Inishbofin (Inis Bó Finne in Irish, meaning Island of the White Cow) is an island lying about 8 kilometers (5 miles) off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It is about 5.5 km (3½ mi) long and 3 km (2 mi) wide, and has around 200 inhabitants. The island is popular with artists. Inishbofin can be reached by ferry from the pier in Cleggan. There is also a helipad, and an airstrip is planned. There are three hotels on the island, the Days, Murrays and the Dolphin, as well as a hostel. A community centre includes a small island library.
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The island's English name Inishbofin is derived from the Irish name Inis Bó Finne (Island of the White Cow). The name has its origins in a local legend. The island has been occupied continuously since the Bronze Age. In 668, Saint Colmán founded a monastery[1] on Inishbofin which survived until the 10th century[2]. It is also home to the ruins of Cromwell's barracks, constructed in 1652. When the much hated Cromwell was in power, Inishbofin was transformed into a penal colony for Catholic clergy. An unfortunate bishop was tied to "Bishop's Rock" at low tide and drowned as the waters rose.
Inishbofin is also home to Dún Gráinne, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen, as well as the ruins of a Celtic fort dating to 1000 B.C. Inishbofin is believed to have been continuously inhabited for up to 10,000 years.[1] Islanders refer to the fort, which is a good example of a 17th century 'star' fort as 'Oliver Cromwell's Fort'. It was built in the 1650's during the Cromwellian wars to command the harbour entrance. Inishbofin was one of the most important shipping havens on the West coast of Ireland in the days of sail. It was one of the last Royalist strongholds to fall to Cromwell's army and was garrisoned by them until the end of the century. The Cromwellians used it as a staging post for Irish men and women who were being transported to the West Indies.[3]
The current population of approximately 200 is down from a historical high of over 1000 in the 1840's.
An aspect of the island is that it has no trees or forests whatsoever. Any wood was cut down and used as heating fuel. Because of the salt-enriched air, trees were never able to re-establish themselves. Instead, a popular fuel on the island is peat turf. Cut from peat bogs, the turf is dried and makes a pleasant-smelling fire. There are currently 182 people living on the Island.
Mid 20th-century life on Inishbofin was chronicled in a book written by Deborah Tall in 1985 called the "Island of the White Cow". She lived on the island for 5 years in the early 1970's.[4]
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