Innisfallen

Take a boat from Ross Castle to this very special island in Lough Leane where the impressive archaeological remains of the ruined monastery dating from early Christian times can be seen. This monastery was founded in the 7th century by St. Finian the Leper, and was occupied for approximately 700 years. Over a period of about 300 of these, the 'Annals of Inisfallen' were written, which chronicle the early history of Ireland as it was known to the monks. 

The Annals are therefore an extremely important manuscript, and the original copy is kept in a controlled atmosphere in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. The monastery here is also thought to have given rise to the name Lough Leane, which means "Lake of Learning". 

Brian Boru, the most famous High King was educated here and Thomas Moore wrote a special poem about Innisfallen.