 Inch Island fromGrianan of Aileach | |
  Inch Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Lough Swilly |
| Coordinates | 55°03′54″N7°29′42″W / 55.065°N 7.495°W /55.065; -7.495 |
| Area | 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | Donegal |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 396 (2022)[3] |
Inch Island (Irish:An Inis, meaning 'the island'[4][5]) is inLough Swilly, a sealough inCounty Donegal on the northern coast of Ireland.[6][7] Inch is also the name of thecivil parish covering the island.[4]
Inch Island is around 5 square miles (13 square kilometres) in area.[8] The island lies inLough Swilly, Inch being just off the south-western coast of theInishowen mainland, near the village ofBurt.[6] Inch Island is connected to the mainland by acauseway road, known as the Inch Banks. The island's highest hill, Inch Top, is 222 metres in height.[6][9] AnotherIrish language name for Inch Island isInis na nOsirí, meaning 'Island of the Oysters'.[1][2]
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| Source:John Chambers."Islands - Change in Population 1841 - 2011".irishislands.info. Retrieved19 February 2015. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table reports data taken fromDiscover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and theCensus of Ireland.
The remains of aportal tomb with a nearbyburial chamber, probably constructed using parts of the original tomb, is located near Carnaghan (Irish:Baile Mhic Cearnachain) on the south-western part of the island.[10]
A 15th century castle, known asInch Castle, stands on a cliff overlookingLough Swilly. At the northern tip of the island isInch Fort, an early 19C defensive structure.
The island'sPresbyterian church is one of the smallest of the surrounding area (just some 14 families are members of it);[11] the island'sCatholic church, usually known simply as 'the Chapel', is dedicated toOur Lady of Lourdes and was built in 1932.[8]
Inch island is a well knownbirdwatching site with a relevant population of migratory and wintering birds. Bird species on the island includeGreenland white fronted goose,whooper swan andgreylag goose.[12]
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.[13]
