Holiday home on Cruit Island, Kincasslagh, County Donegal, Ireland.

 " An Sciobol "  -  Cruit Island and Area

Cruit is an island in the area of Donegal called "The Rosses". The name "Cruit" (pronounced "Critch") is derived from the Irish "An Chruit" meaning ‘the hump or little hillock’ although it is also the old Irish word for the harp.

About 3 miles in length and 1 mile at it widest point, Cruit lies roughly north-south along the Donegal coast and is connected to the mainland by a bridge so that you can literally "drive across the Atlantic". Cruit, moreover, is a tidal island so that when the tide is out twice a day you can walk across a golden stretch of sand ("Cruit Strand") to the mainland. This rising and falling of the tide adds considerable interest as the views of the  bay between Cruit and the mainland change continuously.

A road runs the length of the island from the bridge at the south to the north end with a few branch roads leading to the houses on the island. A pier lies on the more sheltered east side providing moorings for a cluster of small boats during the summer months.

One of several islands in the Rosses, Cruit still has a small resident population which is added to by visitors keen to enjoy the beautiful beaches and wonderful walks which abound. It also has an excellent 9-hole golf course which makes every use of the natural contours of the coast to provide both a test of golf skills and spectacular views at every turn.

Cruit is also an excellent area for sea fishing with Pollack and Mackerel often plentiful, while for the nature-lover there are many beautiful wildflowers at every season and a variety of birds for the enthusiast. The terrain is excellent for walking incorporating beaches, rocky cliffs, dunes and moorland so that in every direction there is something to suit all tastes and abilities.

Be sure to sample the scenery by clicking on the hsymbols on the map above.
 

"The Rosses", from the Irish "Ros"  meaning "a headland", merits its name as it indeed comprises a heavily indented coastline with many headlands and bays.

The area stretches from the Gweebarra river in the south to the Gweedore river in the north. To the east lie the Derryveagh mountains while the Atlantic ocean bounds it to the west.

It is an area of  rugged moorland with intrusions of granite rock and containing innumerable lakes of varying sizes. Its coastline has numerous promontories and inlets with many exquisite sandy beaches while off-shore are a number of islands including Arranmore, Inishfree, Owey as well as Cruit.

Within the Rosses are several Gaeltachts, designated areas of Ireland where Gaelic is still the primary language and Irish traditions and culture form part of everyday life.

The Rosses is divided into areas (or townlands) normally surrounding a small town or village of the same name, such as Dungloe, Kincasslagh, Doochary, Lettermacaward, Loughanure  and Annagary.

Dungloe is the largest town and has a number of supermarkets as well as various other shops. There are also several of the Irish banks represented here. It is also the setting for the annual "Mary from Dungloe" festival which is held at the end of July and beginning of August while most of the other areas have their own events at various times in the summer.
 

Here are just a few of the many activities which may be enjoyed within Cruit, the Rosses and across Donegal.