Tory Island
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Tory Island (Oileán Toraigh in Irish; translation: tors are hills), is an island 12 km off the north-west coast of County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland. It is approximately 5 km (3 miles) long and 1 km (0.75 miles) wide.
It has a population of 170, divided among four towns — East Town, West Town, Middletown and Newtown. It is part of the Donegal Gaeltacht and Irish is widely spoken on the island.
Since the 1950s, the island has been home to a small community of artists, and has its own art gallery. One of the artists is Patsy Dan Rodgers, who holds the position of King of Tory. This King has no formal power, but is chosen by consensus by the islanders to represent the community.
In the apocryphal history of Ireland, Lebor Gabála Érenn, Tory Island was the site of Conand's Tower, the stronghold of the Fomorians, before they were defeated by the Nemedians in a great battle on the island. The later Fomorian king Balor of the evil eye also lived here.
Balor would imprison Ethlinn in a tower built atop Tor Mor.
The British frigate HMS Wasp, sent to collect taxes, is shipwrecked near the lighthouse. 52 out of 58 souls were lost, 22 September 1884.
Geographical stats
- Tory Island Lighthouse:
- Latitude: 55° 16' 36" N (55.276667°)
- Longitude: 8° 14' 97" W (-8.260278°)
- Highest point: Tor Mor
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External links
- A place of bewitching beauty (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4545175.stm) — BBC news article
- Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.215576,-8.181577&spn=0.221436,0.495480&hl=en) — map showing the island's location
