Mutton Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Oileán Caorach
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Fort on Mutton Island
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 Mutton Island
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 52°48′45.11″N 9°31′26.76″W / 52.8125306°N 9.5241000°W |
| Area | 0.9698 km2 (0.3744 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Clare |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Mutton Island is a small, empty island located in the Atlantic Ocean. It sits off the coast of County Clare, Ireland. The island is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the mainland. The closest village to Mutton Island is Quilty, which is roughly 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) away.
Even though no people live on Mutton Island today, it is still used. It's mainly a place where sheep can graze. You can also find several old, abandoned houses and two forts on the island.
Exploring Mutton Island
It's not easy to visit Mutton Island. There isn't a public boat service that goes there. The island also doesn't have a special dock or a boat slipway for boats to land easily. You won't find any buildings with roofs on the island. However, there is a small amount of fresh water available.
A Glimpse into Mutton Island's Past
Mutton Island has an interesting history. People actually lived on the island until the 1920s. Imagine living on an island without a bridge or regular boat service!
Scientists believe that Mutton Island was once connected to the mainland. This connection might have existed until the year 804. Over time, the land between the island and the mainland was covered by the sea. This turned Mutton Island into the separate island we see today.
