The island is approximately 5 km (3 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. The 2002 census recorded a population of 133. The population is divided among four towns — An Baile Thoir(East Town), An Baile Thiar (West Town), An Lár (Middletown) and Úrbaile (Newtown). In August 2010, the King of Tory confirmed that there were 96 people living on the island.
In the apocryphal history of Ireland, Lebor Gabála Érenn, Tory Island was the site of Conand's Tower, the stronghold of the Fomorians, before they were defeated by the Nemedians in a great battle on the island. The later Fomorian king Balor of the evil eye also lived here. Balor would imprison Ethlinn in a tower built atop Tor Mór (or Túr Mór in Old Irish, meaning The High Tower). Tor Mór is the island's highest point.
A monastery was founded on Tory in the 6th century by Colmcille. The monastery dominated life on the island until 1595, when it was plundered and destroyed by English troops, waging a war of suppression against local chieftains. The monastery's bell tower is the largest structure to survive and was built in the 6th or 7th century.
The Battle of Tory Island, the last action in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, took place at sea nearby.
Since the 1950s, the island has been home to a small community of artists, and has its own art gallery. The English artist Derek Hill was associated with the Tory artist community.
Reflecting a long-standing tradition, a "king" is chosen by consensus of the islanders. This is a unique tradition that no longer exists anywhere else in Ireland. The current Rí Thoraí (Irish for "King of Tory") is painter Patsy Dan Rodgers (Patsaí Dan Mac Ruaidhrí). The king has no formal powers, though duties include being a spokesperson for the island community and welcoming people to the island.
Power is generated on the island today from three diesel electricity generators. These have a total capacity of 4 MW and burn through approximately 500 litres of fuel every day.
Public attention was focused on the island in 2009, when a one-time resident was awarded a payout following a court case after his house was demolished and the grounds used as a car park.
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