Islands of Ireland: Who knows if Inishcottle is named after a person, an Irish word — maybe a cuttlefish?

This Mayo island has a connection to Princess Grace of Monaco — she visited to meet her cousins

Inishcottle, County Mayo with Croagh Patrick in the background. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Several Irish islands can claim connections to royalty, though of a homegrown kind. Tory Island, County Donegal, for years had its self-styled king, the late Patsy Dan Rodgers. With his sailor’s cap, ear stud, and twinkle in his eye, he was an unforgettable character if you met him. Great Saltee, County Wexford, had a resident king too, one of the Neale family. Turbot Island, County Galway, was another to have a king: John Wallace who died in 2009 aged 95, was described as “a grand old man, hale and hearty”.

The coffin of Ireland's last king, Patsy Dan Rodgers, makes its way to St Colmcille's Church on Tory Island, off the coast of County Donegal for his funeral in October 2018. Picture: Niall Carson /PA Wire