Inishmore: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Large islandIsland off the west coast of GalwayIreland}}

| location = [[Atlantic Ocean]]

| area_km2area_acre = 317636

| highest_mount = An Droim Rua

| elevation_m = 123

| country = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]

| population = 762820

| density_km2 = 24.7

'''Inishmore''' ({{lang-langx|ga|'''Árainn'''}} {{IPA-ga|ˈaːɾˠən̠ʲ||GT Árainn.ogg}}, {{lang|ga|Árainn Mhór}} {{IPA-ga|ˈaːɾˠən̠ʲ woːɾ|}} or {{lang|ga|Inis Mór}} {{IPA-ga|ˈɪnʲɪʃ mˠoːɾ|}}) is the largest of the [[Aran Islands]] in [[Galway Bay]], off the west coast of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. With an area of {{convert|31|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a population of about820 840(as of 2016), it is the second-largest island off the Irish coast (after [[Achill]]) and most populous of the Aran Islands.

Before the 20th century, the island was usually called ''{{lang|ga|Árainn''}} or ''{{lang|ga|Árainn Mhór''}}, which is thought to mean "'kidney-shaped"' or "'ridge"'. It was anglicized as 'Aran', 'Aran More', or 'Great Aran'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Árainn/Inishmore |url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/938 |publisher=[[Placenames Database of Ireland]]}}</ref> This has caused some confusion with [[Arranmore]], [[County Donegal]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.|title=Fodor's See It Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NY5yD-9pz38C&pg=PA207|year=2011|publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications|isbn=978-1-4000-0553-6|page=207}}</ref> which has the same Irish name. The name '"Inishmore'" was "apparently concocted by the [[Ordnance Survey Ireland|Ordnance Survey]] for its map of 1839" as an anglicizationAnglicization of ''{{lang|ga|Inis Mór''}} ("'big island"'), as there is no evidence of its use before then.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smyth |first1=Gerry |title=Space and the Irish Cultural Imagination |date=2001 |publisher=Springer |page=53}}</ref>

Because the island is in the [[Gaeltacht]], ''{{lang|ga|Árainn''}} is the only legal placename in Irish or English as declared in the [[Official Languages Act 2003]].

The limestones date from the [[Visean]] periodstage (Lowerof the [[Carboniferous)]] period, formed as sediments in a shallow tropical sea approximately 330-350 million years ago, and compressed into horizontal strata with fossil [[coral]]s, [[crinoid]]s, and [[sea urchin]]s and [[ammonites]]. Glaciation following the [[Namurian]] phase facilitated greater denudation.

The effects of the [[last glacial period]] (the Midlandian) are evident, with the island overrun by ice. The result is that Inis Mór and the other islands are among the finestfiner examples of Glacio-[[Karst]] landscape in the world. The effects of the [[last glacial period]] (the Midlandian) are most in evidence, with the island overrun by ice during this glaciation. The impact of earlier [[Karstificationkarstification]] (solutional erosion) has been eliminated by the [[last glacial period]]. So any Karstification now seen dates from approximately 10,000 years ago and the island Karst is thus recent.

Solutional processes have widened and deepened the grikes of the limestone pavement. Pre-existing lines of weakness in the rock (vertical joints) contribute to the formation of extensive fissures separated by clints (flat pavement like slabs). The rock karstification facilitates the formation of subterraineansubterranean drainage.

The island supports [[arctic]], [[Mediterranean]] and [[Alps|alpine]] plants side by side, due to the unusual environment. Like the Burren, the Aran islands are known for their unusual assemblage of plants and animals.<ref>{{cite journal |title = Noteworthy Plants of the Burren: A Catalogue Raisonné|last = Webb |first = D. A. |journal = [[Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section B]] |publisher = [[Royal Irish Academy]] |issn = 0035-8983 |volume = 62 |year = 1961–1963 |pages = 117–34 |jstor = 20494847 }}</ref>

