Historically called Inishfada (Irish: Inis Fada, meaning 'long island'), the island lies south of Schull, County Cork. It is easily reached via a short 5 minute ferry ride from Cork.  The island is named for being 4.8 km (3.0 miles) long and only 0.8 km (0.5 mi) wide, making it the third largest of Carbery's Hundred Isles. 

The island’s most distinctive landmark is the Copper Point lighthouse at its eastern end, named after a copper mine that was on the site in the Victorian era, marking the entrance to Schull Harbour.