Oileán Thoraí / Toraigh (Tory Island)

Ireland / Donegal / Letterkenny /
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Tory Island (Irish: Oileán Thoraigh, island of the tower), is an island 12 km off the north-west coast of County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland. It is approximately 5 km (3 miles) long and 1 km (0.75 miles) wide.

It has a population of 170, divided among four towns — An Baile Thoir, An Baile Thiar, Middletown and Newtown. It is part of the Donegal Gaeltacht and Ulster Irish is widely spoken on the island.

Since the 1950s, the island has been home to a small community of artists, and has its own art gallery. The English artist Derek Hill is associated with the Tory artist community. One of the artists is Patsaí Dan Mac Ruairí, who holds the position of Rí Thoraí (King of Tory). This King has no formal power, but is chosen by consensus of the islanders to represent the community.

In the apocryphal history of Ireland, Lebor Gabála Érenn, Tory Island was the site of Conand's Tower, the stronghold of the Fomorians, before they were defeated by the Nemedians in a great battle on the island. The later Fomorian king Balor of the evil eye also lived here. Balor would imprison Ethlinn in a tower built atop Tor Mór.

The British frigate HMS Wasp, sent to collect taxes, was shipwrecked near the lighthouse. 52 of the 58 on board lost their lives on 22 September 1884.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory_Island
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   55°15'52"N   8°13'19"W

Comments

  • Re the Wasp sinking, the crew numbered 56 and 50 were lost.
This article was last modified 16 years ago