Islands & Beaches

Exploring Ireland's Beautiful Islands

There's a unique magic to the islands that dot the coast of Ireland. With craggy shores, crumbling stone walls, and beaches that belong in the Caribbean, the isles showcase the best landscapes that the country has to offer (Bonus: We've also picked one in Northern Ireland).
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    Achill Island, County Mayo

    The largest island off the Irish coast, Achill is home to some of the most striking spots along the Wild Atlantic Way. The resident sheep rule the land, meandering slowly in front of cars, and resting precariously along the steep, rugged cliff tops. Drive alongside them on the steep track by Croaghaun mountain and you’ll get to Keem Beach, a horseshoe bay with soft, white sands—keep your eyes peeled for basking sharks, which occasionally visit these waters. A short bridge links Achill to the mainland, but the best way to approach is by bicycle on the Great Western Greenway, a 26-mile bike trail and footpath starting in Westport.

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    Inis Meáin, County Galway

    The Aran Islands perfectly exemplify the spirit of coastal Ireland, all at once desolate, weather-beaten, and utterly beguiling. Inis Meáin is the least developed of the three, with a windswept terrain dominated by rock, in the form of crumbling dry stone walls, and sheets of gray limestone underfoot. Pick up an Aran sweater at the Inis Meáin Knitting Company, and do your best to make a reservation at the chic yet almost perpetually full Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites. Skip the turbulent ferry crossing and opt for a quick, easy flight on Aer Arann from the mainland—the journey takes minutes, and the views are unbeatable.

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    Skellig Michael, County Kerry

    The Skelligs have captured the imagination for centuries, but were thrust into the limelight in 2014, when Skellig Michael was used as a location in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There’s certainly something otherworldly about the isle, which erupts in a dramatic point from the tempestuous ocean below. At its peak, you’ll find a monastic settlement dating back to the sixth century, reached by a steep climb of more than 600 steps. Boat trips run in the summer months and are weather-dependent; numbers on Skellig Michael are also limited to 180 visitors a day, so booking is essential.

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    BONUS: Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

    The only populated island off the shores of Northern Ireland, Rathlin is abundantly green, though the cliff tops burst with purple heather as the summer dwindles. Mill Bay is right by the harbor, and it's where you’ll likely find the lolloping colony of resident seals. Walk back up the coast to reach the RSPB Seabird Centre (open from April to September) and you might just catch a glimpse of the puffins, which dip in and out of the cliffs in spring and early summer. You can tour the lighthouse there, too. Ferries run all year round, with the six-mile crossing taking around 25 minutes.

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    Inishmurray, County Sligo

    The unpredictable weather along the Sligo coastline and the lack of a formal landing facility on the island mean that trips to Inishmurray are never guaranteed. But if the odds are in your favor, it’s well worth the effort. Though it receives a fraction of the visitors of, say, Skellig Michael, the remote isle packs a fairly hefty archaeological punch, with its sixth-century monastery standing in remarkably good condition. (Visit in April or May, and the grass between the old stones is transformed into a carpet of wild bluebells.) Trips tend to run between mid-April and mid-September, and depart from the picturesque village of Mullaghmore.

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    Cape Clear, County Cork

    The southernmost inhabited part of Ireland, Cape Clear is a Gaeltacht—or Irish-speaking—island, so learning a cúpla focal (few words) of the language is sure to charm the locals. In summer, the gentle slopes of the island burst into life with wildflowers, the yellow petals of gorse radiating a coconut-like scent when warmed by the sun. Wander the land and you’ll soon stumble across a historic sight, whether it’s the megalithic standing stones or the crumbling remains of O’Driscoll Castle, perched dramatically upon the edge of the cliffs. Ferries run from Baltimore all year round, and you might just spot a dolphin during the crossing.

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