Fáílte go Óstan Thoraígh…Welcome to Tory Hotel

Hotel Tory. 1 ngts B&B & rtn ferry €70 or 2 ngts €99 P.P.S. for day trip book your ferry here for only €15 rtn
From April to September

Tory Island, County Donegal is situated 11 kilometres off the North West Coast of Ireland. The people of Ireland regard Tory Island as being the jewel in the crown of islands off the coast of Ireland. Visitors to Tory Island and especially Óstan Thóraigh - Tory Hotel, have said "the experience is traditionally Tory."

The people of Tory Island (Gaeltacht) refer to the mainland as "the country". Tory Island derives its name from the high pinnacle cliffs eroded by the battering swells of the Atlantic. With a coastline of 400 miles and many sheltered coves and bays, Donegal is a haven for the water sport enthusiast. Tory Island is not an exception to all of this.

Pat and Berney Doohan warmly welcome you to their family owned and managed Óstan Thóraigh - Tory Hotel,

All 14 bedrooms are en-suite as well as having private telephone and remote control television. We're sure you will enjoy and remember your stay at Tory Hotel on Tory island, where there are many sights to see and activities to do, for many years to come. We look forward to seeing you again.

People's Bar of Óstan Thóriagh

The People's Bar social scene at the hotel captures the very essence of Tory Island folklore. What you witness is not only to be seen to be believed but is every bit as genuine as the personalities of the people of Tory themselves. The social scene has not been manufactured or devised to promote a fairytale image of Tory Island for you to take home - it is Tory Island folklore.

History of Tory

Tory Island is the most Northwesterly point in Europe, this treeless island measures 3 miles by 1 mile long.

Tory Island has been populated since the age of Neolithic farmers four thousand years ago. Legend, which dates Tory Island back to the Bronze Age, has it that the island was occupied by a race of pirates whose god-chief was Balor of the Evil Eve.

In the 6th century St. Columbcile founded a monastery on Tory and its round tower and Tau Cross still survive. The power of the sea is a constant theme in the Islanders "primitive" paintings, which are famous throughout the world.

It is said that years ago the civil authorities wanted to set up a prison on Tory. An ideal spot for a prison as it is practically impossible to escape from this ancient dungeon fort. Because of its situation on the Northwestern seaboard, it is bleak, remote and until recently inaccessible and for far too long utterly forgotten and neglected.

The great seas rolling in from the Atlantic and the deceptive currents sweeping through Tory Sound has severed communication with the mainland for up to six weeks with the worst stormy conditions imaginable.

Tau Cross

Colm Cille had a monastery on the island which flourished, making Tory island the principal ecclesiastical centre in Northwest Ulster for a thousand years. In May 1595 the monks fled to the mainland after their monastery was destroyed by a detachment of English troops commanded by George Bingham.

The distinctive Tau Cross is a reminder of the monastic period. Situated by the pier in An Baile Thiar and carved from a single slab of mica slate, it is 1.9m in height and 1.1m in breadth.

It is of great importance to the fishermen, many of whom pray here before going fishing. The only other Tau or T-shaped cross in Ireland is in Cil Iníne Baoith, Co Clare.

It is said that Aindreas na gCros, a Cromwellian solider much given to breaking crosses, struck the cross twice with his sword. The cross did not break but the marks made by his sword may still be discerned on it.

Washed ashore during World War II, defused and many years later, the Torpedo was erected midway between An Baile Thiar and An Baile Thoir. It is well positioned as it stands near the site of what was perhaps the bloddiest battle in the history of the Island - Sir Henry Foillot and Maolmhuire and Bhata Bhuí MacSuibhne, surprised, besieged and massacred the forces of Seán Mánais Óig ÓDomhnail, the last Irish leader to submit to the English after the rebellion of 1608.

Placenames close to the torpedo bear testimony to the massacre - Log Anáil na nDaoine (Hollow of the people's breath), Claí an Áir (Bank of the massacre) and Fuíoll na bhFear (remains of the men).

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