Tory Island Ireland (An Baile Thiar)

Tory Island (Toraigh) is located approx 15 km (9 mi) off mainland Ireland's northwestern coast. The island has length approx 5 km (3 mi) and population around 200. It has no airport but is served by regularly scheduled daily ferries (run by Tory Ferry) departing from the mainland (Magheroarty Pier in Donegal). The daily ferry service is run between April and October, with 5 weekly crossings for the rest of the year. Ferries are passenger-only (don't take cars) and with max capacity 70 pax. Due to the rough sea, ferry travel during winter months may not be possible. A 4-seat helicopter runs to Tory from Falcarragh (November through March) every Thursday.

Cruise ships to Tory Island dock or anchor at/off An Baile Thiar/West Town (on the southern coast) wich is fitted with a long pier.

The isle is an Important Bird Area - a breeding site for corncrakes (aka landrails) - a globally threatened species as their numbers have fallen with the intensification of agriculture.

Tory Island has several mythological and historical sites, including Balor's Fort (Dun Bhaloir) on the eastern side, surrounded by 90-m (295-ft) high cliffs.

The big key (Eochair Mhor) is a steep-sided spur sticking out from the peninsula's east side and ending in a crag named The big rock (An Tor Mor).

The Wishing Stone is a flat-topped rock located beside the northern face of Balor's Fort. A wish is granted to anyone who steps onto the rock or succeeds in throwing 3 stones onto it.

The Bell Tower (Cloigtheach) is the biggest surviving structure of the monastery (6th-7th centuries).

Tau Cross (t-shaped cross dating back from the 12th century) is one of only two such crosses in Ireland - the other being in Kilnaboy (County Clare).

Teach an tSolais (Tory Island Lighthouse, on the west end) was built in the 19th-century (1828-1832). In April 1990, it was automated and is currently one of all three in Ireland with a Differential Global Positioning System.