Great question. Ireland is surrounded by islands, especially on the west coast where you can find everything from lively spots connected by landbridge to remote deserted outposts. Summer is a great time of year to island-hop, as the generally mild weather means ferry crossings are less likely to be disrupted by bad conditions.
The first of our recommended hops is over to
Achill Island in
County Mayo, Ireland’s largest offshore island. Connected to the mainland by the
Michael Davitt Bridge, Achill is popular for its scenic Blue Flag beaches such as Keem Bay and Dugort Beach, amazing rugged landscapes, great walking routes and laid-back vibes. It’s also been a star of the screen lately as it featured as one of the main filming locations for
The Banshees of Inisherin. One of the best ways to get the full Achill Island experience is to hire a bike from
Achill Bikes and cycle around the island or towards the mainland along the
Great Western Greenway. Also accessible by a bridge is Valentia Island in
County Kerry. This staggeringly beautiful spot is full of surprising discoveries such as the Tetrapod Trackway – prehistoric footprints of a primitive vertebrate that date back over 350 million years; a 19th century lighthouse which stands tall at Cromwell Point within a 17th century artillery fort; and the subtropical gardens of
Glanleam House. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of the
Wild Atlantic Way and other islands including the
Great Blasket Islands and the
Skellig Islands. Tory Island is a 12km
ferry trip from the North coast of
Donegal. On the most remote of Ireland’s inhabited islands, there’s a chance to see some rare seabird species, including the cork crake and some colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds. Local traditions and culture such as music, dance, storytelling and language have been well maintained on Tory island too, and the island accommodates artists' communities and many festivities, so there’s plenty to see and do.
Rathlin Island in
County Antrim can be visited by ferry from Ballycastle Harbour across the Sea of Moyle. It’s a small island with a sizeable population, but the number of birds here definitely surpasses the number of people. The Rathlin Island nature reserve has a fantastic viewpoint where in summer you are likely to see seabirds such as fulmars, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. There are good walks here too – the Rathlin Trail takes you from the harbour to the west lighthouse and seabird viewpoint, or hire a bike from the
Soerneog View Bike Rentals.Fancy another nature-based adventure? Hop over to the uninhabited Copeland Islands in
County Down (accessed by boat from Donaghadee harbour). The diverse range of habitats throughout these islands includes wet grassland, cliff vegetation, saltmarsh, bracken and exposed rock habitat and you’re likely to see wildlife such as rabbits, seals and seabirds.
This list is only scratching the surface and there are so many more islands to choose from! Does our community have any suggestions?