4 Islands to Explore in County Clare

Aughinish is a small island and townland located in Oughtmama Parish of the Barony of Burren in north County Clare, in Ireland on the south shore of Galway Bay. The island was originally connected to County Clare, but in 1755 that connection was lost due to the tsunami effect of the massive Portuguese earthquake.

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.

Shore Island is situated on the Shannon Estuary between Limerick and Clare. The distance from Clare shore is approximately 0.5 mile or 10 minutes away by a small boat. Its is approximately 3.5 miles West of Shannon Airport by boat. The island is presently used for the grazing of cattle on an all-year round basis. There are a number of old ruins on the Island, which could be helpful for Planning Permission purposes to construct a habitable dwelling.