Islands of Ireland - Haulbowline: A name with a slippery past?

Haulbowline Island Recreational Park will have 4km of walkways and a 1km jogging circuit, when it is completed. The word 'Haulbowline' refers to the dwelling place of the eel.

THE signpost at the village of Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, points in the direction of Inis Sionnach, which is more popularly known as Haulbowline. However, it is a long time since Haulbowline was thus known. Several other islands around the country  have  a vulpine influence in their name; chiefly, Shennick Island, Co Dublin. Haulbowline is one of the more curious  island names in Ireland and has nothing to do with 'hauling the bow line', despite its  military history.

'Haulbowline'  is thought to derive from the Norse word 'aalebolig', comprised of 'aal' (eel) and 'bolig' (dwelling place). In his history of the island, Niall Brunicardi explains that 'Haulbowline' crops up in one other place in Ireland: At the mouth of Carlingford Lough (also Norse), in Co Down,  a lighthouse  bears that name. And it is also an area where eels  gather. Brunicardi has also identified a historic version of Haulbowline, known as Inis Eidhneach (Ivy Island).