Inishbiggle

Inis Bigil (formerly also officially known as Inishbiggle) is a small inhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland. Its name in Irish means "Island of the Fasting." The island is situated between the northeast of Achill Island and the mainland, and is accessed by boat from either Doran's point at Ballycroy or Bullsmouth on Achill. Access is also afforded by a fully illuminated helicopter pad, this is in place to afford emergency access. The island is 2½ km x 1½ km, or convert|650|acre|km2 in area.

The island's population currently stands at around 23 people, whose main activities are sheep and cattle farming and fishing. Facilities on the island included a school and a post office, both now closed. Plans to build a cable-car link across the dangerous Bullsmouth Channel separating the island from Achill had been under discussion since 1996, but have now been abandoned due to the high estimated cost. Unpredictable currents in the channel during winter months can render the island inaccessible, even though the passage during fair weather is about ten minutes.

The population is now down to a few dozen, almost all elderly.

External links

* [http://irishislands.info/achill2.html Map, information, picture]