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10 amazing islands on the Wild Atlantic Way
The islands dotted along the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way route offer much to marvel at, no matter what time of year you visit. Think cliff-edge forts towering over the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, lively cafés in pretty thatched cottages, and some of the friendliest locals around. The islands off the Wild Atlantic Way offer something special – the chance to get away from it all, to connect with traditions, to hear soul-stirring traditional music and eat super-fresh seafood on the beach. Here are 10 to try.
Arranmore Island, County Donegal © Gareth Wray Photography
1. Arranmore (Árainn Mhór), County Donegal
The largest inhabited island off Donegal’s spectacular coastline offers as tranquil or active a time as you wish. While walking or hiking around, look out for signs of Arranmore’s history, such as the promontory fort at Uilinn, which dates back to 800BC. Head to Arranmore Lighthouse for spectacular panoramic cliff views, and Early’s Bar for toe-tapping music. The adventurous can go angling, kayaking, wreck diving or take off on a sea safari, but if you want to take it easy this island offers relaxed rambles, too, with natural gems from sea stacks to caves. Access is via a 15-minute ferry from Burtonport.
Knocknarea Mountain from Coney Island, County Sligo
2. Coney Island, County Sligo
A great place to find headspace is Coney Island (named due to the plentiful rabbits living there) in County Sligo. Head off here on a cobwebs-busting day trip and you’ll see it’s an unspoiled, low-key place, with long beaches, rolling fields and a road that’s great for walking. Coney Island can be accessed by boat from Rosses Point Pier or on a signposted walk across Cummeen Strand at low tide. But always be sure to note the tide times for the way back.
Clare Island Lighhouse, County Mayo © Christian McLeod
3. Clare Island, County Mayo
You won’t be short of an island or two in County Mayo – after all, Clew Bay is said to have 365 of them! One of the most popular of those is Clare Island, once home to the fierce 16th century pirate queen Grace O’Malley or Granuaile in Irish. Her castle can still be seen above the harbour, and it’s just one of the great historical sites in this wild and scenic place. There’s also a 12th century Cistercian abbey, the remains of a Napoleonic signal tower, over 50 “fulacht fiadh” (ancient cooking sites) and a Megalithic court tomb. After all that history, you can relax with dinner right beside the beach at the Anchor Bar & Bistro.
Kite-surfing on Achill Island, County Mayo
4. Achill Island, County Mayo
The largest of Ireland’s islands and accessible by landbridge, Achill boasts windswept green hills that tumble down to some of the most scenic beaches in all of Ireland – it was also a filming location for The Banshees of Inisherin. Achill is a place of fast-changing skies with landscapes that go from mist-shrouded to sun-soaked in seconds. History fans can take a guided tour of the deserted village on the slopes of Slievemore Mountain while food buffs should head straight for Achill Island SeaSalt Visitor Centre. For a night out, Lynott’s thatched, tiny pub in Cashel is the place to go, followed by a reviving local seaweed bath the following day.
Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway © Chris Hill Photographic
5. Aran Islands, County Galway
They’re famous for cream-coloured cable-knit sweaters (the Aran), a landscape criss-crossed by dry-stone walls, and clear waters fringed by white sandy beaches. These are the Aran Islands, comprised of Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr. Inis Oírr is the smallest and is home to a freshwater lake (Loch Mór), a lighthouse and the Plassey shipwreck. On Inis Meáin you’ll find the ancient Dún Crocbhur (Conor’s Fort) and Dun Fearbhaí (Ferboy’s Fort) and Teach Synge, a museum dedicated to the writer JM Synge. Meanwhile, film buffs can seek out the Inis Mór locations featured in The Banshees of Inisherin, but don’t miss the awe-inspiring Dún Aonghasa, which oversees the Atlantic, or the natural Poll na bPéist pool. Daily ferries for foot passengers leave from Galway city, Rossaveel and Doolin in County Clare, or you can fly from Connemara Regional Airport.
Scattery Island, County Clare © Erik Zanke
6. Scattery Island, County Clare
While visiting the Shannon Estuary, bring a packed lunch for a day trip to the uninhabited Scattery Island. This hidden gem in County Clare has lots of heritage features, such as a cathedral, round tower, lighthouse and Napoleonic war artillery battery. There are guided walking tours where you can learn about its history while enjoying the wild birds and flora that the island offers. It’s a 20-minute ferry trip between May and September from Kilrush Marina to Scattery.
Blasket Islands, County Kerry
7. Great Blasket Island, County Kerry
A visit to the Great Blasket Island is an experience that stays with people for a long time. Deserted in 1953 when the last of its inhabitants left for the mainland, the island feels stuck in time with its tumbledown cottages wedged into the side of steep green hills that cascade down to white sandy beaches. Sitting here, staring back at the hazy green hues of the Dingle Peninsula, it’s hard not to imagine what life must have been like for the islanders who called this place home. Today, the island is inhabited but it has become a magnet for grey seals with one of the largest populations in Ireland. Day trips from both Dingle and Dunquin are available, or there are basic cottages to rent for those who want to stay longer.
Valentia Island, County Kerry
8. Valentia Island, County Kerry
There aren’t many places to see 385-million-year-old footprints, but in the north-east corner of Valentia in County Kerry you can find tetrapod prints made when the island was part of North America. With a population of over 650 people, Valentia is a great place to spend a few days. Take a tour of its lighthouse (open seven days a week, April to October), learn how to send Morse code at its transatlantic cable station (April to October, Wednesday to Sunday), or take a dip at Glanleam Beach. The island is accessible via landbridge, or ferry from Renard Point, Cahersiveen (April to October).
Bere Island, County Cork
9. Bere Island, County Cork
Bere Island is always worth a visit when in the stunning Beara Peninsula in West Cork. Witness its military history along the Rerrin looped walk, where you’ll encounter Martello towers, a signal tower and Lonehort Battery. It’s also home to the three-metre tall Gallán standing stone, Ardaragh wedge tomb, and St Michael’s Holy Well, and watch out too for the dolphins and whales which make their home in the deep waters of Bantry Bay. A ferry from Castletownbere or Pontoon Pier will get you to this lovely spot.
Ferry to Cape Clear Island, County Cork
10. Cape Clear Island, County Cork
This Gaeltacht island off the Cork coast is perfect if you want to be kept busy. It’s steeped in heritage, with a passage tomb and two unusual standing stones to visit – romantics should take note that one of these stones is known as a marriage stone. Birdwatchers can pop into Cape Clear Bird Observatory, while sporty types can kayak or snorkel in its crystal-clear waters. Take a beach dip, wander a walking trail, or hop on an electric bus for an island tour. Make sure to look out for Dún an Óir Castle, dramatically located on the coast. Take the year-round ferry from Baltimore or the summer ferry service from Schull to reach Cape Clear.
