Trouble on Tory Island...

whisky_galore

I could see the appeal of a weekend visit in summer but to endure bleak fcuking winters, trapped there for days or weeks on end.... that's a big fat nope from me.

wexie

Ajsoprano wrote: »

We should build a giant prison on it. But rent the beds to oversees prisons. Imagine how much a foreign prison would pay to have a place to send the prisoners who are too much hassle for them.

What cause we wouldn't have enough of our own prisoners here like?

I like your idea but it lacks vision.

I've always said we should take one (or a few) of the islands and just make them prison colonies. Mine the beaches, make sure they can't leave.

Put webcams all over the place, drop in food and weapons once a week (or forthnight) and just make it a payperview event. Whole thing will pay for itself.

Once this is established....then we can start taking on foreign prisoners.

Kinda like The Condemned except of course we should only just actual baddies and perhaps not keep the production team on the actual island

end of the road

whisky_galore wrote: »

The leaving the island 'threat' is only bluff.

I don't know why that island wasn't evacuated decades ago like the Blaskets.

the people of the blaskets requested to be evacuated from what i understand. the people on tory island haven't made such a request so there is no requirement for an evacuation.

Spanish Eyes

whisky_galore wrote: »

I could see the appeal of a weekend visit in summer but to endure bleak fcuking winters, trapped there for days or weeks on end.... that's a big fat nope from me.

And a big fat nope from most people too I suspect. Including the Tory Islanders. Bleak is also what I think.

I don't know how they do it. But I reckon they are funded to either stay or leave to get a life/educated and so on. Do any of them return?

Sounds grim to me to be there but what do I know. I hold my hand up.

Nomis21

Nomis21 wrote: »

Trouble on Tory Island...

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm transported back to primary school and start singing every time I hear of Tory island

...Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Toraí,
Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.
Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Toraí,
Báidín Fheilimí is Feilimí ann.
(curfá)
Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,
Iasc ar bord agus Feilimí ann.
Báidín Fheilimí briseadh i dToraí,
Báidin Fheilimí agus feilimi ann.

The lovely Sinéad has even made a version of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ecK0dkBUTc

Ubbquittious

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

You live there all year round or just a visitor for the insular craic?

I personally would dislike the fact that everyone knows my business, I think living in a terraced house in somewhere like Cork or Dublin would be less nosey,

That is a No from me so.

Don't mind your insular if you haven't been. Don't cod yourself into thinking nobody knows your business if you're inside a terraced house some place either. They do, and they'll cause you a load of grief if they don't approve of it.

Spanish Eyes

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Don't mind your insular if you haven't been. Don't cod yourself into thinking nobody knows your business if you're inside a terraced house some place either. They do, and they'll cause you a load of grief if they don't approve of it.

I think I actually said that, but I can escape and go wherever I like too. It is life in the city.

Unlike the Tory Islanders who rely on a boat to leave. :cool:

Spanish Eyes

Would they all be related on Tory I wonder.

andekwarhola

To be fair, how much taxpayer money should be used to facilitate such a small amount of people that choose to live on a tiny island?

seamus

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

And a big fat nope from most people too I suspect. Including the Tory Islanders. Bleak is also what I think.

I don't know how they do it. But I reckon they are funded to either stay or leave to get a life/educated and so on. Do any of them return?

Sounds grim to me to be there but what do I know. I hold my hand up.

To be fair, it's a way of life that works for some people and doesn't work for others.

Some people move into the country for a "slower pace of life" and to be away from the rat-race. If rural living is still too fast and manic for you, you head off to the islands.

There was a series on RTE last year or the year before about it, quite interesting actually. A fair number of people do move there, but mostly people who marry an islander or people returning home to take over the family business.

They're having trouble with populations now because their younger people are heading off to the mainland to go to college, and understandably they find the island life far too dull when they return. Whereas in the past someone who finished school would take up a trade or whatever and hone their skills on the island. So by the time they're 30, they're well settled into island living.

corner of hells

I think the bloke that had the original ferry contract owns the main hotel on the island .

Probably a bit pissed that he can't fleece people the way he used too so is closing his island down..... forever.

