Valentia Island
Native name: Dairbhre | |
|---|---|
Knightstown Town clock | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Dingle Bay |
| Coordinates | 51°54′N 10°21′W / 51.9°N 10.35°W |
| Area | 25.7 km2 (9.9 sq mi) |
| Length | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Width | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Kerry |
| Largest settlement | Knightstown (pop. 244) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 658 (2022) |
Valentia Island (Irish: Dairbhre, meaning 'oak isle') is one of Ireland's most westerly points. It lies in Dingle Bay off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of County Kerry. It is linked to the mainland by the Maurice O'Neill Memorial Bridge at Portmagee. A car ferry also departs from Reenard Point to Knightstown, the island's main settlement, from April to October. Another, smaller village named Chapeltown sits at roughly the midpoint of the island, three kilometres (two miles) from the bridge. Valentia Island's permanent population is 658 (as of the 2022 CSO Census). It is about 11 kilometres (7 miles) long by almost three kilometres (two miles) wide, making it the fifth-biggest island off the Irish coast.