55 Islands to Explore in Ireland

A small and beautiful island within Lough Swilly, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Between the island and the mainland lies the Inch Wildfowl Reserve – a birdwatchers paradise. The site includes two car parks, seating, viewpoints and a number of bird hides open to the public. This scenic pathway follows around the lake edge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding agricultural landscape and wetlands.

Inchagoill Island, located midway between Cong and Oughterard, is one of the largest of many wooded islets along Lough Corrib. It has spectacular views of the Maumturk range, Joyce Country and the mountains of Connemara. There also stands the ruins of two ancient churches, both of the small Irish type but of far different styles and dates.

A beautiful island situated in Lough Ree on the River Shannon, in central Ireland. The island is home to the ruins of St. Diarmaid’s Monastery, a monastery founded by Diarmaid the Just in AD 560. These buildings constitute a National Monument. Between 800 and 1300 the island and its churches were repeatedly plundered and burned by invaders, so the buildings are in ruins today. Six of the island's churches are surrounded by an enclosure in the southeast corner of the island.

Inchmore is an island and townland located in Lough Ree in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is in the civil parish of Bunown. The island, which consists of 132 acres, is the largest in Lough Ree. A ring fort is located at the south end. The island is now uninhabited, however a ruined monastery attributed to St. Lioban (or Liberius), the son of Lossenus shows evidence of previous habitation.

Inchydoney is a small island off West Cork, Ireland, connected to the mainland by two causeways. The nearest town is Clonakilty. It has a Blue Flag beach. It is a popular tourist destination. There are two beaches, one either side of the Virgin Mary headland. In Summer there is a lifeguard station on the headland for three months.

Inis Cathaigh is an island in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland. It lies off the coast of Kilrush, County Clare. Most of the island is now owned by the Office of Public Works, who run a small visitor centre and carry out repairs and maintenance on the island; it was bought by Dúchas in 1991. The island is domestic to a lighthouse, a ruined monastery, an Irish spherical tower and the stays of an artillery battery.

Inis Cealtra is a 50-acre island on River Shannon and is located near Mountshannon in Co Clare. It’s unique, even in Ireland, in that there are monuments and artifacts here, dating back over 1000 years, that have survived in a wonderful state of preservation because of their secluded island location. Boat trips can be taken from the harbour at Mountshannon. It is conserved by the East Clare Heritage Centre.

The small island of Inishnee in Roundstone Bay is connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge and is a wonderfully unique destination. The island is equipped with a lighthouse. As of 2011, it had a population of 43.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, which was home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley. It's some 5.5 km long by 3 km wide and has a population of 175. It's low-lying and treeless, with heathland sprayed by the sea. It is a great tourist destination and it attracts a lot of tourists to enjoy the beauty of this area.

Inish Rath is an island located in Lough Erne, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is also known as Hare Krishna Island. The main building on the island is a Victorian mansion, built by Cavendish Butler. It was later sold to Lord Erne and became a hunting lodge. It has a 22-acre nature reserve which is open to the public.

Inishark sometimes called Shark Island, is a small island neighbouring the larger Inishbofin in County Galway, Ireland. Inishark is situated northeast of Shark Head, north of Black Rock. The island was occupied for thousands of years and has many Bronze Age sites such as burial grounds and monuments. The island is now uninhabited; the last 23 inhabitants of this former isolated fishing and farming community were evacuated on the 20th of October 1960.

Inishbiggle is a small inhabited island off the coast of Ballycroy in County Mayo. Its name in Irish means "Vigil Island". The island is situated between the northeast of Achill Island and the mainland, and is accessed by boat from either Doran's point at Ballycroy or Bullsmouth, Dooniver on Achill Island. The island is 2½ km x 1½ km, or 650 acres in area.

Inishbofin is an island off the coast of Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh, County Donegal, Ireland. The island is a 120-hectare land mass, with an economy traditionally based on fishing and farming. Irish is spoken routinely. There are no pubs or shops on the island. There is a boat service to and from it but no regular ferry.

Inishbofin is a small island off the coast of Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The island is 5.7km by 4km. The main activities on the island today are tourism, farming and fishing. The island is a breeding area for many species of birds. Inishbofin is home to “Dún Gráinne”, the remains of a fort used by the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.

Inishkeel is a small tidal island and a townland off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The closest village on the mainland is Narin. The island is located in Gweebarra Bay around 250 m from the coast. A sandy tidal bank connects, with low tide, the island with the mainland.

Inishmaan is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. It is part of County Galway in the province of Connacht. Inishmaan has a population of about 183, making it the smallest of the Aran Islands in terms of population. It is one of the most important strongholds of traditional Irish culture. The island is predominantly Irish-speaking and part of the Gaeltacht, though all inhabitants have knowledge of English.

Inishmuck is an island in County Cavan. It is situated nearby to Ardonan. It was a greenish island and there are so many things to see and do here.

Inishmurray Island has been uninhabited since the 1940's wth the last occupants vacating in 1948. Located in Donegal Bay 7km off the coast of Sligo. There are remains of an early Irish monastic settlement. Laisrén Mac Decláin reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century. The island's ecclesiastical settlement was attacked in 795 and again in 807 by the Vikings, and eventually the monks abandoned the island.

Inishturk is an inhabited island of County Mayo, in Ireland. Inishturk has been inhabited on and off since 4,000 BCE and has been inhabited permanently since at least 1700. Inishturk meaning ‘Island of the Wild Boar’, is a wild, windswept patch of lush greenness with sheer wall-like cliffs and steep hills.

Innisfallen is the largest island on Lough Leane, which is the largest of the three Lakes of Killarney. An island of approx 21 acres it is the largest of the islands on the lake and can be accessed via motor boats which run from Ross castle during the summer months. Some of the most impressive archaeological remains from early Christian times to be found in the Killarney region are to be found in the ruined monastery on Innisfallen Island.