Owey Island

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Owey Island lies midway between Gola and Arranmore and is just off-shore from Cruit Island. The recently whitewashed cottages on Owey are clearly visible from the Clubhouse at the end of Cruit. It is roughly the same size as Gola, being a little over 300 acres in area. Like Gola it was once home to almost a hundred islanders but this population had reduced to about thirty by the time the last islanders left in 1974. After having lain deserted for 25 years Owey is now enjoying a whole new lease of life. Nine or ten of the cottages have been renovated and a new cottage is in the process of being built. To facilitate this, the first tractor ever was brought over to Owey by raft in the summer of 2005. What excitement !! Indeed the harbour or “spink” as it is known locally is often crowded with the boats of both day-trippers and those who now spend considerable time on Owey in the summer. Unlike Gola there is no mains water or electricity on Owey. The islanders have to depend on gas light and spring wells. In a dry summer such as 2005 many of the wells ran dry. Despite the many hardships there is something special and exciting about spending time on an off-shore island. Day trippers to Owey ought to be careful as the narrow strait can be quite dangerous and the entrance to the “spink” is quite tricky.
Dan Betty Gallagher now operates a sea taxi service to Owey during the summer months. Well worth a visit ! Tel. 086-6013893.

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