Scariff Island facts for kids
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Native name:
An Scairbh
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Scariff Island north side from a yacht
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 Scariff Island
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 51°43′51″N 10°15′01″W / 51.7307°N 10.2502°W |
| Area | 1.48 km2 (0.57 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 252 m (827 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Kerry |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2011) |
| Pop. density | 0 /km2 (0 /sq mi) |
| Scariff Island | |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 252 m (827 ft) |
| Prominence | 252 m (827 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
Scariff Island (called An Scairbh in Irish, which means "Rugged") is a small, wild island located in the Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to County Kerry, Ireland. This beautiful island is known for its quiet history and stunning natural views. Today, no one lives on Scariff Island, making it a peaceful place for nature and wildlife.
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Exploring Scariff Island's Geography
Scariff Island is about 366 acres in size. To give you an idea, that's roughly the same as 275 football fields! It's not flat at all; its highest point is a hill that reaches 252 meters (about 827 feet) above the sea. This makes it a Marilyn, which is a type of hill or mountain in the British Isles that stands out from the land around it.
Where is Scariff Island Located?
This rugged island sits in the vast Atlantic Ocean. It's quite close to another island called Deenish Island, only about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) away. From the mainland, specifically from a place called Hogs Head, Scariff Island is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) out to sea. Its location makes it a remote and special spot.
A Glimpse into Scariff Island's History
Scariff Island has a very interesting past, even though it's uninhabited today. For many years, people lived on this remote island.
Life on the Island in the Past
Back in 1837, records show that only one family lived on Scariff Island. Their main job was to look after the cattle that grazed there. Imagine living on an island with just your family and a herd of cows! It must have been a very quiet and self-sufficient life.
Ancient Ruins and Religious Sites
The island also holds clues to even older times. On the very top of the highest hill, there were remains of an ancient hermitage. A hermitage is a place where a hermit, someone who lives alone for religious reasons, would have stayed. This suggests that Scariff Island was once a place of spiritual retreat. On the east side of the island, there were also ruins of an old church. These ruins tell us that the island had a religious importance long ago.
When Did People Leave Scariff Island?
By the time of the 1911 census, there were no longer any people living on Scariff Island. This means that sometime between 1837 and 1911, the last family moved away, and the island became uninhabited, as it remains today.
