Gola Island, Island in County Donegal, Ireland
Gola Island, known in Irish as Oileán Ghabhla, is a small island off the coast of County Donegal, roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) from the pier at Machaire Gathlán. The western side rises into hills and granite sea cliffs, while the eastern side flattens out toward small sandy beaches and a central lake called Loch Mhachaire na nGall.
The island was once home to a small fishing and farming community, with a school built in 1846 that still stood until the population left in the late 1960s. The closure of the school was a turning point: without it, families moved to the mainland and the island became uninhabited.
The island's Irish name, Oileán Ghabhla, is still used by people in the surrounding coastal communities, reflecting how present the Irish language remains in this part of Donegal. A small visitor center called An Teach Beag opens during the tourist season and offers a good starting point for understanding how people once lived here.
A ferry called The Cricket runs from Magherallan Pier, near Bunbeg, to the island, and booking ahead is a good idea since crossings outside the main season are arranged by prior agreement. Sturdy footwear is worth bringing, as the paths on the island are rocky and uneven in places.
The island's central lake, Loch Mhachaire na nGall, was once full of eels that the islanders caught for food, though the lake today sits empty of residents and mostly overlooked by visitors. Nearby, a natural sea arch called Scoilt Uí Dhúgáin has been carved into the granite cliffs on the western shore, visible from certain walking paths.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
