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Inishbofin (Inis Bó Finne in Irish, meaning Island of the White Cow) is an island lying about 8 kilometers (5 miles) off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It is about 5.5 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide, and has around 200 inhabitants. The island is popular with artists. Inishbofin can be reached by ferry from the pier in Cleggan. There is also a helipad, and an airstrip is planned. There are three hotels on the island, Days, Murrays and the Dolphin. There is also an excellent hostel.

The island's English name Inishbofin is derived from the Irish name Inis Bó Finne (Island of the White Cow). The name has its origins in a local legend. The island has been occupied continuously since the Bronze Age. In 668, Saint Colmán founded a monastery^[1] on Inishbofin which survived until the 10th century^[2]. It is also home to the ruins of Cromwell's barracks, constructed in 1652. When the much hated Cromwell was in power, Inishbofin was transformed into a penal colony for Catholic clergy. An unfortunate bishop was tied to "Bishop's Rock" at low tide and drowned as the water's rose.

Inishbofin is also home to Dún Gráinne, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen, as well as the ruins of a Celtic fort dating to 1000 B.C. Islanders refer to the fort, which is a good example of a 17th century 'star' fort as 'Cromwell's Fort'. It was built in the 1650's during the Cromwellian wars to command the harbour entrance. Inishbofin was one of the most important shipping havens on the West coast of Ireland in the days of sail. It was one of the last Royalist strongholds to fall to Cromwell's army and was garrisoned by them until the end of the century. The Cromwellians used it as a staging post for Irish men and women who were being transported to the West Indies. ^[3]

• Inishbofin Heritage

1. ^ St. Colman. Retrieved on September 17, 2006.
2. ^ Inishbofin. Retrieved on September 17, 2006.
3. ^ . New York Times. Hoffstoff, Darlyn Brewer, Where Legends Outnumber People, August 1, 1999. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E5D7113EF932A3575BC0A96F958260&sec=travel&spon=&pagewanted=2 |accessdate=2007-02-06

Coordinates: 53°37′N, 10°12′W