Inishkeel

Inishkeel (Irish: Inis Caoil)^[3] is a small tidal island and townland^[1] off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The closest village on the mainland is Narin. The island is in a civil parish of the same name.^[4]

Inishkeel

Native name: Inis Caoil
Building at the south east end of Inishkeel
Inishkeel
Geography
Location	Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	54°50′51″N 8°27′22″W
Area	0.391 km2 (0.151 sq mi)[1]
Administration
Ireland
Province	Ulster
County	Donegal
Demographics
Population	0 (2011[2])

Geography

The island is located in Gweebarra Bay around 250 m from the coast. A sandy tidal bank connects, with low tide, the island with the mainland.^[3]

History

St Conall Cael's Bell

During the 6th century A.D. a small community of monks settled on the island.^[5] Their religious leader was Saint Conall Cael, from whom the island later derived its name. During the following centuries Inishkeel was a traditional destination of pilgrimages. Remains of the church and the connected buildings as well as some carved stones can be seen on the island.^[6] For its artistical and archeological importance the island was declared National Monument (code: DG064-003).^[7] A bell known as St Conall Cael's Bell remained on Inishkeel up to the 19th century and was then acquired by the British Museum.^[8]

Demography

A small community used to live on Inishkeel in the past, and in year 1841 23 inhabitants were registered on the island.^[9] The island was later abandoned and in 2011 census had no inhabitants.^[2]