Tory Island, or simply Tory, is an island 14.5 km (9 mi) off the north-west coast of County Donegal in Ireland. It is also known in Irish as Oileán Thoraigh, Oileán Thoraí or, historically, Oileán Thúr Rí.
The island is approximately 5 km (3 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. The 2002 census recorded a population of 133. The population is divided among four towns — An Baile Thoir (East Town), An Baile Thiar (West Town), An Lár (Middletown) and Úrbaile (Newtown). In August 2010, the King of Tory confirmed that there were 96 people living on the island.In the apocryphal history of Ireland, Lebor Gabála Érenn, Tory Island was the site of Conand's Tower, the stronghold of the Fomorians, before they were defeated by the Nemedians in a great battle on the island. The later Fomorian king Balor of the evil eye also lived here. Balor would imprison Ethlinn in a tower built atop Tor Mór (or Túr Mór in Old Irish, meaning The High Tower). Tor Mór is the island's highest point.
A monastery was founded on Tory in the 6th century by Colmcille. The monastery dominated life on the island until 1595, when it was plundered and destroyed by English troops, waging a war of suppression against local chieftains. The monastery's bell tower is the largest structure to survive and was built in the 6th or 7th century.The Battle of Tory Island, the last action in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, took place at sea nearby.Petrol and diesel are available from Tory Oil at prices significantly higher than on the mainland.Tory has no airport, but has regular ferry connections from mainland County Donegal. The ferry travels daily from April to October and five times a week for the rest of the year. The ferry does not take cars, but holds up to 70 passengers. During the winter months sea crossings may not be possible due to rough seas - but from November to March a small 4-seater helicopter runs from Falcarragh to Tory every other Thursday.
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