| Native name: Inis Caoil | |
|---|---|
 Building at the south east end of Inishkeel | |
  Inishkeel | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 54°50′51″N 8°27′22″W / 54.84750°N 8.45611°W / 54.84750; -8.45611 |
| Area | 0.391 km (0.151 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Ireland | |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | Donegal |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2011) |
Inishkeel (Irish: Inis Caoil) is a small tidal island and townland off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The closest village on the mainland is Narin. The island is in a civil parish of the same name.
Geography
The island is located in Gweebarra Bay around 250 m from the coast. A sandy tidal bank connects, with low tide, the island with the mainland.
History
During the 6th century A.D. a small community of monks settled on the island. Their religious leader was Saint Conall Cael, from whom the island later derived its name. During the following centuries Inishkeel was a traditional destination of pilgrimages. Remains of the church and the connected buildings as well as some carved stones can be seen on the island. For its artistical and archeological importance the island was declared National Monument (code: DG064-003). A bell known as St Conall Cael's Bell remained on Inishkeel up to the 19th century and was then acquired by the British Museum.
Demography
A small community used to live on Inishkeel in the past, and in year 1841 23 inhabitants were registered on the island. The island was later abandoned and in 2011 census had no inhabitants.
References
- ^ "Inishkeel Townland, Co. Donegal". www.townlands.ie. Cóipcheart Townlands.ie. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ Population (Number) by Off Shore Island, Year and Sex Central Statistics Office
- ^ Liam Ronayne (2000). Donegal: South of the Gap. Dundurn. ISBN 9781900935159. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- "Inis Caoil/Inishkeel". Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- "Inishkeel Monastic Site". www.megalithicireland.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship (PDF). National Monuments Service / Seirbhís na Séadcomharthaí Náisiúnta. 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- Rowena Loverance (2007). Christian Art. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674024793. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- Commissioners 4th Rpt, p.15 Newport West E Division
See also
Media related to Inishkeel at Wikimedia Commons