Ubbquittious

corner of hells wrote: »

I think the bloke that had the original ferry contract owns the main hotel on the island .

Probably a bit pissed that he can't fleece people the way he used too so is closing his island down..... forever.

Is that the same fella the who knocked someone else's empty house to make a car park?

corner of hells

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Is that the same fella the who knocked someone else's empty house to make a car park?

I can vaguely remember that , the owner of the house had been missing/away for years , came back and his house was gone.

Spanish Eyes

Obvious that the incumbent ferry operator will get the islanders on his side.

But I am not sure what the rules are re tendering and so on regarding this island.

You can be sure that an outsider will never be welcome. Brave incumbent so!

Really, who has visited Tory Island. I suppose a few people have, but it is definitely one of those isolated places in the Grand Scheme of Tourism just the same.

Spanish Eyes

corner of hells wrote: »

I think the bloke that had the original ferry contract owns the main hotel on the island .

Probably a bit pissed that he can't fleece people the way he used too so is closing his island down..... forever.

"His Island", but I suppose he could really if he could and wanted to.

Ubbquittious

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Obvious that the incumbent ferry operator will get the islanders on his side.

But I am not sure what the rules are re tendering and so on regarding this island.

You can be sure that an outsider will never be welcome. Brave incumbent so!

Really, who has visited Tory Island. I suppose a few people have, but it is definitely one of those isolated places in the Grand Scheme of Tourism just the same.

I suppose in the grand scheme it has nothing on places like Tristan da Cunha or Jan Mayen or Bouvet island, though places like that become sought after among die hards for sheer remoteness

corner of hells

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

"His Island", but I suppose he could really if he could and wanted to.

I'm joking.

HeidiHeidi

I've been a few times (including predating the hotel) and it's a pretty special place.

The accent, the language, the landscape, the wildlife, the artists, the scenery, and just the splendid isolation are all unique. I take my hat off to anyone who actually lives there year-round - I wouldn't do it - but then being from close to Dublin city centre, neither would I live in rural countryside or a small country village either.

Each to their own. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. There are so few inhabited offshore islands that I think they should be celebrated and supported, and I for one am happy for my taxes to contribute to that before a lot of ****e that taxes get spent on. (I realise that this may be a fairly minority viewpoint.)

I suspect that there may indeed be a bit of local politics involved in this particular row, but I hope they can sort it without too much damage being done to the population of the island.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Ubbquittious

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

If they even got rid of the property tax Id move over in the morning. Cant stand the notion of supposedly buying a place and having to pay every year just to continue owning it, even though it would be only 90 quid a year

Spanish Eyes

corner of hells wrote: »

I'm joking.

I know, thanks!

Spanish Eyes

Am just thinking there. So you are living on an island out in the Atlantic, that few visit really comparatively speaking.

What is the attraction living in such an isolated spot. I dunno. Must work for some though.

I wish I knew how wonderful it is for a youngish person to live there. So tell me!

harry Bailey esq

Alun wrote: »

I'm confused as to this "threat" to leave the island unless the existing ferry is reinstated. Let them leave, what's the problem?

I wonder what king Patsy Dan makes of the whole debacle.

FrKurtFahrt

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Am just thinking there. So you are living on an island out in the Atlantic, that few visit really comparatively speaking.

What is the attraction living in such an isolated spot. I dunno. Must work for some though.

I wish I knew how wonderful it is for a youngish person to live there. So tell me!

You mean like the island of Ireland? Or a smaller island? Tell us all what attracts you to living on an island.

Ajsoprano

FrKurtFahrt wrote: »

You mean like the island of Ireland? Or a smaller island? Tell us all what attracts you to living on an island.

Are you saying Ireland is a small island that lives off subsidies and because of an echo chamber existence believes that Europe should buy them a brand new boat and subsidize their holidays and choose who gets the boat driver job or are you saying it’s surrounded by water.

loyatemu

there was a report on the RTE news about it this evening - none of the talking heads from the island explained why they don't want the "new" boat, or what was so superior about the old boat (from the pics I posted earlier, the new one looks slightly bigger, and is being totally refurbished before starting the service.) It all has a whiff of "The Field" about it.

