Island post office reopens as inhabitants take initiatives in providing essential services

Carraig a Bhidh (the Rock of the Food), Druim na Seargan Beag (the Ridge of the Withered Grass) and Loch a' Lin (the Lake of the Flax) are some of the intriguing locations marked on a new map of Inis Toirc/Inishturk island in Co Mayo.

Not only is it new, but it is a first for Inishturk's Tourism Association. Published with the assistance of the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, it comes with an Ordnance Survey permit and folds into a pocket-sized reference for the visitor.

The map marks out walking routes, though in no great detail, and also identifies archaeological and historical points of interest, such as the fulachta fiadh or ancient cooking places, an early Christian "hole stone" at a graveyard in the south-east, beehive huts, a promontory fort and a 19th-century signal tower below Coimin an tSleibhe, or Common Mountain.

Bed-and-breakfast houses are marked, along with contact phone numbers, and there is even a symbol for the island's public telephone near the harbour. In tandem with the map - the publication of which was marked by Mr Frank Clarke, television broadcaster, at a function on the island last month - the tourism association has also published postcards.

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An "artist's haven" with "hilly landscape, excellent beaches and wonderful views" is how the cards describe the island, nine miles off the Mayo coast, which can be reached by regular ferry services from Roonagh Quay, near Louisburgh, Co Mayo, and from Cleggan in Co Galway.

As the map shows, the island still has its post office, in spite of An Post's national restructuring plans. The good news is that neighbouring Clare islanders have won their battle to reopen their own post office, as shop-owner Padraig O'Malley is to take on the contract.

For the last couple of years, the population of 165 has had to make a five-mile sea journey to the mainland to post a letter, and postwoman Ann Moran has collected pensions and sorted mail herself, without being paid to do so.

For more details on its map and cards, Inishturk Tourism Association can be contacted at (098) 45520.


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