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.

Inishmeane
Native name:
Inis Meáin[1]
Inishmeane from Magheragallon Cemetery
Inishmeane is located in island of Ireland
Inishmeane
Inishmeane
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates55°06′15″N 8°20′46″W / 55.10417°N 8.34611°W / 55.10417; -8.34611
Area0.473 km2 (0.183 sq mi)[2]
Administration
ProvinceUlster
CountyDonegal
Demographics
Population7 (2011)

Geography

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

History

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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.[citation needed]

Demographics

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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 12 October 2016.
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Inis Meáin". Placenames Database of Ireland. Dublin City University. Retrieved 22 February 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 22 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b Wallace Clark (2003). Donegal Islands. Dundurn. p. 39. ISBN 9781900935319. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  4. ^ David Walsh (2004). Oileáin: a guide to the Irish islands. Pesda press. p. 195. ISBN 9780953195695. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
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