland
|
|
| Geography | |
| Location | Lough Swilly |
| Coordinates | 55°03′54″N 7°29′42″W / 55.065°N 7.495°W |
| Area | 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | Donegal |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 448 (2011) |
Inch Island (Irish: An Inse, meaning The Island) is a small island in Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland. It is also known by its Irish name Inis na nOsirí, which means 'Island of the Oysters'.
Contents
Island Geography and History
Inch Island is about 5 square miles (13 square kilometres) in size. It sits in Lough Swilly, close to the village of Burt. The island is connected to the mainland by a special road called a causeway. This road is known as the Inch Banks. The highest point on the island is a hill that reaches 222 meters (728 feet) high.
Island Population Changes
The number of people living on Inch Island has changed over many years. Here is a look at how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The information above comes from a book called Discover the Islands of Ireland and official records from the Census of Ireland.
Important Buildings and History
Inch Island has some interesting old buildings and historical sites. Near a place called Carnaghan, you can find the remains of an ancient portal tomb. This is a very old type of burial site made from large stones. There is also a burial chamber nearby, which might have been built using parts of the original tomb.
A castle from the 15th century, called Inch Castle, stands on a cliff. It looks out over Lough Swilly. The island also has two churches. The Presbyterian church is quite small, with only about 14 families as members. The Catholic church, often called 'the Chapel', was built in 1932 and is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Nature and Birdwatching
Inch Island is a fantastic place for birdwatching. Many different kinds of birds come here, especially during winter or when they are migrating. You might spot birds like the Greenland white-fronted goose, the beautiful whooper swan, and the greylag goose.
Fun for Visitors: Tourism
The Inch Wildfowl Reserve is a great spot for outdoor activities. It has an 8-kilometer (5-mile) looped path perfect for walking, running, or cycling. The reserve offers two car parks, places to sit, and viewpoints where you can enjoy the scenery. There are also special bird hides that are open to everyone, allowing you to watch the birds without disturbing them. This scenic path goes around the edge of the lake, giving you amazing views of the farms and wetlands around the island.
