The island was sold by Yoko Ono four years after Lennon's death, and the proceeds were donated to an Irish orphanage.Īlmost thirty years on, this magical place still known locally as "Beatle Island" is looking for a new owner, with a dream. Those first sketches that John himself had drawn to build a house on the island, and for which he had also obtained planning permission, is what's left of a plan that was never going to happen. While the project was still taking shape, he lent the island to the journails and peace activist Sid Rawle, also known by many as "the king of the hippies".
Lennon had visited the island with Michael Browne, a local who only took him once to Dorinish and who recounts that John was constantly panning a cine-camera to get a panoramic of the bay for his project. It was so beautiful, so tranquil, yet so isolated, it seemed a perfect place to get away from it all”. Yoko Ono, after John's death, said: "We often discussed the idea of building a cottage there. That island was the perfect place to unleash imagination, reflect and live a simple life. The silence of Clew Bay, the sound of the waves and the incredible green of all those islands around, were for him the answer to his desire of making his ideals of hope, peace and love - those same ideals that defined what most positive there was in his generation - come true. A truly rare opportunity to purchase your own private island in Clew Bay off the west coast of Ireland.In 1967, for the sum of £1,700, John made one of the 117 islands his own. Clew Bay (in Irish: Cuan Mó), overlooked by Croagh Patrick to the south and the Nephin Range mountains of North Mayo, is the most spectacular bay in Ireland. Visit Hotel Newport and discover the natural ocean bay of Clew Bay that contains Irelands best example of sunken drumlins and one of natures greatest. The beautiful and spectacularly located Dorinish. Clare Island, the biggest island, guards the entrance of the bay. The bay has 365 islands, one for every day of the year 117 of them are Ireland's best example of drumlins of limestone, which come up in all shapes: ovals, lozenges, snakes, dragons, arrowheads or long-legged beasties. John Lennon owned and stayed on Dorinish Island, a remote island in Clew Bay, which he planned.
The tiny island in Irelands Clew Bay has had a storied history, including a brief spell as a hippie commune when owned by the late Beatles musician John. John Lennon owned and stayed on Dorinish Island, a remote island in Clew Bay, which he planned to turn into a hideaway retreat. About this little island Yoko Ono said: 'a place where we thought we could escape the pressures and spend some undisturbed time together. About this little island Yoko Ono said: "a place where we thought we could escape the pressures and spend some undisturbed time together”. Dorinish Island is one of the most westerly islands and islets scattered across Clew Bay, the large ocean bay on the western side of Mayo and overlooked by. This wonderful book is a must for travelers to Ireland. The most amazing view of Clew Bay is from the climbing path of Ireland's famous ‘Holy Mountain' Croagh Patrick, also known as “The Reek”. Birders especially will find it informative The authors knowledge of the area is impressive.
On the bay pittoresque villages are nestled: Louisburgh, Murrisk and Mulranny, gateway to Achill Island. The vibrant town of Westport, designated one of Bord Failte's Heritage Towns, is situated in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay.Ĭlew Bay was the focus of the O’Malley family possession in the Middle Ages. On the bay’s shore Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen, had her principal stronghold: Rockfleet Castle. Her fleet of ships sailed across the bay displaying the flag with the Motto of the O’Malley Clan: “Terra Marique Putens”, “ Valiant by sea and land”. Johns grandparents were both born in Dublin, Ireland: John (Jack) Lennon and Mary Anne. According to legend, the ancient name for West Mayo ‘Umhall’ is related to the islands of Clew Bay. John Lennon actually purchased an island, Dorinish, in Clew Bay. This name could come from the translation of the Irish word for apples, ubhall or ull.