Visit Tory Island.

Tory Island (Oileán Thoraigh) is a small island off the coast of County Donegal. It is Ireland’s most remote island, located 12 kilometers from the mainland. Measuring 4km long and 2km wide, Tory Island is inhabited by fewer than 200 people, who make their living from fishing and tourism… This is evidenced by the incredible number of tourist facilities! Cafés, restaurants, B&Bs… The island is perfect for a comfortable stay!

Visit Tory Island

An island with its own people and culture

Tory Island is located nine miles off the Donegal coast. You’ll need to take the ferry from Machaire Rabhartaigh harbour. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the island. Please note, however, that weather conditions can sometimes make access to the island impossible.

However, weather permitting, once you’ve arrived on the island, you can explore the village, with its school, houses and shops. Here, everyone knows everyone else, speaks Irish Gaelic, and the island’s dean is in charge of Tory Island’s affairs (he’s also in the habit of welcoming all tourists landing on the island! Quite a friendly welcome!)

The village is renowned for its painting school, and some of its painters now make a living from their art on Tory Island. This tradition is said to have been initiated by James Dixon in the late 1950s, who took up painting using the hair of his donkey as a brush and shoe polish for the paint. A little archaic, but quite effective!

If you’re a keen walker, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Tory Cliffs, which slope steeply down to the sea for a breathtaking view!

• a round tower that once protected monks from Viking raids,
• and the intriguing Tau cross, which suggests ancient maritime links with the Coptic Christians of Egypt.