Welcome to Inisheer

Inisheer, or Inis Oírr in Irish, is the smallest of the three Aran Islands located in County Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. Its name means "East Island," and it's home to just about 300 people!

Long, long ago, around the same time castles were being built, people on Inisheer were busy building something else. They built a very large stone fort called Dún Formna. Even today, you can see its circular walls standing tall!

Something really interesting happened in 1588 - a big wooden Spanish ship, called a galleon, was wrecked close to Inisheer. It was part of the famous Spanish Armada fleet. The local islanders saved some of the sailors. The ship's remains, known as 'The Plassey Shipwreck', can still be seen on the island today.

Inisheer is also known for its beautiful hand-knit sweaters and its limestone rock that's everywhere. The islanders used these rocks to build walls around their homes and farms.

So, even though Inisheer is small, it has a big history with exciting stories! Imagine living on an island with a shipwreck and a stone fort. Isn't that cool?

  1. What is the Irish name for Inisheer?
  2. What did the people on Inisheer build at the same time as castles were being built?
  3. What happened in 1588 close to Inisheer?
  4. What are two things Inisheer is known for?
  5. If you lived on Inisheer, what kind of landscape and historical features would you see?

All About Inisheer

Inisheer, or Inis Oírr, is the smallest of the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, Ireland. This little island is a world full of adventures for you! The island is like a big playground made of limestone, with lots of winding roads and paths to explore. One of the most exciting places on this island is the shipwreck site. A big ship named Plassy was washed ashore in 1960 and it's like a giant's toy left behind.

You won't find any mountains or rivers here, but there's a lovely beach with soft sand and crystal clear water. You might even spot a seal or two popping their heads up to say hello!

The island is full of unique plants and animals. It's a great place to see birds like the Chough, a bird with red legs and a red beak. You could also find the Pyramidal Orchid, a pretty flower that loves the island's limestone soil.

Inisheer may be small, but it's packed with exciting things to see and do. From the stone walls and houses to the local horse and trap rides, it's an amazing place to learn about nature and history.

  1. What is the name of the ship that was washed ashore on Inisheer in 1960?
  2. Describe the unique geography of the island, including its soil and lack of certain geographical features.
  3. Using a map, can you locate Inisheer among the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, Ireland?
  4. What kinds of plants and animals can be found on Inisheer that are unique to its environment?
  5. Plan a trip to Inisheer. What geographical features or places of interest would you like to visit or explore?

My Family and Inisheer

Hi! I'm Taylor, and I just turned 8! I live in a pretty cool place called Inisheer, in Co. Galway. It's the smallest of the Aran Islands, but it's big on fun! My house is near a really old castle called O'Brien's Castle. It's all ruins now, but I like to imagine what it was like when knights lived there!

There's also a shipwreck on our island - it's called the Plassey. It got stuck here during a storm a long, long time ago. Now, it’s one of my favourite places to play hide and seek!

What I love the most about living here is the beach. I spend hours building sandcastles, collecting seashells, and splashing in the waves. Sometimes, I even see dolphins!

There are only about 260 people living here, so I know everyone. It's like one big family. We even have our own school. It's small, but my teacher says that's what makes it special.

I hope you enjoyed learning about my life in Inisheer. I think it's the best place to grow up!

  1. Can you remember the name of the castle near Taylor's house?
  2. What happened to the ship called the Plassey?
  3. What does Taylor enjoy doing at the beach?
  4. How many people approximately live on Inisheer according to Taylor?
  5. What does Taylor's teacher say about their small school?

The Logainm of Inisheer

Inisheer is a beautiful little island off the coast of County Galway, Ireland. In English, the name 'Inisheer' means 'East Island'. It's called this because it's the most easterly of the three Aran Islands. The name itself has been used for many years, passed down from generation to generation.

Long ago, Irish people used to speak only in their native language, which is called Irish or Gaelic. That's why many places in Ireland, including Inisheer, have names that come from this language. Even today, you'll find many people on Inisheer who still speak Irish!

The island of Inisheer has a rich history and culture, filled with stories of ancient warriors, saints, and scholars. Today, though it's a small island, it's a bustling place full of people who care about their history and culture. It's also a place where visitors come to learn about Ireland's past and experience its beautiful landscapes.

  1. What does the name 'Inisheer' mean in English?
  2. Why do you think Inisheer was given this name?
  3. What was the language spoken by the people of Ireland long ago?
  4. Are there still people on Inisheer who speak the Irish language today?
  5. Why do you think it's important for the people of Inisheer to remember and celebrate their history and culture?

Slideshow - Inisheer
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Inisheer