The Kingdoms
Inishmurray Inis Muirígh
An island in Donegal Bay, about 7 kilometres off the coast of County Sligo[1].
The monastic island
The island’s Irish name, Inis Muirígh, means “Muireadheach’s island”[1]. Its monastery was founded in the 6th century by St Molaise, or Laisrén[2].
Heritage Ireland describes a well-preserved, if partly restored, ecclesiastical enclosure in the form of a cashel with drystone walls 3 metres high; within are three churches (St Molaise’s Chapel, Templemolaise and Templenatinny), beehive huts, leachts, cursing stones and a graveyard[2]. Wikipedia gives the enclosure wall’s height as 4.5 metres at its highest point[1]. Leachts outside the enclosure serve as stations for pilgrims, especially on the Feast of the Assumption[2].
Care and access
The island is mostly private land. Its national monuments are state-owned and in the care of the Office of Public Works[2]. No visitor boat access is permitted[2]; in 2018 the Marine Survey Office barred commercial operators from landing visitors, citing safety[1].
The islanders
In the 1940s the island’s remaining inhabitants petitioned the Irish government for new land, and the last residents left Inishmurray on 12 November 1948[1].
The King of Inishmurray
The King of Inishmurray was a customary title used by inhabitants of the island, much like the King of Tory. It was last claimed by Michael Waters, who died in January 1951[1].
“There is a King of Tory and a King of Innismurray.”
The Literary Digest, 1917[3]
The customary kingship of Inishmurray belonged to the island’s own people. Teach Ríoga does not speak for them or their descendants, and its styles are its own.
References
- Inishmurray, Wikipedia.
- Inishmurray Monastic Island, Heritage Ireland (Office of Public Works).
- Kings of Tory, Wikipedia.