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Wikipedia / Inishturk

Inishturk (Inis Toirc in Irish, meaning Wild Boar Island) is an inhabited island of County Mayo, in Ireland.

Geography

The island lies about off the coast; its highest point reaches above sea level. Between Inisturk and Clare Island lies Caher Island. It has a permanent population of 58 people. The main settlements, Ballyheer, Garranty, Bellavaun and Craggy are all on the more sheltered southern and eastern sides of the island.

History

Inishturk has been inhabited on and off since 4,000 BCE and has been inhabited permanently since at least 1700. Some of the island's more recent inhabitants are descended from evacuees from Inishark to the southwest.

A Martello tower was built during the Napoleonic Wars, , on Inishturk's western coast.

Recent history

In 1993, Inishturk Community centre was opened, this community centre doubles as a library and a pub. In June 2014 the ESB commissioned three new Broadcrown BCP 110-50 100kVA diesel generators to supply electricity to the island. The ESB have operated a diesel power station on the island since the 1980s.

Inishturk gained international attention in 2016 after a number of websites claimed that the island would welcome any American "refugees" fleeing a potential Donald Trump presidency.

The island is home to a primary school on the island which in 2011 had only 3 pupils; this is believed to be the smallest primary school in Ireland.

In May 2025, a new helipad was opened on the island, allowing for quick evacuations by helicopter in the event of an emergency.

In May 2026, Ireland's "first dedicated native honey bee sanctuary" was established on the island.

Demographics

The table below reports data on Inisturk's population taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the Census of Ireland.

Transport

Prior to 1997 there was no scheduled ferry service and people traveled to and from the islands using local fishing boats. Since then a ferry service operates from Roonagh Quay, Louisburgh, County Mayo. The pier was constructed during the 1980s by the Irish government, around this time the roads on the island were paved.

Gallery

See also

References