Inishbiggle facts for kids
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Native name:
Inis Bigil
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_(cropped).jpg)
View to Inisbiggle from nearby Achill Island
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 Inishbiggle
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 53°59′45″N 9°54′15″W / 53.99583°N 9.90417°W |
| Administration | |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Mayo |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 18 |
Inishbiggle (which means "Vigil Island" in Irish) is a small island where people live. It's located off the coast of Ballycroy in County Mayo, Ireland.
Contents
Exploring Inishbiggle's Location
Inishbiggle is found between Achill Island and the mainland of Ireland. You can reach it by boat from Doran's Point in Ballycroy or from Bullsmouth on Achill Island. The island is about 2.5 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide. This means it covers an area of about 2.6 square kilometers, which is roughly 650 acres.
Life and Activities on Inishbiggle
The main activities on Inishbiggle are sheep and cattle farming. People also go fishing and collect winkles (a type of sea snail). In the past, the island had a school and a post office, but these are now closed.
The population of Inishbiggle is quite small, with only a few dozen residents, most of whom are elderly.
Getting to Inishbiggle
Getting to Inishbiggle can be tricky. The island is separated from Achill Island by the Bullsmouth Channel. This channel has some of the strongest currents in Europe. Even though a boat trip in good weather takes only about ten minutes in a traditional currach (a type of Irish boat), the currents can make the island impossible to reach during winter. For emergencies, a helicopter is used.
There were plans to build a cable-car across the Bullsmouth Channel. Discussions about this started in 1996. However, these plans were stopped because of the very high cost. The money was instead used to help redevelop the bridge to Achill Island. The local council also felt the cable-car would spoil the beautiful views and cause traffic problems.
How Inishbiggle's Population Has Changed
The number of people living on Inishbiggle has changed a lot over time. In the mid-1800s, there were around 60-70 people. The population grew to over 170 by 1881. However, since the 1920s, the number of residents has generally decreased. By 2016, only 18 people lived on the island.
