Islands of Ireland: Mannion’s Island comes at a price

The island’s name comes from the old Irish Manainn which is also Manx for the Isle of Man

Mannion's Island in Dumanus Bay off the coast of County Cork received global attention two years ago when crowdfunders, LetsBuyAnIsland.com, attempted to buy it, however they settled on buying an island in Belize instead.

This obscure Co Cork island shot to worldwide fame two years ago when crowdfunders attempted to buy it. The efforts of LetsBuyAnIsland.com in securing the island for its followers was picked up by the international media and the island was listed on dozens of property websites.

It was a fairly amazing choice for the venture, which has latterly subsided, as the lack of a natural shelter there in the form of a windbreak would seemingly militate against comfortable existence. No one lives there or probably ever did. And the lack of a pier is also a distinct disadvantage.