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13.01.2025 - 21:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 13, 2025 • 17 min read
There are few places in the world that can match the beauty of Ireland’s islands. Even on wet, misty days, the islands are compelling. Their rugged features become more dramatic. They inspire stories – and adventures. Hundreds of islands dot the coastline of Ireland, each offering something special. From wild tales of pirate queens and one-eyed warrior kings to surprising appearances of wild wallabies or a tropical lagoon in Irish waters, the islands offer a uniquely Irish experience.
Best for cinematic landscapes, outdoor adventures and basking sharks
Along with the Aran island of Inis Mór, Achill was the location for the fictional island of Inisherin in the Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin. Director Martin McDonagh wanted to capture the beauty of Ireland’s western islands on screen with the island becoming another protagonist in the film. Home to towering sea cliffs, soaring mountains, sheltered bays and secret beaches, the scenery is striking indeed.
But the island isn’t just getting by on its looks. The second most populous island in Ireland after the Great Island in County Cork, there are plenty of things to do like hiking, cycling, rock climbing and canoeing. It’s also a great spot for surfing – particularly along the wind-bashed Dooagh Strand – and swimming at the island’s many Blue Flag beaches. Start your day with a morning swim in Keem Bay, a white-sand beach that occasionally attracts basking sharks. Hike the Cliffs of Croaghaun or learn more about the island’s history from local guides on the Colony Tour or the Deserted Village Tour.
Get there: The island is connected by a bridge and makes for an easy day trip from mainland Mayo. You can also bike on the Great Western Greenway, a 26-mile trail that starts in Westport. Westport Bike Hire organizes twice-daily shuttles between Westport and Achill if you don't have your own wheels.
Best for sea dives, mythology and kings
Tory Island is the most remote of the Irish islands. With a population of roughly 140 people, just one hotel and a handful of B&Bs, the buzz of city life fades away quickly here, with the feeling of bygone days taking its place. As part of Donegal’s Gaeltacht region, Irish is the first language here, but English is also spoken.
Tory is a swimmer’s and diver’s dream. Take a dip at the harbor or book a diving session with Mevagh Dive Centre to investigate the wreck of the HMS Wasp, a Royal Navy gunboat whose crew was en route to evict poor tenant families in 1884. It’s said that the island’s Neolithic cursing stone, Cloch na Mallacht, was used to steer the ship off course and toward its untimely end.
Tory Island is rich in folklore, with Balor, the one-eyed warrior king of the mythological Irish
Feb 2, 2025 • 11 min read
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