Author Description

Tory Island is home to the world's poorest king. His kingdom is a rock in the Atlantic, nine miles north of the Irish coast, peopled by 130 Irish-speaking inhabitants. As soon as a ferry arrives, the king goes to the harbour to greet the new arrivals. Everything that the Islanders need in order to survive is brought by boat. Ireland's efforts to attract the Tory Islanders to the mainland have been in vain. Thanks to EU grant-aid, the standard of living has improved, the island now has electricity and running water, a helicopter landing pad, a hotel and two shops.Tory is a unique microcosm. With this work Magnum photographer Martine Franck shows that, given some external aid, an isolated but close-knit community can survive and safeguard its roots, even amid the vast expanse of Europe.