Darragh Island Day

 

There was a good gang of us today. Regular National Trust staff were augmented by a working party, swelling our numbers to eighteen.

We assembled at Whiterock and Hugh shuttled us over in the little boat to Darragh Island.

Darragh Island, a NT property on Strangford Lough, lies east of Killinchy. Its shape reminds me of a lobster.

We passed Conly Island on the way, a heavily wooded isle with a holiday cottage in a secluded location overlooking Darragh.

Our main task today was to round up a small herd of wild goats, in order that their hooves could be trimmed. They numbered four.

We also dug out two ponds for the benefit of grazing cattle, which shall be introduced to the island shortly, thus negating the necessity for the goats.

Darragh Island has few features, though there is a small kelp kiln, ruinous, and a kelp store (seen in the picture), partly used for other purposes nowadays. It is believed that there are the remains of a dwelling at the northern end of the isle.

I devoured a round of fresh egg salad sandwiches today.