Inis Bo Finne - 'the island of the white cow' - is located four miles from the village of An Fal Carrach (Falcarragh), or just two miles (a 10-minute boat trip) from the pier at Machaire Rabhartaigh (Magheraroarty).
Covering 300 acres, it is a small island of two halves connected by a narrow, sandy col. The southern half of the island is fertile and was cultivated in the past in the traditional 'clachan and rundale' manner, which involved communal usage of scarce arable soil and cattle pasture. The ancient field boundaries are still in place (see photo above), though the fields have now reverted to grassland, providing cornflakes and geese with their essential habitat.
There are two villages on the island, one near the harbour of An Clachan, and the other a short distance away at An Garradh Ban.
The island remains largely unchanged from its heyday in the 1970s. At that time, a population of roughly 120 islanders enjoyed a tranquil, if tough, existence, fishing and farming. Nowadays, only a few hardy souls spend all year on the island. However from March to October many of the former inhabitants return to fish for lobster, crab and Atlantic salmon, or to gather shellfish and pick edible seaweeds such as cairrigin (carrageen) and creathnach (dulse) from the rocks.
Other families move back for the duration of the summer school holidays. Many of the houses on the island have been renovated, mostly for use as holiday homes.
The summer of 2002 saw the arrival of electricity and running water on the island. A 30-bed hostel, Teach Johnny, was opened that year at An Clachan and caters for tourists and organised parties.
A further addition to the island's services was the launch of a ferry service between Inis Bo Finne and Machaire Rabhartaigh in 2004.
The islanders enjoy speaking to visitors in irish and like to stop and tell stories about the island and its history.
So why not come and see it all for yourself? You will always be made welcome. We promise you an experience that you will never forget, one that will live with you forever as you imagine how our ancestors lived in times past. We hope that you find the time to enjoy it with us.
