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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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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Co. Dhun Na nGall, Éire
 

Co. Donegal, Ireland 

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