Gola Island

Gola Irish: Oileán Ghabhla
County Donegal
Gola Island from Gweedore
Location
Location:	55°5’30"N, 8°22’0"E
Grid reference:	B767272
Data
Population:	15  (2011)

Gola is a small island off the coast of Gweedore, County Donegal.

The island was unpopulated as recently as 1996 but in recent years people have started to return. A ferry service operates during the holiday season and on request for the remainder of the year.

Description

Gola Island is half a mile off the coast of Gweedore. Its many beaches and secluded bays attract visitors throughout the year. The island was populated up until the mid-1960s, but today most of the buildings on the island are derelict, but some have been renovated as holiday homes and the island is now inhabited for most of the year.

The island terrain is mildly hilly with many bog road and sheep paths. At present, during the winter the only inhabitants on Gola are animals. Sheep and some shy goats tend to reside along the cliffs. To the back of the island, seabirds are numerous, with cormorants, shags, razorbills, guillemots as well as the odd passing gannet and skua. At the southern end of the near Port na Crin and the old school house, many shore species of bird can be admired such as the eider, oystercatcher, divers and various species of tern.

The island has also been immortalised in the traditional children's song Báidín Fheilimí ("Feilimí's Little Boat").

Before 2005, there was no mains electricity available on the island, all dwellings relying on generators, oil lamps and renewable power sources such as solar and wind.

Pictures

• 

  A view of Gola Island from Go Island.

• 

  The Twin Cave area of the Gola sea-cliffs

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Gola Island)

• Historical Map of Gola Island
• Ireland: Rediscovering Gola
• Rock Climbing guide to Gola

References

• Alan Tees (editor): 'Rock Climbs in Donegal' (Mountaineering Council of Ireland, 2002) ISBN 0-902940-17-1