Islands of Ireland: The largest inland island in Ireland — where Brian Boru might be buried

A local woman, born in 1861, passed on a verse to her grandson and it could well indicate that this is the resting place of Irish royalty

Islands of Ireland: Cattle boat on Illaunmore, Lough Derg, County Claire. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Here is an island that is possibly touched with Irish royalty. A standing stone at the water’s edge in a thicket of trees is reputed to be the resting place of the famous Brian Boru. The man who put the Vikings to flight at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 and who was embroiled in numerous other battles is said to be buried on Illaunmore. Brian was born at the southern end of the lake at Killaloe in 941 so it is appropriate enough that he was interred on the island. However, a conflicting theory has it that the great man is interred at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh City. As no excavation has been carried out though, the jury is still out on this one.

Illaunmore Island, County Clare measures 212 acres. Picture: Googlemaps