Islands of Ireland: Islands lost and new islands formed on Ireland's Rhine

Spear-shaped Camphire Island on the Blackwater River is a haven for wildlife

Islands of Ireland: Camphire Island, County Waterford across the river. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Several islands on the magnificent 169km-long Blackwater River — known as Ireland’s Rhine — have over time been subsumed into the banks of the river. They have become farmland or occasionally wildlife-rich riparian strips. Just east of Fermoy, there was once a fairly large island called Careysville which met such a fate, while further east at Lismore, there are others including Cottage Island identifiable often by a narrow line of trees.

Many of the islands are nameless, perhaps too small to yet be considered islands. Where an island lies especially close to the bank it more than likely will be absorbed first via reed banks, and then some sturdy trees before earth gradually builds up over time. But as old islands are lost, new ones are formed as the river forms and reforms itself on its ceaseless journey.