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helenjones Says: Because we couldn't get accommodation at the last minute we only spent a day on Tory - much to my regret. After being met from the ferry by the King of Tory (I kid you not), we hired bikes and cycled around the island taking in as much as we could in that short time. I won't...
sourbugger Says: The Torpedo was washed ashore during World War II, defused and years later, it was erected midway between East town and West Town. It stands near the site of what was perhaps the bloodiest battle in the history of the Island. Sir Henry Foillot massacred the forces of Seán...
Seal Watching around the lighthouse
sourbugger Says: There are many seals around the crinkled coasts of Tory Island - but you can usually be guaranteed to spot a few off the cliffs around the lighthouse.Without a high-powered close-up lens it's difficult to show the full 'effect' of the activity, so I just include a picture of...
sourbugger Says: The success of 'Big Brother' has been replicated in many parts of the world. The Irish wanted their own version and came up with 'Cabin Fever'. Each week one member of the crew would walk the plank until only one was left.It all went well until Friday 13th (yes I know - but...
Only one of two 'T' shaped crosses in Ireland
sourbugger Says: The Tau Cross is very much a symbol of the island and is also a reminder of the monastic period. Situated by the pier it is carved from a single slab of mica slate.Fishermen still pray here before going fishing.In Local legend, it is said that a Cromwellian solider on the...
Tory Hotel: The only hotel on the Island
sourbugger Says: I personally didn't stay at the hotel in the sense of sleeping - but the rooms, I'm told are quite reasonably furnished. It's quite pricey for what you get (60 euro each B & B in a twin), but you are the centre of Island life.When we visited the place was absolutely swarming...
Various: Ring ahead - or you may have to rough it
sourbugger Says: The Accommodation situation on Tory Island can be quite tight, especially on summer weekends when a band is playing at the hotel.It is therefore best to ring ahaead if possible to be sure that you have a place.There are several very plesant little places to choose from : the...
The Peoples Bar: The only bar on Tory
helenjones Says: This is an add-on to Sourbuggar's Tory page on nightlife - I've just found this picture when rummaging through old photo's and thought that all (one or two!) of you reading these pages might like to see where Sourbuggar stayed up dancing til late into the morning! This is...
The Hotel and....: Up all night.....read on
sourbugger Says: Nightlife on Tory Island revolves fairly and squarely around the pub in the one hotel. Anything that is going on will at least start there. When we last stayed the dancing began around 11PM and carried on until daybreak. At that point we returned to the cottage and...
Helpfulness
The ferry from Magheroarty doesn't take cars, which is no bad thing. Even in the height of summer its hours of operation are completely unfathomable.
For example in July 2003, when I was there they put on an extra run so a VIP coud get to a funeral on the island!
It's best to ask and presume on one sometime in the morning and one sometime in the late afternoon. In the depths of winter be warned - if the seas are rough you could be marooned there for days, even weeks.
The cost is currently 22 euro. Or 12 if you have connections to the island, or 6 if you are an islander ! Odd how this dosn't seem to get published.
Even odder still they are allowed to 'cart' 72 passengers over in the summer but only 58 at a time in the winter.
Updated Oct 25, 2003
Amazon or similar: The Tory Islanders : people of the Celtic Fringe
sourbugger Says: Robin Fox wrote an in-depth book about the Tory islanders that is available from Amazon and 'all good bookshops' as they say (and presumbly from several crap ones as well).The book gave rise to a debate in the academic sociology community about the meaning of community. Some...
The gallery & ask about !: Buying original works of art
sourbugger Says: Several of the 175 inhabitants enjoy painting and there is something of a 'Tory Island school' that has developedFor example this bird's eye view of Tory, is by Patsy Dan. The King of Tory (see another tip), Patsy Dan is an original member of the internationally renowned...
The shop: The Betty Ford clinic for shopaholics
sourbugger Says: Tory island is served by just one shop. You can tell this because the brochure for the island just lists it as "The Shop".It's friendly enough - although it only sells life's essentials.The feeling that it is "A local shop for local people" still comes through loud and clear...
Helpfulness
The Illicit distilling of Poteen takes place in many areas across Ireland, but this is one of the finer places for it to happen.
Sometimes known as Irish moonshine, it is in fact similar to vodka as it is based on the Potato. Be warned (I almost put this on the dangers section) it can be very strong - although you seem to get drunk from the feet up, and when you stand up : you tend to fall down again.
Being illegal, one should not ask for the stuff, but if you are really getting on well with someone a bottle might just appear !
You can now buy commercially produced stuff, but it is obviously far weaker and less potent than the real McCoy.
Updated Mar 31, 2004
Steep cliffs - don't fall over one!
helenjones Says: If you get off the jetty, turn right and keep going you will eventually come to a narrow strip of land separating two beaches at the northern end of the island. Beware! The cliff to the left (which you may well not see) is a sheer drop with no warning and no fencing. We were...
sourbugger Says: The seas around Tory can get very rough. Apart from the obvious danger of seasickness, you may also be physically cut off from 'the country' or more accruately - mainland Ireland.It has been known for the Island to be cut off in winter for up to SIX WEEKS.This is very...
sourbugger Says: I am 35 years old, and this was the first time that I have ever taken my rod out (Fnarr-Fnarr)We fished off the quay at the end of the island past East town and I bagged a fish on my very first attempt. On the second cast I caught two fish together - to my astonishment..I...
sourbugger Says: Jogging on Tory island is wonderful - mainly due to the fact that there are very few cars and only one road.You can jog from one end of the island (about 3 miles) and never have to worry about where you are.A jog out to the lighthouse is also good fun following a road, then...
Tory Island County Donegal is situated 11 kilometres off the North West Coast of Ireland. The people of Ireland regard Tory Island as being the jewel in the crown of islands off the coast of...
The most north-westerly point in europe
It's amazing really that the government have continued to allow people to live on Tory as I'm sure it must be inaccessible at several times during the year, either by boat or flight. Anyway, thank god...
Toraigh, or Tory Island, nine miles north of the coast of Donegal, is by common consent "the most isolated, the most desolate, the most windswept of any of the Irish islands". It is an island drenched...
Build your own Tory Island page
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