Bounla Island is an island of about 16 acres in size in Lough Derg just off the shore from Ballinderry in County Tipperary. The island is owned by the ESB (folio TY55099F).
There are 2 landing places shown on the 25” map, I used the one at the south east of the island.
The island is divided into two parts, separated by very wet ground. On the 6” map it’s shown as 2 islands.
The southern part of the island is fairly easy to walk around but the northern section is much more overgrown.
Inhabitants
On the 1841 census there was no one recorded on the island, in 1851 there were 11 people (3 males and 8 females) recorded living in 2 houses, and by 1861 it was empty again.
On the Griffith Valuation (completed in 1853) there were 2 proprieters listed, William Darcy and John Quirk. More than likely these are 2 of the 3 males from the census above.
I couldn’t find any trace of those 2 houses, the only obviously man-made structure I could see was this recently built free-standing fireplace/chimney.
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