Islands of Ireland: Purple patch at monastery

The recent rescue from the sea of around a dozen youngsters attending Irish college at Magheroarty beach in Co Donegal is a reminder of the extremely dangerous seas in that county. Enormous Atlantic rollers strike the coast with incredible force and destructive power. This is one of the reasons why Donegal has the best beaches in the country as the rocks are pulverised to a fine golden sand along its 1,200km of glittering coast.

Imagine rowing your currach laden with supplies for your monastery to an island 5km across those waters. This is what St Dubhthach or Dubhthaigh (anglicised to Dooey) and his monks did in the sixth century in constructing their monastery on Inishdooey Island. Beyond the rolling whitecaps lies Tory Island 9km distant.