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Inishtrahull Island : Malin Head |
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Address :
Malin
Surrounding Area :
Inishowen
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Description :
Inishtrahull Island (Irish: Inis Trá Thall)meaning Island of the bloody beach, is located approx 10 kilometres (6 miles) north-east of Malin Head, Inishowen, County Donegal and is the most northerly island of Ireland. The most northerly landfall of Ireland is Tor Rocks located another 1km to the North West of Inishtrahull. It lies at latitude 55.43ºN.[1]
Inishtrahull lighthouse
Geology
The island is formed from a type of the Gneiss metamorphic rock known as Inishtrahull Gneiss, dated at 1700 million years old. The gneiss is the oldest known rock on the Irish Islands, however studies have shown that the island was originally part of southern Greenland. Roddy Muir, a Scottish Geologist, in the McCallion report, argued for geological links between Greenland, Colonsay, Islay and Inishtrahull.
Muir visited this area and used Plate tectonics to conclude that Inishtrahull was part of the Southern tip of Greenland c.1800 million years ago. He believes that Inishtrahull, Islay and Colonsay broke off the southern tip of Greenland, Islay and Colonsay moving to the western area of Scotland and Inishtrahull moving 800 miles to the south east of Greenland off the Donegal Coast.
History
The name of the island is thought to refer to a bloody episode between some of the islanders and men of Islay (a near-by scottish island) where the men of Islay were tricked and slain while trying to rescue a woman. The island was uninhabited until the 1920's and once a had a population of over 100 people. It is over 80 acres in size and crops of oats and potatoes were grown in the late 1800's. Fishing was a major part of the island's economy. Being the first and last point of landfall for cargo and passenger liners leaving from Scotland, Liverpool and Irelands northerly ports the islanders offered fresh fish in exchange for wiskey and salt. Today there are a number of ruined houses and a ruined lighthouse on the Island as well as a new (1956) lighthouse. Inishtrahull is well known for its wildlife and is designated a Nature reserve by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The islands geographical location and lighthouse attract many unusual birds, as well as a population of Grey Seals. The island and its adjacent 90 meter depth tidal sound attract basking sharks and cetaceans in large numbers during the summer months. Many scuba-divers use the Islands Port Mór as a lunch spot while out surveying the 100's of wrecks off its shores. Access to the island is limited by the dangerous tides and currents around Malin head and the island itself. There are landing restrictions enforced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Irish Lights (present owners of the Island). Particular care is requested by visitors during the breeding bird period of May - July.
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Contact Details :
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