Whiddy Island

Whiddy Island
Oileán Faoide
Isle
Whiddy Island seen from the south shore of Bantry Bay
Whiddy Island seen from the south shore of Bantry Bay
Whiddy Island is located in Ireland
Whiddy Island
Whiddy Island
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 51°41′21.88″N 09°30′01.07″W / 51.6894111°N 9.5002972°W / 51.6894111; -9.5002972
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCounty Cork
Population
 (2022)[1]
31
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))

Whiddy Island (Irish: Oileán Faoide)[2] is an island near the head of Bantry Bay in Ireland. It is approximately 5.6 km (3.5 mi) long and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) wide. The topography comprises gently-rolling glacial till, with relatively fertile soil.[3] As late as 1880 the island had a resident population of around 450, mainly engaged in fishing and small-scale farming, but today the population has reduced to approximately 30 people.[1][4][5] Previously home to Whiddy Island Naval Air Station, the island is noted for its oil terminal facilities – and the related Whiddy Island Disaster.

  1. ^ a b Population of Inhabited Islands Off the Coast (Report). Central Statistics Office. 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Placenames Database of Ireland". Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  3. ^ A Topological Dictionary of Ireland. Samuel Lewis. 1837 – via libraryireland.com. immediately in front of [Bantry House] is the undulating and fertile island of Whiddy, formerly a deer park, but now converted into valuable farms
  4. ^ "Discover Ireland (Official Website of Irish Tourism) – Offshore Islands – Whiddy Island". Discoverireland.ie. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Islands – Change in Population 1841 – 2011". Irishislands.info (Census data). Retrieved 9 September 2013.