Eng/Nat A rare and beautiful island paradise, up for sale in County Galway, Ireland, is attracting worldwide interest. Several rock stars, including the Rolling Stones, Bono from U2 and even Bob Hope have all visited the island and have expressed interest in buying it. While the locals want their area protected from the outside world, they're also keen to have a celebrity neighbour. Lough Corrib in County Galway is regarded as one of Ireland's most scenic lakes. It's the country's second largest lake and contains more than 300 islands, many of which are untouched by civilization. The jewel of the lake is the 22 acre island of Inishanboe. It and six neighbouring islands are owned by American millionaire Herbert Lewis, who purchased the land in 1982 for about $300,000 (three-hundred-thousand US dollars). A modernised seven bedroom Victorian stone built house stands on the foreshore of Inishanboe, surrounded by a guest house, staff cottages, gardens, paddocks and woodland. The self-sufficient island, including a marina and fleet of boats, is now up for sale for just $2.25 (m) million (two and a quarter million US dollars). It even comes with its own Irish legend. It's said that a woman was left starving on the island while her husband was away fighting the kings of Galway. She and her child were saved when a golden white cow rose out of the lough and proceeded to suckle them. Hence the island's name, Inishanboe, meaning island of the cow. Lough Corrib is a Mecca for game anglers in search of salmon and trout. Anglers the world over decend on the nearby village of Oughterard every spring and summer. The pace of life here is typically Irish, slow and thoughtful. The locals rely heavily on the tourist draw of the lough but they're wary of outsiders moving into their area. The sale of Inishanboe is stimulating lively debate. SOUNDBITE: "I'd like to buy it myself if I had the money." SUPER CAPTION: Tom Mallon, boatbuilder SOUNDBITE: "Oh they're lovely islands, oh they are. There are supposed to be 365 islands in the lough, big and small. Some of the are small, maybe only the size of a good rock." SUPER CAPTION: Tom Joyce: former farmer SOUNDBITE: "I'd like to see Bob Hope or one his associates buy it. Or there's another man who comes down here, Pat Hughes, the Rolling Stones, they were interested. I know they were interested, I know Bob Hope was interested. There are a lot of other people interested. This U2 man, Bono, he's alleged to be interested." SUPER CAPTION: Tom Mallon, boatbuilder. The present owner of Inishanboe rarely comes ashore to the village and then it's only to buy a few supplies. The locals expect the new owner will continue that tradition. You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/755e7cac0e38189c1a45f9a7bc68af61 Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

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