Kuva

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Fit for purpose like the school bus in Clare this week?
http://www.clare.fm/news/gardai-seize-clare-school-bus-badly-worn-tires-rust/

Salt on the roads, bus owner should sue the state for wrecking his bus, we managed without that stuff been sprayed everywhere up til 2012, no need for it. Destroying everything on the road.

Capt'n Midnight

So what has the King of Tory to say ??

What's the word from Patsy ?

Ubbquittious

Kuva wrote: »

Salt on the roads, bus owner should sue the state for wrecking his bus, we managed without that stuff been sprayed everywhere up til 2012, no need for it. Destroying everything on the road.

Yes but we're in Europe now and we have to do what Europe does and they've been doing it in Europe for years so spraying salt on the roads and destroying the cars is catching up with Europe and being progressive

loyatemu

loyatemu wrote: »

there was a report on the RTE news about it this evening - none of the talking heads from the island explained why they don't want the "new" boat, or what was so superior about the old boat (from the pics I posted earlier, the new one looks slightly bigger, and is being totally refurbished before starting the service.) It all has a whiff of "The Field" about it.

They were asking for a custom ferry to be built. Tens of millions, minimum, for an island of just over 100 people.

Mrs OBumble

downwesht wrote: »

Big money spent on Cape Clear down here on a new pier /pontoons and deservedly so.Tory should get a decent ferry service too.We need to maintain our offshore communities who have rich traditions and heritage.

Why?

Bob_Marley

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Why?

.

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I've been a few times (including predating the hotel) and it's a pretty special place.

The accent, the language, the landscape, the wildlife, the artists, the scenery, and just the splendid isolation are all unique. I take my hat off to anyone who actually lives there year-round - I wouldn't do it - but then being from close to Dublin city centre, neither would I live in rural countryside or a small country village either.

Each to their own. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. There are so few inhabited offshore islands that I think they should be celebrated and supported, and I for one am happy for my taxes to contribute to that before a lot of ****e that taxes get spent on. (I realise that this may be a fairly minority viewpoint.)

Cookie_Monster

downwesht wrote: »

Are the Islanders not entitled to a decent boat whether tourists go there or not?

no, not unless they pay for it themselves. How is living out there in any way sustainable and why should tax payers be forced to subsidise it? What does it add to the nation in any way?

Odelay

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

no, not unless they pay for it themselves. How is living out there in any way sustainable and why should tax payers be forced to subsidise it? What does it add to the nation in any way?

What do you add to the nation? Why should we keep you?

donegaLroad

Tory had 70k visitors during the season two years ago.

There are 2 ferries, one is quite small and is faster than the large ferry. It can be a rough crossing if there is unsettled weather. The larger ferry feels a lot more stable in the water.

For anyone who has never been out, the sea cliffs at the back of the island are worth the visit. There is one pub and a hotel which opens from Easter.

HeidiHeidi

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

no, not unless they pay for it themselves. How is living out there in any way sustainable and why should tax payers be forced to subsidise it? What does it add to the nation in any way?

The same could be said of people who live in ribbon housing ever further out of towns, or one-off rural houses in the middle of the countryside, who still expect all the services of urban/town dwellers at their doorstep.

And at least the Tory islanders have some culture and scenery to offer in return.

KERSPLAT!

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Am just thinking there. So you are living on an island out in the Atlantic, that few visit really comparatively speaking.

What is the attraction living in such an isolated spot. I dunno. Must work for some though.

I wish I knew how wonderful it is for a youngish person to live there. So tell me!

You've posted the same thing eleventy times now, we get it... it's not for you. It obviously is for some or they wouldn't be there.

What's the attraction of living in an isolated spot? The isolation maybe.

retalivity

And for the people who ask why they live there, its their home! I know a few people from tory, they were born there, grew up there, went to secondary school in the mainland, went back to tory as adults to work in fishing, tourism etc and have families. Their families, social circle are there, they dont expect hospitals and shopping centres to be built there, just a means to get to magheraroarty if required.

