Clare Places: Islands: Mutton Island or Enniskerry (9th century catastrophe in Ireland)

Clare County Library ^ | prior to November 19, 2005 | staff writer

[SunkenCiv]

According to the "Annals of the Four Masters" the island was once called Fitha Island and it formed part of the mainland until the day "the sea swelled so high that it burst its boundaries, overflowing a large tract of country, and drowning over 1,000 persons." This happened on March 16th, 804. Some reports describe it as an earthquake, others as a tidal wave when "the sea divided the island of Fitha into three parts." These three islands are Mutton Island, Inismattle (or Illanwattle) and Roanshee (or Carrig na Ron). There is a fourth island in the area called Carraig Aolacan.

Lewis gives this account of Mutton Island; "On its shores are some curious natural caves, formerly used by smugglers for storing contraband goods. Here are an old signal tower and the ruins of an ancient structure, said to have been founded by St. Senan of Inniscattery." This small oratory, dedicated to St. Senan has since fallen into the sea.

[SunkenCiv]

(it's for sale):

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Mutton Island Off Atlantic Coast of County Clare, Ireland: The island itself comprises of 185 acres of grassland with a freshwater lake and several springwater wells. It slopes gently from sea level on the east to a height of 110 feet over two kilometers to the west where the watchtower is situated. The east of the island contains the ruins of two cottages, a disused graveyard and the site of a cross and oratory as well as several walled fields.

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[SunkenCiv]

Thanks, Applegateranch, for finding that and sending the link!

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[brooklyn dave]

Nice picture. Inis na caoire ---island of the sheep anglicized into enniskerry or mutton island. I can't figure out inishmattle in english.

[wildbill]

Innishmattle=Innismatel=island of the tinker toys. If it's innishmattle, it's swell.

[U S Army EOD]

How much????

[ApplegateRanch]

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

I looked at the ad for it, and you have to query them for the price; they wouldn't list it in the listing.

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/muttoneuir.htm

[ApplegateRanch]

You're welcome. I was especially intrigued by the "smugglers' caves"...not that honest ~I~ would ever consider such things.

[Domestic Church]

Thanks...Clare roots here!

[U S Army EOD]

I was thinking about buying it, declaring war on the United States, surrendering, and getting foreign aid. I originally considered declaring war on France since it was closer but I couldn't afford to keep the island up plus send the foreign aid to France.

[ApplegateRanch]

Glad you re-thought your plan. France would surrender faster than you could.

Vive le Ribbit!

[U S Army EOD]

But let me say this in France's defense. These people might be smarter than we give them credit for. I think it was a French plan to let the terrorist burn all of their automobiles. Now they can't convert them into car bombs. The French were able to surrender on this one with out anybody taking note.

[ApplegateRanch]

let the terrorist burn all of their automobiles. Now they can't convert them into car bombs.

LOL! Victory through defeat!

[Incorrigible]

Might be a good place to get away from it all and brush up on your Irish.

[SunkenCiv]

[rimshot!]

[SunkenCiv]

[rimshot!]

[SunkenCiv]

Except for the new gardening staff... [walks away, whistling]

[ApplegateRanch]

It's the farm-labor contractor's fault! I TOLD him to check their SS numbers before hiring them in Tiajuana...

[SunkenCiv]

Better Clare roots than Clairol. ;') The for sale ad popped up some months ago, and AppleGateRanch found the main topic article here. S'cool.

[SunkenCiv]

I like your facility for delegating. ;')

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the translation!