Islands of Ireland: The Westmeath island of a Viking king

Turgesius was a Viking king who laid waste to many churches in the north Midlands

Turgesius Island in Westmeath. Turgesius was a Viking king who landed in the north of Ireland in 832 as commander of many ships, and laid waste to many churches in the Midlands.

We have just one island that recalls our Viking heritage, that of Turgesius in Co Westmeath. Strange, when you consider the incessant attacks Ireland endured from the Norsemen. There is nothing to recall Ivar of Limerick, or Olaf in Dublin. Then again, why would you want to commemorate a slaughter?

Turgesius Island lies in the eastern end of Lough Lene, Co Westmeath. The lake is the most northerly of a quartet of four lakes — the much bigger Lough Ennel and Lough Owel and the elongated Lough Derravaragh.