Inis Saimer Island
Inis Saimer is a private residential island surrounded by the quiet waters of the Erne Estuary in the town of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in the North West of Ireland on the renowned Wild Atlantic Way.
Ease of Access
Access to Inis Saimer is entirely in sheltered waters and facilitated by the island’s own private floating jetty, enabling one to come and go at all stages of the tide. It is a private isla ...
Inis Saimer is a private residential island surrounded by the quiet waters of the Erne Estuary in the town of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in the North West of Ireland on the renowned Wild Atlantic Way.
Ease of Access
Access to Inis Saimer is entirely in sheltered waters and facilitated by the island’s own private floating jetty, enabling one to come and go at all stages of the tide. It is a private island retreat, a sheltered restful place, yet Ballyshannon’s town centre, with its shops and restaurants, is no more than 6 minutes away. The journey between the island and Ballyshannon’s Mall Quay takes less than two minutes.
The Residence
The residence on Inis Saimer, built in the mid 1800’s, is very spacious (approx. 36.5m x 6.5m total inside dimensions).
It has a generously proportioned open plan living space, comprising a kitchen and family dining and sitting areas (approx. 6.5m x 4.5m). A large hallway (approx. 13.4m x 1.9m), connects to a bathroom (approx. 1.9m x 3.4m), three double bedrooms (approx. 3.7m x 3.9m each), and a large function/banquet room (approx. 6.6m x 12.4m).
The house is connected to the national electricity grid (and is also to be connected to fibre optic broadband), mains water supply, and has its own septic tank.
A generous balcony/deck connects to the eastern gable and overlooks the Erne River, the Mall Quay, and the town of Ballyshannon.
The large window of the function room in the western gable commands a view of the spectacular vista of the Erne Estuary, the high dunes of Finner, and the surf of Donegal Bay.
The History
Inis Saimer, because of its strategic position in the Erne estuary, has a rich and, at times, dramatic history.
Surrounded by water as it is, it was used as a protected place to live stretching back into prehistory. Myth has it, that a Scythian chief named Parthalon settled on the island with his followers around 2700 BC, and are reputed to be the first people to set foot in Ireland.
Historical records indicate that Inis Saimer was used as a protected stronghold by Irish chieftains such as the O’Cannons, O’Mulderrys, and the O’Donnells.
Cistercian monks used it as a place of residence in the 1100’s and 1200’s.
As part of the Plantation of Ulster, Inis Saimer was taken by the British Crown and given to protestant planters and Trinity College Dublin. Various historical battles taking place at Erne River crossings spilled over onto the island.
The island was at one time owned by Thomas Conolly, the first Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament and then richest man in Ireland.
Historically tonnes of salmon and eels were caught from the shores of Inis Saimer. The current house on the island was built as part of the Erne Fishing Company.
Currently the island’s shores provide prime seatrout angling as well as occasional salmon.
Island Atmosphere
Inis Saimer offers a lifestyle that is truly exceptional. It is unique, as this island combines easy and safe accessibility with discreet privacy and tranquility.
Inis Saimer is a private residential island surrounded by the quiet waters of the Erne Estuary in the town of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in the North West of Ireland on the renowned Wild Atlantic Way.
Ease of Access
Access to Inis Saimer is entirely in sheltered waters and facilitated by the island’s own private floating jetty, enabling one to come and go at all stages of the tide. It is a private island retreat, a sheltered restful place, yet Ballyshannon’s town centre, with its shops and restaurants, is no more than 6 minutes away. The journey between the island and Ballyshannon’s Mall Quay takes less than two minutes.
The Residence
The residence on Inis Saimer, built in the mid 1800’s, is very spacious (approx. 36.5m x 6.5m total inside dimensions).
It has a generously proportioned open plan living space, comprising a kitchen and family dining and sitting areas (approx. 6.5m x 4.5m). A large hallway (approx. 13.4m x 1.9m), connects to a bathroom (approx. 1.9m x 3.4m), three double bedrooms (approx. 3.7m x 3.9m each), and a large function/banquet room (approx. 6.6m x 12.4m).
The house is connected to the national electricity grid (and is also to be connected to fibre optic broadband), mains water supply, and has its own septic tank.
A generous balcony/deck connects to the eastern gable and overlooks the Erne River, the Mall Quay, and the town of Ballyshannon.
The large window of the function room in the western gable commands a view of the spectacular vista of the Erne Estuary, the high dunes of Finner, and the surf of Donegal Bay.
The History
Inis Saimer, because of its strategic position in the Erne estuary, has a rich and, at times, dramatic history.
Surrounded by water as it is, it was used as a protected place to live stretching back into prehistory. Myth has it, that a Scythian chief named Parthalon settled on the island with his followers around 2700 BC, and are reputed to be the first people to set foot in Ireland.
Historical records indicate that Inis Saimer was used as a protected stronghold by Irish chieftains such as the O’Cannons, O’Mulderrys, and the O’Donnells.
Cistercian monks used it as a place of residence in the 1100’s and 1200’s.
As part of the Plantation of Ulster, Inis Saimer was taken by the British Crown and given to protestant planters and Trinity College Dublin. Various historical battles taking place at Erne River crossings spilled over onto the island.
The island was at one time owned by Thomas Conolly, the first Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament and then richest man in Ireland.
Historically tonnes of salmon and eels were caught from the shores of Inis Saimer. The current house on the island was built as part of the Erne Fishing Company.
Currently the island’s shores provide prime seatrout angling as well as occasional salmon.
Island Atmosphere
Inis Saimer offers a lifestyle that is truly exceptional. It is unique, as this island combines easy and safe accessibility with discreet privacy and tranquility.
