The Isle of the White Cow

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. We brought a group of local people and visitors to the island last year and made dinner, told stories, went swimming and walked the length and breadth of the place.

Well worth a visit the 'village' street and other scattered houses, and the old and now abandoned school house give an insight into a way of life that is fast disappearing from the atlantic fringes of Europe and Ireland. Michael or 'Micheál' (pron. Mee Haul) will come out in most weather to transport you and tell a few tales as well. Most visitors to the mainland pier head for the larger island - Tory - but they are missing this little green gem.

With the pictures attached to this  blog you'll notice some images taken inside the old (new) island chapel and at the very end are some old photos lent to me by one of the islanders of its original consecration back in 1966. Note the Stations of the Cross pictures and their accompanying crucifixes - still the originals! Lovely sense of time.