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Rotten Island, Ireland
Not so rotten
On a clear day, this rough-hewn Irish harbour islet is quite a pleasant place, contrary to its unsavoury label. Rotten Island's name isn't meant to be descriptive, though – is an anglicised version of the name Naomh Rotain, a hermit who's said to have made his home here. His stay is probably a legend, but once the Rotten Island Lighthouse was built in 1838, up to 11 people lived here at a time to tend it. Over time, advancing technology meant fewer and fewer keepers were needed and, by 1959, keeping the beacon lit only required an occasional visit. Today, the island is uninhabited and the lighthouse fully automated, a frequent sight on the many cruises that dock in nearby Donegal.
Not so rotten
On a clear day, this rough-hewn Irish harbour islet is quite a pleasant place, contrary to its unsavoury label. Rotten Island's name isn't meant to be descriptive, though – is an anglicised version of the name Naomh Rotain, a hermit who's said to have made his home here. His stay is probably a legend, but once the Rotten Island Lighthouse was built in 1838, up to 11 people lived here at a time to tend it. Over time, advancing technology meant fewer and fewer keepers were needed and, by 1959, keeping the beacon lit only required an occasional visit. Today, the island is uninhabited and the lighthouse fully automated, a frequent sight on the many cruises that dock in nearby Donegal.
Also called An tOileán Bréan (Bad Island) in Irish, Rotten Island just can't catch a break naming-wise.
© Lukassek / Shutterstock 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :