Irish islands you need to visit

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Achill Island, Co. Mayo​

Home to 2,500 residents, Achill is the largest inhabited island off the Irish coast. It's a favorite among artists and photographers, thanks to its dramatic scenery.​

 

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Achill Island, Co. Mayo​

A breathtaking coastal route provides the opportunity to really absorb the island panorama. Moorlands, peat bogs, and thatched cottages dot the landscape.​

 

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Achill Island, Co. Mayo​

The pristine beach at Keel, with gentle rolling waves, makes this spot one of the best in Ireland for surfing, thanks to exposure to swells from the south and west almost year round.​

 

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Inishbofin, Co. Galway​

Inishbofin, off the Galway coast, is believed to have been inhabited since 8000-4000 BCE. Having been home to soldiers and pirates alike over the years, the island has a rich history.​

 

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Inishbofin, Co. Galway​

Legend has it a woman and a cow emerge from the lake on Inishbofin every seven years to forewarn of impending disaster. While it's unlikely any visitors will witness this, you can take one of the many looping walks where you'll probably catch a glimpse of the local sheep.​

 

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Inishkea, Co. Mayo​

The low-lying Inishkea islands lie off the coast of Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Home to a variety of bird species, seals, rabbits, sheep, and donkeys, the islands were last inhabited by people in the 1930s.​

 

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Inishkea, Co. Mayo​

The remains of stone cottages from the 1800s still stand on the islands, a relic of the past and the Famine's legacy. Visitors can explore the unspoiled islands on foot.​