Dernish Island

My Local History Project

Dernish Island and Milk Harbour

by Mollie Mc Cann

Facts about Dernish Island:

Dernish island is an uninhabited relatively hilly island .

Dernish island lies just off the main Sligo/ Donegal road between villages of Grange and Cliffoney.

Both Milk Harbour and Dernish island have a rich heritage, pre-celtic history and legend suggests that they are the sites of ancient invasions and battles.

Milk Harbour was the site of a well known boat building tradition where the McCann family crafted clinker built boats to order.

History:

Tom and John McCann made Clinker built boats to order. John made Lord Louis Mountbattens boat Shadow V. Lord Louis Mountbatten sent a letter to John saying that he was very happy with the boat and would give him an extra 20 pounds to do some repairs on the boat. Sadly Tom passed away in 2003 and John passed away in 2013. Since then a lot of things have changed, their relations Steve and Geraldine Barker renovated the house and boat shed into a holiday destination called Milk Harbour Holidays. They have turned the Boat Shed into a beautiful studio apartment and it is full of history still, when I visit it reminds of me of a museum as it is full of John & Toms memorabilia. It really has the best view over to Mullaghamore and right across the ocean to Donegal.

Interesting things for me living here:

Carns Primary School- Milk Harbour is the nearest seahore to me, about 2 minute walk ! Every year Carns Primary School pupils make several trips to Milk Harbour and visit the shore with Marine Biologists to guide them. The School go at low tide exploring the sea shells at the sea shore. They identified 7 seashells at Milk Harbour : Cockles, Mussels, Razor Shells, Common Periwinkles & Flat Periwinkles, Limpets & The Common Whelk.

Habitants on Dernish Island: Until about 1 year ago a family lived on Dernish Island and a little girl called Kathleen was a pupil in Carns School. Kathleen came in on the boat with her Dad every morning to go to School. She would always wave at me and sometime walk on my wall! She now lives in Bundoran and their house is a summer house for tourists. I would like to stay there! Last summer some people camped out on the Island too.

The Horse Holiday farm guests trek along the coastline and up by Milk Harbour sometimes, It is very scenic and lovely to see all the horses walking my road! I also get loads of friendly waves!

Fun things I do at Milk Harbour:

Pier Jumping

Kayaking and other water sports like stand up paddling

Walk my dog and play with him

Picnics with friends

Watch the Sunset

Dernish Island by Daniel White and Aiden Gillen.

Dernish Island is a small Island in Co.Sligo and is near to Milk Harbour and O'Conors island. Years ago there was six houses and the families that lived there were the Mulligans, Kellys and Gillens.

Now Ron Lenstion is the only one who lives there. The easiest way to get to Dernish is by boat from Milk Harbour, or you can walk at low tide from Streedagh beach

Last changed: Jun 23 2021 at 6:55 PM