Feenish Explained

Feenish
Map:Island of Ireland
Native Name:Irish: Fínis
Native Name Link:Irish language
Location:River Fergus
Coordinates:52.704°N -8.974°W
Country:Ireland
Country Admin Divisions Title:Province
Country Admin Divisions:Munster
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:County
Country Admin Divisions 1:County Clare
Population:0

Feenish,[1] formerly Finish Island,[2] is an island and townland in the estuary of the River Fergus in County Clare, Ireland.

Geography

Feenish lies near the eastern shore of the River Fergus estuary. The island's area is 179 acres. Feenish was formerly attached to the neighbouring island of Inishmacnaghtan.[3] Other nearby islands include Deer Island and Coney Island.

History and archaeology

Feenish was formerly the site of a convent built by Saint Senan in the sixth century and run by a local Saint Brigid (not Brigid of Kildare). There are ruins of a castle on the island's northeastern side.[3]

Population

In the 19th century there were seven families living on the island. The island has been uninhabited since at least 1901.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fínis/Feenish . Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) . 31 August 2023.
  2. Web site: Finish Island . Clare County Library . 31 August 2023.
  3. News: Dan . McCarthy . Islands of Ireland: The ghosts and gold of Feenish . 9 February 2021 . . 31 August 2023.