The population of Ireland's 66 inhabited offshore islands fell slightly to 9,280 last year. Numbers on Achill, the most populous island, have fallen by 84 since 1991, to 2,718. Other islands with falling populations are Dursey, Co Cork (down 11 to nine); Inishmaan, Co Galway (down 25 to 191); and Beginish, Co Kerry, which lost three of its five inhabitants, leaving only two men on the island.
Four islands have a population of just one. Inishmore or Deer island, Co Clare, and Garnish Island, Co Cork, each have one female inhabitant. Illaunmore and Inishbarra, both Co Galway, are each home to a solitary male.
Since the last census was carried out, a number of islands have become uninhabited. Inisheltia, Co Galway, population three in 1991, has been left for the birds, as have Dinish, the Great Blasket (where four people were enumerated during the 1991 census), Co Kerry, as well as Collan More, Co Mayo.
No one lives on Tuskar Rock off Co Wexford now that the lighthouses have been automated, and the Great Saltee island is empty.
But some islands showed modest increases in population, including Cape Clear and Sherkin islands in Co Cork; Inishbofin, Inisheer, Inishmore and Lettermullan in Co Galway; and Inishturk in Co Mayo.
In Co Donegal the population of Tory island has jumped by 50 to 169, and Inishbofin has grown from three in 1991 to 24 last year.
One of the biggest population increases was recorded on Ballycottin Island, Co Cork, which saw its population increase from four to 27, all male. The increase is thought to be linked to the nearby gas field, which might explain why all 27 inhabitants are male.
