Islands of Ireland: Colt Island - 'A treeless island devoid of shelter'

Colt Island, Skerries, Co Dublin, with tern sanctuary, Rockabill, further out, and much smaller. Note the lighthouse in the background also. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

A needle, an anchor, and a kitchen sink were among the items dropped by parachute to Colt Island, Co Dublin, as part of a rescue exercise in 1959 by the Irish Parachute Club. Its exercise demonstrated the basic requirements needed for an island of similar size — seven acres —  cut off by the weather. 

Many such drops had to be made over the years, especially in the west of Ireland, for islands cut off by the inclement weather.