Inishbofin, County Donegal

Inishbofin (Irish: Inis Bó Finne, meaning 'island of the white cow'[2]), also Inishbofinne, is an island and townland off the coast of Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh (Magheraroarty), County Donegal, Ireland.

Inishbofin
Native name:
Inis Bó Finne
Inishbofin as seen from Machaire Rabhartaigh, with Tory Island visible in the distance
Inishbofin is located in island of Ireland
Inishbofin
Inishbofin
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates55°10′23″N 8°10′08″W / 55.17306°N 8.16889°W / 55.17306; -8.16889
Area1.2 km2 (0.46 sq mi)
Administration
ProvinceUlster
CountyDonegal
Demographics
Population16 (2022)[1]

Geography

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The island is a 120-hectare (300 acre) land mass, with an economy traditionally based on fishing and farming. Irish is spoken routinely. There are no pubs or shops on the island. There is a boat service to and from it but no regular ferry.[citation needed]

It is the largest of a small group of islands; the others, Inis Dúiche and Inis Beag, lie to the north and are uninhabited.[citation needed]

Demographics

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In 100 years Inishbofin's population dropped from 166 (1911) to 16 (2022).

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1841121—    
1851122+0.8%
1861150+23.0%
1871125−16.7%
1881139+11.2%
1891146+5.0%
1901150+2.7%
1911166+10.7%
1926136−18.1%
YearPop.±%
1936138+1.5%
1946139+0.7%
1951120−13.7%
1956102−15.0%
1961117+14.7%
196698−16.2%
1971103+5.1%
197969−33.0%
198146−33.3%
YearPop.±%
19866−87.0%
19913−50.0%
199624+700.0%
200216−33.3%
200636+125.0%
201111−69.4%
20162−81.8%
202216+700.0%
Sources: [3][4]

The table reports data taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the Census of Ireland. Census data in Ireland before 1841 were not complete and/or reliable.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Population of Inhabited Islands Off the Coast (Report). Central Statistics Office. 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Inis Bó Finne/Inishbofin". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Our Living Islands – National Islands Policy 2023–2033" (PDF). Department of Rural and Community Development. June 2023. p. 82. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  4. ^ Central Statistics Office. "CNA17: Population by Off Shore Island, Sex and Year". CSO.ie. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
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