Entry Island

The Magdalen Islands, with Entry Island 'Île-d’Entrée' at the bottom right
Entry Island
A typical Island scene

Entry Island (Île-d’Entrée in French) is an island off the east coast of the Magdalen Islands, which are part of the Canadian Province of Quebec. The island is 2 km wide and 3 km long. The island is located 12 km from the main port of Cap-aux-Meules of the Magdalen Islands. Entry Island is only accessible by ocean or air. The island is also home to an English-speaking community.

Fishing is the main industry of the island with the lobster fishery being the most important, but some fishermen also harvest crab, scallops, whelk, mackerel, tuna and herring.

Visible as the first island when travelling by ferry from the Magdalen Islands, Entry Island can be identified by its lavishly tinted cliffs. Beautiful, unspoiled rolling green hills are one of the main attractions of Entry Island. At 174 meters (571 feet) above sea level, Big Hill is the highest elevation on the island, and is also the highest point of land in the archipelago. Fewer than 130 residents of Scottish and English origin inhabit this unique island. The island has two stores, a restaurant, an Anglican church, school, CLSC, museum, and post office; a Bed and Breakfast operates during the tourist season.

In July 2010 a small military exercise called Exercise "SABRE" took place on the island, lasting 18 days.

Entry Island School

The present Entry Island School was constructed in 1963. It has three classrooms, a library, office, kitchen and auditorium. In 2007 the school had 18 students enrolled, 7 girls and 11 boys. As of 2013, the school's size had reduced to 2 students.[1] Students begin school in pre-kindergarten and go to Secondary II (Grade 10). They can complete their studies at an English high school in Grosse-Île, Bonaventure or Gaspé.[2]

Transport

A ferry comes to Entry twice a day from May 1 to December 31. The island has an airplane service from January 1 until April 30. When visitors come to Entry Island, after an hour boat ride, they see more four-wheelers or snowmobiles (depending on the season) in the parking lot than cars.

Crossings to Entry Island vary from season to season. From May until the end of December there is a regular local ferry service that transports passengers, mail and freight. In winter a small plane assumes this service, weather permitting. Sometimes in the winter an ice bridge forms from Entry Island to Amherst Island. This winter bridge is used frequently by islanders travelling on snowmobiles, horses and even automobiles as well as on foot (for the intrepid) according to winter conditions.[3]

Three English communities exist on the Magdalen Islands; Grosse-Île, Old Harry and Entry Island. Entry Island is the only totally secluded community as the others (English and French) are all connected by sand dunes and a highway, Route 199.

In fiction

Scottish author Peter May's 2013 book Entry Island is a detective novel mostly set on the island.[4] Quebec author Jean Lemieux's 2009 book "La lune rouge" (published in French only) is a psychological novel set on the island. The beginning of the science-fiction novel L'odysée du Pénélope (Aurora Award 1998) by Jean-Pierre Guillet, takes place on the island.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Polak, Monique (2013-11-22). "Magdalens anglo community at a crossroads". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Eastern Shores School Board
  3. ↑ C.A.M.I.'s Historical Heritage Complex
  4. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/entry-island-by-peter-may--book-review-new-detective-investigates-ageold-injustices-9054382.html

External links

Coordinates: 47°16′37″N 61°42′00″W / 47.277°N 61.700°W / 47.277; -61.700

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