Island Roy is a pleasant if not very exciting island linked by a causeway to the mainland of County Donegal. It lies to the north of the village of Carrickart. There isn't much to do on the island apart from walk up and down the road. There were no marked footpaths that I could see. Its name in Irish - Oilean Ruaidh - means Red Island, supposedly after the colour the vegetation goes in autumn. Well bracken certainly goes brown in autumn but most of the island is currently covered in grass, which as far as I am aware stays green all year round. It was formerly known as Oileran na Bhreighe, meaning 'island of the prisoners.' Who the prisoners were I have no idea.
There are only a handful of houses on the island and at least 4 of them are available to rent as self-catering holiday accommodation.
Island Roy from the mainland
The causeway looked as if it would be crossable at all but the very highest tides - there was no sign of any seaweed strewn across it as far as I could see.
Mainland from Island Roy
Sign as you set foot on the island
Island Visitors' Code of Conduct
Smart house on Island Roy
Bungalows on Island Roy
Beach at Island Roy
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