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Inis Fraoigh - Island of Inishfree

Inis Fraoigh - translates to Heather Island,  Inishfree is found just over one 1 nautical mile or 2 kilometres, South of  Burtonport Harbour.  The island is 1.6km squared with sandy beaches and grassy tracks.

It is reported that in Pegan times, Niall of the 9 hostages, a local chieftain who would later became The High King of Ireland, controlled this territory, later, the land was owned by his descendants Red Hugh O Donnell, a relation of St. Colmcille.  Their lands were later seized and redistributed after the British invasion. 

The national school, found on the East side of the Island, had 50 students when it was opened in 1910.  Two famous authors, Seamus O Grainne and Peadar O Donnell both taught at this school. In July 1966 this one teacher school only had 5 students and due to the dwindling numbers, it was closed for good. The Island had one telephone and  both Irish and English were spoken on Inishfree. 

In the late 1970's, a cult called Atlantis, known as the 'Screamers' due to their use of screaming as a form of therapy, moved to the island to live off the grid, before leaving for Colombia in 1989.

Today, a few of the houses are renovated and some have been preserved in their original form to a high standard.

Visitors can access the Island by booking Donegal Sea Adventures Rib or The Arranmore Ferry. 

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