There is a small museum illustrating the history of [[Dún Aonghasa]] and its possible functions, while the Aran Sweater Market is also a focal point for visitors who can trace the culture and history associated with the Aran sweater through the on-site museum. Nearby are a [[Neolithic]] tomb and a small heritage park at Dún Eochla, featuring examples of a traditional [[Thatching|thatched cottage]] and [[Poitín|poteen]] distillery.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.emmedici.com/journeys/aran/eforti.htm| title=Prehistoric Forts| author=Mario De Carli| access-date=1 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907072800/http://www.emmedici.com/journeys/aran/eforti.htm| archive-date=7 September 2016| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The island plays host to [[Ted Fest]] each year. EstablishedFirst celebrated in 20042007, it is a celebration of the television [[sitcom]] ''[[Father Ted]]''. Festival -goers dress as their favourite characters, watch their favourite episodes and take part in various ''Ted'' related events and competitions.<ref>{{cite web | last=Brennan | first=Ciaran | title=“Well here we are now, all the lads”: TedFest returns to Inis Mór after COVID lay off | website=Hotpress | date=26 January 2022 | url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/well-here-we-are-now-all-the-lads-tedfest-returns-to-inis-mor-after-covid-lay-off-22888809 | access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Fr. Ted Festival 2025 on Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Galway | website=Galway Tourism | date=12 March 2024 | url=https://www.galwaytourism.ie/event/tedfest-fr-ted-festival/ | access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mullen | first=Paul | title=Everything you need to know about TedFest | website=The Aran Islands Co Galway Ireland | date=25 February 2014 | url=https://www.aranislands.ie/uncategorized/tedfest-entertainment-at-the-hotel | access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref>

Diving is possible.{{Ambiguous|date=September 2019}}with Aa particularly popular location for this isat Poll na bPéist ('hole of worms/sea monsters'), located at the southern coast of the island, which is a large naturally formed rectangular pool communicating via underground channels with the sea.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tempoweb.com/diveireland/arans.htm |title=ArchivedScuba copydiving ireland |access-date=8 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517045827/http://www.tempoweb.com/diveireland/arans.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> located on the southern coast of the island. Since 2012, Inis Mór has hosted an event as part of the [[Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series]].

The island features heavily in [[Martin McDonagh]]'s play ''[[The Lieutenant of Inishmore]]''. McDonagh also used Inishmore as a location for his film ''[[The Banshees of Inisherin]]''.

The music video for [[Dermot Kennedy]]'s "For Island Fires and Family" (video released 10 January 2019) was filmed entirely on Inis Mór.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joe.ie/music/dermot-kennedy-for-island-fires-and-family-video-654401|title=WATCH: Dermot Kennedy's stunning new video set on the Aran Islands|website=JOE.ie|language=en|access-date=2019-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journalnews|date=13 January 2019|title=Dermot Kennedy releases new video filmed on Inis Mór|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2019/0113/1022918-dermot-kennedy-releases-new-video-filmed-on-inis-mor/|publisher=[[RTÉ]] |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Saint Fanchea]], [[abbess]] of [[Killeaney]], fl. 500.

* [[Enda of Aran]], early Christian [[missionary]], died c. 530.

* [[Mahon mac Turlough Mantach Ó Briain]], Chief of Inis Mór, died 1565.

* [[Murrough mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain]], Chief of Inis Mór, fl. 1575–1588.

* [[Murrough na dTuadh Ó Flaithbheartaigh]], Chief[[Tigerna|Lord]] of [[Iar Connacht]], fl. 1569–1593.

* [[LiamPat O'FlahertyMullen]], novelistactor and short story writer, 28assistant Augustdirector 1896''[[Man –of 7 SeptemberAran]]'', 1984.1893-1972

* [[Bridget Dirrane]], [[centenarian]], died[[nurse]], 2004.[[memoirist]], 1894-2003<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/jan/02/guardianobituaries|title=Bridget Dirrane|first=P. J.|last=Gillan|date=1 January 2004|via=The Guardian}}</ref>

* [[Máirtín Ó Direáin]], Irish language poet and highly important figure in [[Modern literature in Irish]], 1910–1988.

* [[Breandán Ó hEithir]], writer and [[Television presenter|broadcaster]], 1930–1990.

* [[Tim Robinson (cartographer)|Tim Robinson]], author, born 1935.1935–2020

* [[Maura Derrane]], [[RTÉ]] television presenter, born 1970.

* 654 -– "St [[Nem Moccu Birn]], successor of Enne, of Ara, died on the 14th of June."

* 1167 -– [[Gillagori Ua Dubhacan]] "successor of Einde of Ara, died."

The table below reports data on Inis Mór's population taken from ''Discover the Islands of Ireland'' (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the [[census]] of Ireland.

|2011 |845