Irish Islands Photo: Greg Fellmann/Shutterstock.com Ireland doesn't stop at its coastline or waterfront. In fact, the ends of the land are only the beginning of an adventure – the springboard from which you can cross the Atlantic Ocean to reach some of the country’s best-kept secrets. There’s nothing quite like standing on an Irish island, gazing out into the Atlantic blueness, feeling the sea breeze on your cheeks and soaking up its magical atmosphere. A visit to these outposts is bound to be an enlivening experience. travelamos/Shutterstock.com Top 5 shutterupeire/Shutterstock.com Ponderful Pictures/Shutterstock.com Updated 06 May 2019 Destination: Irish Islands Publishing date: 2019-05-06 THE ISLANDS NORTH WEST (DONEGAL) Iuliia Laitinen/Shutterstock.com alexilena/Shutterstock.com Prehistoric settlers, early Christian monks, Come to the islands of the North West to leave Vikings, pirates, famers and shermen have all the world behind. These timeless Gaeltacht put down roots on the Irish islands, building islands oer a glance of an old Ireland that has communities and settlements whose ruins stand all but disappeared. They feature dozens of sea out on the landscape. Though remote, these birds, towering clis, dramatic sea caves, places are more accessible than you may think. spectacular ocean views and a unique Some can be driven onto via bridge or tidal opportunity to step back in time. The country's causeway; many others are within a 20-minute most remote inhabited island, Tory Island, can be ferry journey. What they oer is a unique visitor found here, ruled by its own elected king. experience. You can wander through deserted villages, explore ancient monastic sites, admire Tory Island - Toraigh beautiful landscapes and spot passing whales or Toraigh, the most remote migratory birds. of all the inhabited Irish isles, is a Gaeltach island, Nowadays, the islands are dened by their ercely preserving its dierences more than their similarities. They all folklore, music and have unique dialects, traditions and wildlife. dance. It even has its own There are bird islands, adventure islands and king, appointed by the people. Many artists call open-air museums. There are islands for divers, this place their home, and visitors from all over artists and pilgrims. You can learn the Irish the world come here to discover the beautiful language on a Gaeltacht island, try your hand at culture and landscapes that inspire them. painting or basket making, or just explore the unspoilt nature. Photo: ianmitchinson/Shutterstock.com Address: Tory Island, Co. Donegal Phone: +353 871993710 Internet: www.toryferry.com Email: [email protected] Destination: Irish Islands Publishing date: 2019-05-06 Gola Island - Gabhla Inishfree - Inis Fraoigh Gabhla is a small island Inishfree (or Inis Fraoigh) separated from the is a small island 5km o mainland by only a the coast of Donegal. ten-minute journey. It Pristine nature and the was uninhabited until feeling of travelling to recently and it still past times await you retains a peaceful atmosphere. It mainly attracts here. Its few inhabitants like to organise hikers, rock climbers, birdwatchers and activities for visitors concerning music, art, photographers. crafts, poetry, angling, boating and more. Ferries depart from Bunbeg Harbour. During low Photo: Kwiatek7/Shutterstock.com Address: Inishfree, Co. Donegal season, booking is required. More Info: The ferry to Inishfree can be taken from Burtonport Harbour. Photo: Liam Moloney/Flickr.com (image cropped) Address: Gola Island, Co. Donegal Island Roy - Oileán Ruaidh Phone: +353 87 224 5881 Internet: www.golaferry.com Island Roy is a 90-acre island with few Arranmore - Árainn Mhór inhabitants, mostly Arranmore is the biggest farmers. Its Irish name, island with inhabitants in Oileán Ruaidh, means County Donegal. Most of "red island" and refers to its people speak Irish and the colour of the vegetation in winter. Curious many students come here fact: Island Roy is twinned with Mars. And while to learn this language. you might not visit the red planet in the near Outdoor and aquatic activities are popular here, future, getting to Island Royis not that hard, as such as birdwatching, rock climbing, diving, you can reach it by causeway road (unless there sailing, kayaking, but most of all angling, as the is high tide). sea and freshwater lakes here are rich in sh. If you want to see what authentic island life looks Photo: Ponderful Pictures/Shutterstock.com Address: Island Roy, Co. Donegal like, there is no better place than Arranmore. Photo: Patrick Mangan/Shutterstock.com Address: Arranmore, Co. Donegal Phone: +353 749542233 or +353 749520532 Internet: www.arranmoreferry.com Email: [email protected] Destination: Irish Islands Publishing date: 2019-05-06 SOUTH WEST (CORK) Address: Sherkin Island, Co. Cork Phone: +353 0879117377 Internet: www.sherkinisland.eu Email: [email protected] Spike Island Spike Island is located in lower Cork Harbour. On its 104 acres of surface, it used to host a monastery Madrugada Verde/Shutterstock.com and a prison. Last but not least is its star-shaped The relentless battering of the Atlantic Ocean military fortress, called Fort Michel and dating over thousands of years has left splinters of back to the 18th century, which dominates the islands along Cork’s South West coast, which only entrance to the harbour. have nurtured resilient Gaeltacht cultures and rich ecosystems. Reaching the islands can be an The island is a very popular tourist destination adventure in itself: you can spot seals on the and can be reached by ferry from Cobh. journey to Garinish Island, enjoy the views from the ferry as you go to Cape Clear, or take a Photo: Riekelt Hakvoort/Shutterstock.com swinging ride on the cable car across Dursey Address: Spike Island, Co. Cork Phone: +353 021 237 3455 Sound. Internet: www.spikeislandcork.ie Email: [email protected] Sherkin Island Though small – it only Inish Beg measures 5 km by 3 km – Inish Beg is a private Skerkin Island is a lively island in beautiful West place, especially during Cork, connected to the summer, as its sandy mainland by road bridge. beaches are ideal for The island features three swimming and sunbathing. Near the pier, you farms, one of which is the can admire an old Franciscan Abbey and a castle Inish Beg Estate, whose gardens have been that used to be the home of the O'Driscoll clan. declared some of the best in Ireland and are Every year, the 3rd weekend of July, the open to the public all year round. Other Sherking Regatta takes place along with a local highlights of the island are its trails and fair. woodlands and the many opportunities for aquatic activities, such as sea kayaking and The island can be reached by ferry from the scuba diving. small shing village of Baltimore and the journey only takes 10 minutes. Photo: mikemike10/Shutterstock.com Address: Inish Beg, Co. Cork Photo: spectrumblue/Shutterstock.com Phone: +353 2821745 Destination: Irish Islands Publishing date: 2019-05-06 Internet: www.inishbeg.com Cape Clear - Oileán Chléire Email: [email protected] Cape Clear is Ireland's most southerly island and Bere Island a Gaeltacht place. Here Bere Island, situated you'll nd a Heritage between Bantry Bay and Centre, a picturesque Berehaven Harbour, harbour, some walking oers beautiful views of trails, a bird observatory and many opportunities the Beara Peninsula, in for aquatic activities. During summer, you can particular of the Slieve also go on a tour to Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, Miskish and Caha Mountain ranges. Here you known as "Ireland's Teardrop" as it was the last can discover the island's history at the Heritage thing migrants saw when leaving for America. Centre, take part in a parkrun hosted every Saturday, or just follow the island's trails, The ferries to Cape Clear departs from Baltimore passing by old archaeological and military sites. and Schull and take around 40 minutes to reach the destination. During the journey, you might Bere Island lies only 2 km away from the spot dolphins, whales and sharks. mainland and can be reached by ferry. For more information, visit the website below. Photo: PJ photography/Shutterstock.com Address: Cape Clear, Co. Cork Photo: Timaldo/Shutterstock.com Phone: +353 28 39159 Address: Bere Island, Co. Cork Internet: www.capeclearferries.com Phone: +353 027 75099 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.bereisland.net Email: [email protected] Garinish Island - Ilnacullin Garinish Island is known Dursey Island for its beautiful gardens Reaching Dursey Island is that host exotic species already an adventure, as and attract plant lovers you can only access it by from all over the world. using Ireland's only cable They were designed at car, which runs about 250 the beginning of the 20th century by Harold Peto metres above the sea. for Annan and Violet Bryce, the former owners Once you make the journey, you won't nd any of the island. The gardens also feature some shops, bars or restaurants, but only pristine buildings, namely a Grecian Temple, a Martello nature, a few ruins, much wildlife and beautiful Tower, a clock tower and an Italian tea House views of the Beara Peninsula. Photo: Captblack76/Shutterstock.com Ferries depart from Glengarrif Harbour and Address: Dursey Island, Co. Cork during the journey you'll be able to spot the seal Internet: www.durseyisland.ie colony on Seal Island. Email: [email protected] Photo: Carmen Cris/Shutterstock.com Destination: Irish Islands Publishing date: 2019-05-06 Address: Garinish Island, Co. Cork Whiddy Island Phone: +353 27 63116 Whiddy Island, in the Internet: www.harbourqueenferry.com heart of Bantry Bay, has a Email: [email protected] More Info: Opening hours vary according to the season.