The terms within/without refer to the walled protection that surrounded parts of the island from attackers from the landward side.

The island is accessible by foot along the sandbar at most times, and by car at low tide, by driving on the beach.

Many old ruins exist on the island, including a castle, two churches and a graveyard.

Enclosing Barrow Harbour from Tralee Bay, to protect Barrow Harbour from seaborne attackers, an iron or steel chain (also known as boom) was stretched across the neck of water, between the mainland and the island near the castle.

This article related to the geography of County Kerry, Ireland is a stub.