Inisboffin Island Travel and Tourism Guide

Inishboffin, or Inis Bo Finne in Gaelic (means Island of the White Cow), sits in the north atlantic about 2 miles offshore from the pier at Magheroarty. About one mile wide and one and a half long, once a busy fishing community it now numbers a few dozen families all of whom spend the winter months on the mainland. 'T' shaped, the island points its craggy cliffs and stone-strewn beaches toward the prevailing north west assaults, but has a wonderful white sand strand on is eastern side. There is now a hostel cum guesthouse on the island which is only a few years old and access to the island by boat is via Michael O'Briain on 00353 87 627 9789. The whole island population was wiped out in the 17th century an re-populated by families from the Gaoth Dobhair district 10 miles away. The predominant name of the settlers 'Coll' or in Gaelic 'Ó Colla' remains common locally to this day.