Longford's Farrell Clan visit Inchcleraun Island on Lough Ree

Members of the Farrell Clan made a day trip to Inchcleraun Island also called Quaker Island situated in Lough Ree. The trip took 45 minutes by boat which was provided by Lough Ree Access For All departing from Lanesboro.

The visit was organised by Herbert Farrell who farms the island and who welcomed us warmly on arrival to the island.

Herbert relayed many interesting facts about Inchcleraun, for example that the island, 143 acres in size is home to the ruins of several churches, one of which is St. Diarmuid’s Monastery founded in 560 AD.

This monastery became an important centre of learning and pilgrimage which led to many important clan members being buried there down through the ages including Giolla Na Naomh O’ Farrell and Morogh O’ Farrell.

In the 1901 census there were just two families, Walsh and Farrell’s listed as living on the island. However, the last person living there was Dan Farrell who departed the island in the early 1960s to live on the mainland.

Later, upon our return to Lanesboro we had a lovely meal in Gerard Farrell’s The Swan Inn where we took the opportunity to mark the occasion of Connie Farrell’s 90th birthday with a birthday cake and it was lovely that he was accompanied by his wife Rose and family.

Connie has been our Chieftain since 1993. His daughter Charlotte will be inaugurated as our next chieftain during the next Farrell Clan Rally. We wish Connie good health and happiness from the Farrell Clan Committee.

We thank Liam Grimes Lough Ree Access For All for assisting so well.

We would also like to extend a big thanks to Herbert for organising this historic adventure enriched with Farrell history and for being our guide for the day. It’s a trip that we will always remember fondly and hope to repeat during the next Farrell Clan rally in 2026.