Visit Innisfallen Island Travel Guide

Innisfallen Island, a serene island in Lough Leane, within Killarney National Park, holds a captivating history dating back to the 7th century. St. Finian the Leper founded a monastery here around 640 AD, transforming the island into a hub of learning and solitude for monks. The island is best known as the place where the Annals of Innisfallen were written, chronicling early Irish history from 433 to 1450 AD. These annals, penned by 39 monks, are now housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. The island's monastic site also faced Viking raids and attacks from Irish clans, yet it remained a center of education.Visitors can explore the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Priory and a Romanesque church, remnants of the island's rich religious and architectural heritage. The island is also home to a unique herd of Sika deer, adding to its natural charm. Boat tours to Innisfallen Island typically depart from Reen Pier, near Ross Castle, offering a scenic journey across the lake. These tours provide an opportunity to wander through the abbey ruins and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.