Inishmeane

Inishmeane (Irish: Inis Meáin, meaning "middle island[3]") is a small island and a townland off the coast of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland and was once home to a vibrant fishing community. The island has been unpopulated for decades but in recent years some people have started to return.

Not to be confused with Inishmaan.
Inishmeane
Native name:
Inis Meáin[1]
Inishmeane from Magheragallon Cemetery
Inishmeane
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates55°06′15″N 8°20′46″W
Area0.473 km2 (0.183 sq mi)[2]
Administration
ProvinceUlster
CountyDonegal
Demographics
Population7 (2011)

Geography

Inishmeane is around 1 kilometre off the coast of Gweedore. It lies between Gola Island (South-East) and Inishsirrer (North).

History

The island was inhabited up until the 1960s; today most of the buildings are derelict, but about eight have been renovated for use as holiday homes or permanent habitation.[3]

On Inishmeane there is no electricity nor freshwater public supply.[4]

A concrete pier was installed during the celtic tiger years to allow residents to moor their boats.

Demographics

The table below reports data on Inishmeane's population taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the Census of Ireland.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
184112—    
185157+375.0%
186146−19.3%
187134−26.1%
188142+23.5%
189168+61.9%
190168+0.0%
191182+20.6%
YearPop.±%
192663−23.2%
193666+4.8%
194662−6.1%
195158−6.5%
195654−6.9%
196147−13.0%
19662−95.7%
19710−100.0%
YearPop.±%
197900.00%
198100.00%
198600.00%
199100.00%
199600.00%
200200.00%
200600.00%
2011 7—    
Source: Central Statistics Office. "CNA17: Population by Off Shore Island, Sex and Year". CSO.ie. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  • House on Inishmeane

See also

References
  1. "Inis Meáin". Placenames Database of Ireland. Dublin City University. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  2. General Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes, and Baronies of Ireland: Based on the Census of Ireland for the Year 1851. Genealogical Publishing Com. 1861. p. 539. ISBN 9780806310527. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  3. Wallace Clark (2003). Donegal Islands. Dundurn. p. 39. ISBN 9781900935319. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  4. David Walsh (2004). Oileáin: a guide to the Irish islands. Pesda press. p. 195. ISBN 9780953195695. Retrieved February 22, 2016.

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