Innisfallen Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Inis Faithlinn
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The ruins of Innisfallen Abbey seen from the lake
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 Innisfallen
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Lough Leane |
| Coordinates | 52°02′45″N 9°33′13″W / 52.04583°N 9.55361°W |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Kerry |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Innisfallen (also called Inishfallen) is a beautiful island in Lough Leane. This lake is one of the three famous Lakes of Killarney. You can find Innisfallen in County Kerry, Ireland. The name "Innisfallen" comes from the Irish "Inis Faithlinn," which means "Faithlinn's island."
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History of Innisfallen
Innisfallen Island is home to the amazing ruins of Innisfallen Abbey. This old monastery is one of the most important archaeological sites in Killarney National Park. It shows us what life was like during the early Christian period in Ireland.
A monk named St. Finian the Leper founded the monastery in the year 640. Monks lived and worked here for about 950 years. For around 300 of those years, the monks wrote down important events. They created the famous Annals of Innisfallen. These writings tell us about the early history of Ireland.
The Famous Annals
The Annals of Innisfallen are a collection of historical records. They were written by the monks of Innisfallen Abbey. These records cover events from ancient times up to the year 1320. They are a very important source for understanding early Irish history.
The name of the lake, Lough Leane, means "Lake of Learning" in Irish. Many people believe it got this name because of the monastery on Innisfallen. It was a place where people went to learn.
According to old stories, a famous Irish king, Brian Boru, studied at Innisfallen. He was taught by a scholar named Maelsuthain O'Carroll. Some historians think Maelsuthain O'Carroll might have started writing the Annals. The monks continued to live at the abbey until August 18, 1594. At that time, Elizabeth I, the Queen of England, took control of the abbey.
Visiting Innisfallen Island
If you want to explore Innisfallen Island, you can! During the summer months, boats take tourists to the island. These boats leave from Ross Castle throughout the day. It's a great way to see the historic ruins and enjoy the beautiful lake.
What's Left of the Abbey?
The abbey was first built in the seventh century. However, the oldest parts you can still see today are from the tenth century. This includes the western two-thirds of the abbey church. The rest of the church and the main abbey buildings were built later, in the thirteenth century. There is also a third building, a small oratory. It has a special doorway with a unique Irish-Romanesque style, and it dates back to the twelfth century.
