Beatle's isle to become tourist attraction

A Co Mayo couple hope to cash in on the popularity of the Beatles by operating ferry trips past Dorinish - once owned by the …

A Co Mayo couple hope to cash in on the popularity of the Beatles by operating ferry trips past Dorinish - once owned by the late John Lennon - and other smaller islands in Clew Bay later in the summer.

Despite their admiration for the former Liverpool chart-toppers, Tom and Siobhan King resisted the temptation to call their 50-foot pleasure craft Yellow Submarine, opting instead for the more traditional Spirit of St Patrick.

"We're very excited about the project," Mr King explained. "When we reach Dorinish we plan to cut the engine and play Imagine for our passengers over the speakers. It should make for a magical and unforgettable experience."

The Kings expect to take delivery of their £200,000 craft later this month. The boat, which will operate a number of times daily on the tide from Westport Quay, will be licensed to carry 50 people. It is envisaged that each trip will cost £6 and will last about 80 minutes.

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Mr King does not plan to land on Dorinish, Inisgort or the other islands on the tour route out of respect for the islands' fragile ecosystems.

Nineteen-acre Dorinish was uninhabited when John Lennon bought it for £1,700 in 1967. The late Beatle planned to build a retreat there but this didn't happen.

A group of New Age Travellers, The Diggers, set up a commune there. After the death of her husband, Yoko Ono put the island up for sale.

Dorinish was eventually bought by a local farmer who now uses the land to graze sheep and cattle.