Cargo Ship Lives High Up the Beach of Inis Oirr

The Plassey is a cargo vessel that came aground in 1960 on the Carraig na Finnise reef off the east cost of Inis Oirr, the smallest and most easterly of the Aran Islands, Co. Galway.

All hands were rescued by the islanders in difficult conditions by firing grapnels to the ship and roping the crew to shore. The ship was since driven ashore onto the island proper, and has been moved higher up the beach by subsequent violent storms.

It sits well above the high tide mark, which speaks volumes of the power of the storms necessary to shift it. It's remarkable after the battering it's had over the years that the ship is still intact and upright.

From my conversations with the islanders, they believe that the next big sea to hit it (the last was sometime in the mid-90s) will destroy it, as it's in an advanced state of decay now. This will be a shame, as right now it's a big tourist draw for the island. I was told by one man, tongue in cheek, that they're looking for a replacement. This image was made on a rather beautiful dawn, looking south towards the lighthouse.

(You can buy a print of this photograph at: https://buff.ly/2FuMfCZ)