Ram's Island, Northern Ireland

Ram’s Island is located approximately one mile offshore from Lennymore Bay and Sandy Bay on the eastern shore of Lough Neagh, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.[1]

For the small island located in Long Island Sound, see Ram Island (Connecticut).

Round Tower ruins located on Ram's Island.

Features

It is nearly one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide and is the largest island on Lough Neagh. Notable features of the island are a round tower and the ruins of the O'Neills' 19th century summer house. The island was last permanently inhabited in the 1920s by the Cardwell family who were caretakers for the O'Neills.[1] It also has a unique collection of mature trees and the remains of an ancient monastic settlement including the round tower.[2]

History

The island played a part during World War II, as a flying boat base (RAF Sandy Bay), utilising the shelter offered by the island from the westerly wind.

Transport

In 2006, a redevelopment programme funded from the Lough Neagh Partnership (LNP), which is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), to finance the provision of a ferry to carry visitors to Ram's Island. The new ferry, The Island Warrior, has opened up the island and resulted in around 2,500 visits.[2] In 2007, a new jetty was built.[3] In 2009, over 7,500 people visited Rams Island.[4]

References
  1. "Boat Trips to Ram's Island". Discover Northern Ireland. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  2. "Lough Neagh island opened to tourists". 4NI News (8 August 2006). Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  3. "Rams Island". Rams Island Heritage Project. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  4. Rams Island Heritage Project
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