The largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore is famous not just for its rugged beauty but for its rich store of megalithic remains, in particular its four ancient forts.
Unfortunately its popularity as a tourist destination has had some negative effects, and it is no longer the sleepy slow moving place it once was. Is it becoming a tourist trap?
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Although no longer strictly an Island since the construction of a road to the mainland, Achill retains the sense of being a place apart.
There are beautiful secluded beaches, good places to stay and eat and many historic places to visit, including a deserted and ruined ‘famine village’.
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For generations of Irish people this has been a place to retreat to, for prayer, fasting and pilgrimage. In spite of a changing world many people still make an annual visit.
Although the pilgrimage is a tough challenge, the location compensates somewhat. It’s an island set in a beautiful lake and surrounded by dramatic scenery.
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This tiny island off the coast of Donegal isn’t always the easiest to get to – you’re depending on good weather – but it is always worth the effort.
The island is ‘ruled’ by an elected king and as well as wonderful scenery and wildlife has a renowned school of painters, who work in a naif primitive style.
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Now uninhabited, Scattery was lived in from the time St Senen established a monastery there in 534 until the last Islanders left in 1978.
It fascinating history encompasses monsters, Vikings, the Spanish Armada, invasions that never happened and a small Island community who had a unique approach to death. Not many people go there – you should.
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