The ethnography of Clare Island and Inishturk, Co. Mayo / by Charles R. Browne.

  • Browne, Charles Robert.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The ethnography of Clare Island and Inishturk, Co. Mayo / by Charles R. Browne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    that of Eallycroy, and might be considered as fairly representative of the people of South Mayo, another reason influencing the decision was the recent acquisition of Clare Island by the Congested Districts Board, and the changes in customs and modes of life to be apprehended from the improvements introduced, so that it became imperative that this district should be surveyed at once, if it was ever to be success- fully attempted at all. One of the principles observed in choosing a district for survey is, that localities in which any great change is likely to occur soon should be chosen in preference to those in which the condition of affaii’s is more settled. In this instance there was especial need of promptness, as the changes had already begun, and have by now advanced so far that much of what is said in this report relative to the dwellings and mode of life of the people is now a record of the past. II.—Physiography. The two islands dealt witli in this report lie outside Clew Bay, at a distance of about 18 to 20 miles from Westport, and about 6 miles from Louisburg, the nearest post town. Clare Island is much the larger of the two, ]ia\ing an area of 3959 acres. Its greatest length is about 6 miles, and it varies in breadth from 1 mile to 3 miles. Tlie coast line all round is higb and rocky, except at one place, the bay above which the castle is situated, v^here there is a stretch of strand backed by a few sandhills. All the rest of the coast is so high and rugged that there are only two other landing places, and these would be of little use if not artiflcially improved. The cliffs on the east side are low, ranging from 20 to 100 feet above sea-level, and pierced by coves, natural bridges, and caves; but on the north and west they are bold and rugged, rising like a wall from the sea, and attaining at Knockmore, on the west side, an altitude of 1520 feet. The surface is much varied, rising in places into high hills, covered with a thin layer of peat; most of the western half of the island is thus composed of hill and moor, and is used as a commonage. The lower lying part of the island and the central valley are fertile ; and it is here that the main part of the population centres. Altogether there are about 1000 acres of arable land; all the rest is moor and mountain. There are several small rivulets among the hills. The rock of the island is sandstone conglomerate at the east end, but else- where it is mainly slate. Inishturk, which lies four miles and a-half to the south-west of Clare Island, is much smaller, its greatest length being 21 miles, and its breadth 1 mile. Its coast is very rugged and rocky, and there are