I grew up in nw donegal, and have been living in cities, most recently dublin for the last 9 years. The insular notion people have that growing up and living on top each other in side by side houses, where youre only 20 mins from the dundrum centre or 20 pubs or whatever, and this is superior and how everyone should live, is baffling tbh. Id gladly move back to the sticks in the morning, as my work becomes more remote-oriented and kids come along in the future, its more a when than if. The 'lack' of schools, services, etc did me and my friends no harm, urban living and its associated problems are a bigger turnoff for me

HeidiHeidi

retalivity wrote: »

And for the people who ask why they live there, its their home!

This!

Bob_Marley

Screw everyone in Ireland who doesn't move to Dublin seems to be the new mantra.

Ajsoprano

Nobody is telling them they need to move to Dublin. They are threatening it.
If we don’t let them decide who drives their boat and how much we spend on it.

donegaLroad

I know that the return fare to Tory on the ferry is €26.

If the island gets 70,000 visitors during the season, approx March - October, then that would mean that the takings would be €1,820,000.

That figure is an approximation, but it must be taking in at least 1.5 million a year.

How much can the running costs be when you consider insurance, diesel, staff, maintenance?

It does provide a living for a number of people in an area where there is very little employment.

Ajsoprano

donegaLroad wrote: »

I know that the return fare to Tory on the ferry is €26.

If the island gets 70,000 visitors during the season, approx March - October, then that would mean that the takings would be €1,820,000.

That figure is an approximation, but it must be taking in at least 1.5 million a year.

How much can the running costs be when you consider insurance, diesel, staff, maintenance?

It does provide a living for a number of people in an area where there is very little employment.

Dublin bus travels x amount of people that generates x amount of money surely I should get brought to town on a unicorn.
Whilst a bit snarky that’s what I’m hearing from the islanders.

Bob_Marley

Ajsoprano wrote: »

Nobody is telling them they need to move to Dublin. They are threatening it.
If we don’t let them decide who drives their boat and how much we spend on it.

What's this "we" and "them" crap ?

donegaLroad

Ajsoprano wrote: »

Dublin bus travels x amount of people that generates x amount of money surely I should get brought to town on a unicorn.
Whilst a bit snarky that’s what I’m hearing from the islanders.

Its a good boat, but its no unicorn. The Aran Island ferry is a Rolls Royce by comparison.

Aran Island unicorn

Tory Island work-horse

Ajsoprano

donegaLroad wrote: »

Its a good boat, but its no unicorn. The Aran Island ferry is a Rolls Royce by comparison.

Aran Island unicorn

Tory Island work-horse

But the Aran islands is the Aran islands. I only heard about Tory island when they started banging on about a boat last year. One of its tourist attractions is a washed up torpedo and a stone that if you stand on it you can make a wish.

Is it about island rivalry or who gets to drive the boat?

Bob_Marley

Ajsoprano wrote: »

But the Aran islands is the Aran islands. I only heard about Tory island when they started banging on about a boat last year. One of its tourist attractions is a washed up torpedo and a stone that if you stand on it you can make a wish.

Is it about island rivalry or who gets to drive the boat?

sounds like more about hatred of anyone outside your preferred areas of Ireland

Ajsoprano

Bob_Marley wrote: »

sounds like more about hatred of anyone outside your preferred areas of Ireland

No hatred I just don’t want our politicians passing out boats to anyone that marches down to Leinster house. I have no other feelings or interest in the islanders up until now. Very few people do.
If there is any islander irelander rivalry it’s spinning around people’s heads on the island.
The little island beside Howth runs trips from the mainland and it’s a little dinghy. Should they get an Aran islands cruiser now too?

donegaLroad

Ajsoprano wrote: »

But the Aran islands is the Aran islands. I only heard about Tory island when they started banging on about a boat last year. One of its tourist attractions is a washed up torpedo and a stone that if you stand on it you can make a wish.

Is it about island rivalry or who gets to drive the boat?

you should take a trip over if you get a chance, there is more to see on Tory than people think.

Ajsoprano

It looks beautiful but still no cruiser. Is the hotel and the pub the only businesses on the island?