Tory Island, officially Toraigh, lies off the northwest coast of Donegal, far enough out that the crossing feels like a real departure. It is small, Irish-speaking, weather-beaten, and still inhabited. That last point matters: Tory is not an empty scenic island but a living community that fought hard in the 1970s to avoid evacuation.
The island's identity is unusually strong. Medieval monastic remains stand near the pier, including the Tau Cross and round tower. At the eastern end, Dun Bhaloir puts myth and cliff scenery in the same place: local tradition links the headland to Balor of the Evil Eye, while the Atlantic does the rest.
Tory also has a modern cultural story. Since the mid-20th century it has been associated with a community of painters, and for decades visitors were famously greeted by Patsy Dan Rodgers, the island's elected "King of Tory", until his death in 2018. The ferry is weather-dependent, the facilities are few, and that is part of the point. On a clear day, it is one of Donegal's best trips.