Islands of Ireland: A 'speck' of an island which has seen storms and tragedy

Ilaunrahanee, off the west Cork coast, has no signs of human activity whatsoever now

Islands of Ireland: Ilaunrahanee viewed from Cunnamore Point in West Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

This really is a speck of an island and barely worth a second glance for those strolling near Cunnamore Point in West Cork just off the Skibbereen to Ballydehob road. It gives definition to the shoreline which stretches away east from this southern aspect of Roaringwater Bay to the northside of the bay and Kilcoe Castle. The range encompasses islands large (Castle, Horse) and small (the Skeams) as well as several tiddlers such as Goose Island and Coolim with its lovely arch.

Ilaunrahanee is more properly an islet in geographic terms and has never had human habitation, though it is possible animals may have grazed its tiny proportions. In fact there are no signs of human activity whatsoever, least of all a pier to allow the curious a landing point.