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The harbour entrance of the island is dominated by to enemy ships. Across the harbour entrance from
the Cromwellian fort which was a prison camp for Port Island sits ‘Dún Gráinne’, the fort where Gráinne
Catholic priests. A Lighthouse continues it’s service to O’Malley supposedly lived.
local sailors and fishermen on Gun rock. Throughout
history, Inishbofin has been the stage of many interesting Prior to 1873, Inishbofin was legally part of Co. Mayo-
characters from priest to pirate! The remains of castle the Famine necessitated change however as relief would
built by the “pirate queen” Gráinne O’Malley can also be come more readily from Clifden during those black
seen here. years of the late 19th century.
Around 665, Saint Colmán founded a monastery on www.inisbofin.com
Inishbofin. The site of the monastery is believed to be in
the roofless thirteenth century chapel in the graveyard. Letterfrack- Leitir Fraic
According to some accounts, Guairim of Inisbofin was “The Speckled Hill”
ruler on the island when Colmán arrived. The Annals of
the Four Masters list the monastery’s Abbots until the Founded in the mid-19th century by Quakers,
early 10th century. Letterfrack . The village is sited on Barnaderg
The O’Flaherty clan owned the island until 1380 when Bay (Bearna Dhearg “red gap”) and lies at the head of
the O’Malleys captured it. In the 16th century, according Ballinakill harbour (Baile na Cille “settlement of the
to local tradition, a Spanish pirate or Barbary corsair church”). Here you will find wonderful local beaches
named Alonzo Bosco built a stronghold on Port Island suitable for bathing . If you are keen to explore the
in the area where a Cromwellian fort stands today. countryside Diamond Hill (445m) offers excellent views!
According to local tales, the pirate raided the Irish coast
and shipping in the area. “Don” Bosco was supposed to In Letterfrack you can explore the visitors centre for the
have been an ally of Gráinne O’Malley, chieftain of the world renowned wildlife haven known as Connemara
O’Malley clan and ‘Ireland’s pirate queen’. One story tells National Park. At 1,540 hectares, this park is of
how they would stretch a defensive iron chain across outstanding scenic and ecological value. The visitor
Inishbofin’s harbour entrance making it impassable centre contains an exhibition of the various features
of the park, a lounge/rest area, toilet facilities and an
CONNEMARA
LETTERFRACK BAY The ideal way to
SEA SAFARI & discover Connemara
WATERBUS TOURS ALL TYPES OF BIKES FOR HIRE
Mountain and Hybrids
ELECTRIC BIKES FOR HIRE
DAILY & WEEKLY RATES
Along the Wild Atlantic Way (on Route 59) Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
One hour Scenic & Wildlife Nature Tour on Ireland’s Sundays 10am-1pm
only Glass Bottom Tour Boat. Departs Letterfrack Pier
beside Acoca Shop and Connemara National Park at Bridge Street Clifden
11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm & 5pm. Tel: 095 21160 \ 21155
Mobile: 087 418 2051
Tel: 095 43473 www.clifdenbikes.com
Mobile: 087 6461189 / 086 1991988
Email: letterfrackwatertours@gmail.com
www.letterfrackwatertours.com
155
the Cromwellian fort which was a prison camp for Port Island sits ‘Dún Gráinne’, the fort where Gráinne
Catholic priests. A Lighthouse continues it’s service to O’Malley supposedly lived.
local sailors and fishermen on Gun rock. Throughout
history, Inishbofin has been the stage of many interesting Prior to 1873, Inishbofin was legally part of Co. Mayo-
characters from priest to pirate! The remains of castle the Famine necessitated change however as relief would
built by the “pirate queen” Gráinne O’Malley can also be come more readily from Clifden during those black
seen here. years of the late 19th century.
Around 665, Saint Colmán founded a monastery on www.inisbofin.com
Inishbofin. The site of the monastery is believed to be in
the roofless thirteenth century chapel in the graveyard. Letterfrack- Leitir Fraic
According to some accounts, Guairim of Inisbofin was “The Speckled Hill”
ruler on the island when Colmán arrived. The Annals of
the Four Masters list the monastery’s Abbots until the Founded in the mid-19th century by Quakers,
early 10th century. Letterfrack . The village is sited on Barnaderg
The O’Flaherty clan owned the island until 1380 when Bay (Bearna Dhearg “red gap”) and lies at the head of
the O’Malleys captured it. In the 16th century, according Ballinakill harbour (Baile na Cille “settlement of the
to local tradition, a Spanish pirate or Barbary corsair church”). Here you will find wonderful local beaches
named Alonzo Bosco built a stronghold on Port Island suitable for bathing . If you are keen to explore the
in the area where a Cromwellian fort stands today. countryside Diamond Hill (445m) offers excellent views!
According to local tales, the pirate raided the Irish coast
and shipping in the area. “Don” Bosco was supposed to In Letterfrack you can explore the visitors centre for the
have been an ally of Gráinne O’Malley, chieftain of the world renowned wildlife haven known as Connemara
O’Malley clan and ‘Ireland’s pirate queen’. One story tells National Park. At 1,540 hectares, this park is of
how they would stretch a defensive iron chain across outstanding scenic and ecological value. The visitor
Inishbofin’s harbour entrance making it impassable centre contains an exhibition of the various features
of the park, a lounge/rest area, toilet facilities and an
CONNEMARA
LETTERFRACK BAY The ideal way to
SEA SAFARI & discover Connemara
WATERBUS TOURS ALL TYPES OF BIKES FOR HIRE
Mountain and Hybrids
ELECTRIC BIKES FOR HIRE
DAILY & WEEKLY RATES
Along the Wild Atlantic Way (on Route 59) Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
One hour Scenic & Wildlife Nature Tour on Ireland’s Sundays 10am-1pm
only Glass Bottom Tour Boat. Departs Letterfrack Pier
beside Acoca Shop and Connemara National Park at Bridge Street Clifden
11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm & 5pm. Tel: 095 21160 \ 21155
Mobile: 087 418 2051
Tel: 095 43473 www.clifdenbikes.com
Mobile: 087 6461189 / 086 1991988
Email: letterfrackwatertours@gmail.com
www.letterfrackwatertours.com
155
