There are few places as beautiful as Ireland’s islands on sunny days.
Islands are captivating even on rainy days. Roughness intensifies. They spark tales and discoveries. Ireland has hundreds of islands, each with its own attractions. You can experience another world on these nine islands, from pirate queens and one-eyed warrior kings to wild wallabies and a tropical lagoon in Irish waters.
Achill Island, County Mayo
The Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin used Achill and Inis Mór to create Inisherin the fictional island. It’s easy to see why Martin McDonagh wanted to show Ireland’s western islands’ beauty on screen, and the island became another protagonist. The scenery is stunning, with sea cliffs, mountains, bays, and secret beaches.
But the island’s beauty isn’t enough. Canoeing, hiking, cycling, and rock climbing are available. Surfing on the wind-blasted Dooagh Strand and swimming at the island’s many Blue Flag beaches are also popular. Stop at the Beehive for lunch after swimming in Keem Bay, a white-sand beach that sometimes attracts basking sharks. Learn about the island’s history on guided tours like the Colony Tour or the Deserted Village Tour or hike the Cliffs of Croaghaun.
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Tory Island, County Donegal
Most remote Irish island is Tory. Due to its 150-person population, one hotel, and a few B&Bs, city life will fade away quickly, leaving a feeling of bygone days. First spoken Irish, English is also spoken in Donegal’s Gaeltacht.
Divers and swimmers love Tory. In 1884, the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Wasp was en route to evict poor tenant families. Go for a swim in the harbor or dive with Mevagh Dive Centre to explore its wreck. Clach na Mallacht, the island’s Neolithic cursing stone, is said to have steered the ship off course and to its doom.
Balor, the one-eyed leader of the Fomorians, rules Tory Island, rich in folklore. Fort Dún Balor ruins on the east coast of the island offer views of the Atlantic Ocean. This is where Balor imprisoned his daughter to prevent her from getting pregnant: An Eochair Mhór (the big key), a long spur that juts out from a peninsula to form An Tor Mór (the big rock). A longstanding tradition of choosing a king to represent the locals ended in October 2018 when the last King of Tory died.
Inis Meáin, County Galway
Out of the three Aran Islands, Inis Meáin has the fewest residents at 200. Get back to nature and experience Irish culture in this predominantly Irish-speaking community. Enjoy beach swims, diving, ancient ruins, and traditional music at the Teach Ósta pub on the least visited Aran Island.
Small island, so you can walk around, stopping to admire wildflowers or swim by the old port. Rental bikes are a good way to explore the island. Located near the prehistoric Dún Chonchúir stone fort, JM Synge’s holiday cottage inspired The Playboy of the Western World. Visit the 300-year-old Teach Synge cottage library and museum. Because it overlooks the island’s “puffing holes,” where sea water rushes in through natural channels in the cliffs to create a spray, Synge’s chair was a favorite writing spot.
In the Mary Immaculate Church, you can see Harry Clarke’s stained glass windows or buy an Aran sweater from Inis Meain Knitwear.
