Tory Island

Tory Island is only 3 miles long and it is less than 1 mile wide. Nonetheless it has a population of 170 people who live in its 4 towns, which are: An Baile Thoir (otherwise known as the East Town), An Baile Thiar (otherwise known as the West Town), An Lár 9(Otherwise known as Middletown) and Úrbaile (otherwise known as Newtown). This islands is a part of the Donegal Gaeltacht and Ulster islands.

Its main language is Irish. Nevertheless, the island still maintains its very own dialect of the Irish language that is spoken. This island has been the home to a small community of artists ever since the 1950s. Together they have put together their very own art gallery.

One of the well-known English artists that is associated with this artist community is Derek Hill. Another person who is associated with this community is Patsaí Dan Mac Ruaidhrí, who is also known as Patsy Dan Rodgers. He holds the position of Rí Thoraí (King of Tory).

While this King has no formal power, they are chosen by a consensus of those who live on the island to represent the community. While acting as king, Patsy Dan has made the island recognizable through him and his family' love for art and music.

Some of the other great accomplishments of the artists that live on this island include their well established style of painting. You can find examples of this form of painting in the local community hall as well as in the exhibitions that are oftentimes held on the mainland. Besides the great artist community and its renowned painting, another thing for which Tory Island is well known is its maritime film festival, which is the only one in all of Ireland.

It is this festival's continuous desire to help document and educate people in the traditions, people, hardships and triumphs that are specific to those in Ireland, especially those who live on its islands. If you ever decide to visit this island, you will see that it is very beautiful. There are also numerous forms of algae growing here.

These are what the Corn Crakes feed upon. A corn crake is a mainly brown, heavily spotted bird that has a blue-grey head and neck with reddish streaked flanks. This bird has a short bill and when it is flying shows off its chestnut wings and long dangling legs. There are also many puffins and interesting migrant birds to view as well. You can reach this island quite easily from the mainland by ferries from Ireland's 4 ports: Downings, Dunbeg, Magheraroarty and Portnablagh.

Once you arrive at the pier on Tory you will first see the island's main symbol, which is a T-shaped cross. It is believed that St. Colmcille founded a monastery on Tory in the sixth century. However, all that remains of this monastery is a round tower and the ruins of 2 churches. Secondly, you will see the Tory Island Lighthouse which was completed in 1832 and automated in 1990.