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Kay Summersby: Woman from Inish Beg
Could Have Been a First Lady?

About Inish Beg
The Island of Inish Beg
Birdwatching Holidays
The Gardens & Woodland
Farming at Inish Beg

The History of Inish Beg County Cork Ireland

There is a bronze age Cromlech (boulder burial) within the grounds, as well as a tree covered Lissaghaun (little fort or fairy mound) in front of the main house.

The local saint, St. Fachtna is recorded as having been given the "Book of Dues" on the island in the 6th century.

The island belonged to a Richard White in the 17th Century and was acquired by the MacCarthy Morrough family in 1827. Initially used as a summer retreat, the main house was finally finished in 1899.

The population of the island followed a familiar pattern to that of much of the rural west of Ireland. Lewis quotes 109 inhabitants in 1837, but the numbers then declined to 11 by 1901 following the famine years of the mid nineteenth century and the agricultural depression of the 1880's.

In the 1930's the Land Commission acted to assist three families to acquire land on the island. There are now about 20 persons living permanently on Inish Beg.

The Keanes acquired Inish Beg Estate in 1997 and have been involved in a major restoration programme over the past few years.

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- John & Sally McKenna's Bridgestone Irish Food Guide 2007