Inch Island ([Patrick McKay, A Dictionary of Ulster Place-Names, p. 82. The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, 1999.]) is in Lough Swilly, a sea lough in County Donegal on the northern coast of Ireland.[ Discoverer Series Sheet 7 (F Edition). Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (O.S.N.I.), Land and Property Services, Belfast, 2017.][ Discovery Series Sheet 2 (3rd Edition). Ordnance Survey of Ireland (O.S.I.), Dublin, 2005.] Inch is also the name of the civil parish covering the island.[
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Geography and History
Inch Island is around 5 square miles (13 square kilometres) in area.
Population
The table reports data taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the Census of Ireland.
Buildings
The remains of a portal tomb with a nearby burial chamber, probably constructed using parts of the original tomb, is located near Carnaghan (Irish language: Baile Mhic Cearnachain) on the south-western part of the island.
A 15th century castle, known as Inch Castle, stands on a cliff overlooking Lough Swilly. At the northern tip of the island is Inch Fort, an early 19C defensive structure.
The island's Presbyterian church is one of the smallest of the surrounding area (just some 14 families are members of it);
Nature
Inch island is a well known birdwatching site with a relevant population of migratory and wintering birds. Bird species on the island include Greenland white fronted goose, whooper swan and greylag goose.
Tourism
Inch Wildfowl Reserve features an 8 km looped walk, catering for outdoor recreational activity including walking, running and cycling. The site includes two car parks, seating, viewpoints and a number of bird hides open to the public. This scenic pathway follows around the lake edge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding agricultural landscape and wetlands.
See also
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List of islands of Ireland
External links
