16 Islands to Explore in Ulster

Checkout places to visit in Ulster

Ulster

Ulster is one of the four traditional Irish provinces, in the north of Ireland. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland; the remaining three are in the Republic of Ireland. It is full of places to explore. Here is the Ultimate Ulster bucket list of things you must do here before you die.

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Islands to Explore in Ulster

Boa Island

Boa Island is an island near the north shore of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the largest island in Lough Erne, approximately 8 km long, and relatively narrow. It features a counterscarp rath as well as carved stones, graveyard and enclosure, all in Dreenan townland and all Scheduled Historic Monuments. The oldest stone monument on the island is a denuded cairn at Inishkeeragh Bridge near the southern tip of the island.

Cruit Island

Cruit Island is one of the main islands of the Rosses, now joined to the mainland near Kincasslagh. The island resembles a harp just enough to allow the more poetically minded to opt for that derviation. Cruit is one of only two inhabited islands in the Rosses, the other being Arranmore, a big change from the time, just a generation ago, when most of the islands of any size were populated.

Devenish Island

Devenish is an L-Shaped island of 70 acres at the South end of Lower Lough Erne. This is one of a chain of Island monasteries in both Upper and Lower Lough Erne. Devenish was an important port of call on one of Early Christian Ireland’s major highways. Take the ferry or water bus across the beautiful Lough Erne, and soak up the beautiful sights and magnificent history at this wonderful display of Irish history.

Gola Island

The Gola Island covers about one square mile (500 acres) and is situated about one mile from the pier at Machaire Gathlán. It is hilly on its west side, rising to 238 feet at Cnoc an Choillín and 212 feet at An Mhaol Mhór, and these hills shelter the houses that stretch in a ribbon along the east side. Gola islanders are renowned for their skills as mariners and fishermen and story-tellers.

Inch Island

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.

Inish Rath

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.

Inishbofin

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.

Inishkeel

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.

Inishmuck

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.

Isle of Doagh

The Isle of Doagh is situated between Trawbreaga and Pollan Bay. The island offers beautiful beaches with dunes and is home to the impressive Carrikabraghy Castle in the far north-east of Doagh. The Doagh Famine Village is located here. This open-air museum contains examples of thatched buildings and traditional lifestyles. Attractions include recreations of an Irish wake, Orange Hall, Presbyterian Meeting House, mass rock, hedge school, eviction scene and Republican Safe House.

Lough Island Reavy Reservoir

Lough Island Reavy is a small man-made lough in Kilcoo, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a fishing spot, which is controlled by the Belfast Anglers club. The lake contains pike and perch, as well as small numbers of wild brown trout and eels.

Lusty Beg Island

Lusty Beg Island is a unique and utterly charming destination offering the perfect location to relax and unwind. Set amongst beautiful lake-side woodlands, there is a selection of accommodation including self-catering houses and ensuite hotel style bedrooms, restaurant, retreat spa, activity centre, nature trail and fairy trails.

Lustymore Island

Lustymore Island is an island located in Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Nearby is Boa Island whose Caldragh cemetery has a carved Janus type figure. A second figure was brought to Caldragh in 1939 from Lustymore Island. In the early 20th century, Lady Hunt from Alberta, Canada owned both Lustymore and Lustybeg islands. When her residence, Glenvar House, accidentally burned down, she moved to Germany.

Owey Island

Owey Island is a 300 acre island off the coast of west County Donegal, Ireland.The island's highest hill, Moylemore, is at 102 m.The buildings of the island are located on its southern part, being the northern one rocky and exposed to winds. On Owey there is no mains electricity or public water supply. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area and also it offers beautiful views too.

Tory Island

The small island, about 12 km off the coast of Ireland, is a real unique place and stronghold of Irish tradition. This is lived intensively by the islanders who have chosen their own king. Sights of the island are a T-shaped cross, remains of a round tower and monastery, as well as a lighthouse.

White Island

White Island is an island in Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. The ruins of an ancient church are found near the shore, built on the site of an earlier monastic settlement. It still has an intact arched Romanesque doorway. The island is best known for its eight carved figures that sit in a line along the interior north wall of the church. Most were carved between 800 and 1000 A.D. The island is accessed by ferry from the marina in Castle Archdale Country Park, near Irvinestown.

Map of Islands to explore in Ulster