Inishlyre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Inishlyre

Native name: Inis Laidhre
Inishlyre Location in island of Ireland
Geography
Location	Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	53°49′24″N 9°39′11″W / 53.82333°N 9.65306°W / 53.82333; -9.65306
Administration
Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	Mayo
Demographics
Population	4 (2011)

Inishlyre (pronounced In-ish-LYRE) is a small island in Clew Bay, Ireland. Its Irish name, Inis Laidhre, means "Fork Island." It's one of the few small islands in the bay that still has people living on it. In 2011, only about four people called Inishlyre home.

Where is Inishlyre?

Inishlyre is found in Clew Bay, off the coast of County Mayo in western Ireland. It's quite close to the mainland, near a place called Rosmoney Pier and the village of Kilmeena.

A Look Back: Inishlyre's History

Inishlyre used to be a much busier place. In 1851, there were 17 houses and 122 people living on the island. By 1911, the number of homes had dropped to 6, and only 22 people remained.

In the 1800s, Inishlyre was an important stop for ships. It even had two pubs! Sea merchants would bring their goods to the island. This was because the nearby town of Westport didn't have a deep-sea harbor at the time.

How Inishlyre's Population Changed Over Time

The table below shows how the number of people living on Inishlyre has changed over many years. This information comes from official population counts, called a Census, and a book called Discover the Islands of Ireland.