Explore mythical islands off Ireland’s North-West Coast

Experience a different world just minutes away

Get a rare glimpse of a bygone age. See ancient crafts and traditions, hear the native Irish language spoken, view amazing historic remains and spellbinding scenery - all just a few minutes boat trip away.

Capture the magic and unique traditional values of the West of Ireland by visiting a number of islands that are accessible from the Donegal and Sligo coasts.

The mystical islands of Arranmore, Tory, Gola, Inishbofin and Inishfree off Donegal andInishmurraynear Sligo call to mind images of an earlier civilisation.

Catch a ferry or boat and drop in to see these rare glimpses of a bygone age still being kept very much alive today. Watch the island inhabitants as they ply their traditional occupations - farming the rocky soil and fishing the challenging waters of the Atlantic. Listen to the locals converse in fluent Irish - their first language, for many of these islands are at the core of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) community in Ireland.

Great welcome and tradition on Tory
Not many people can say they are greeted on arrival at their destination by a king so a visit to Tory Island is truly exceptional! When you arrive by ferry boat from Bunbeg, Magheroarty or Portnablagh, Patsy Dan Rodgers, is there to extend a warm greeting as the honorary 'King of Tory'.

This is by no means the only exceptional aspect of a visit to Tory, the most northerly outpost of Donegal's thriving Gaelic culture and the largest of the Irish isles.

You will be captivated by the scene unfolding before you on the island, which is 6km long and 2km wide The cottages of the 200 inhabitants stand side-by-side with a series of impressive historic remains. Be enthralled as you view the ruins of early Christian settlements and Iron Age forts. St. Colmcille founded a monastery here in the 6th century and you can still see a Tau Cross (one of only two in Ireland) and mediaeval round tower. Imagine what life was like here as far back as 4,000 years ago.

The wonders of nature are all around. Rare birdlife, including cliff-nesting seabirds and the globally threatened corncrake, as well as wild flowers, find shelter here. What a perfect setting for those interested in ornithology and painting alike!

Avail of a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to experience the unique traditions for which Ireland has gained famed all over the world. Let the finest musicians, 'seanchaís' (storytellers) and dancers enthral you at nightly sessions that linger into the early hours.

Enchanting Aranmore
From the moment you step onto the ferry bound for Aranmore from the old Donegal town of Burtonport, feel a sense of enchantment. On your 20/30-minute trip, you will steam past the nearby islands ofInniscoo and Inniskeraghas you make your way to one of the most inhabited islands off the Irish coast.

About 600 people live on Aranmore today. They maintain a proud tradition of civilisation, going back to the early Iron Age, on this spectacularly beautiful spot.

Immerse yourself in their culture and traditions. Sample their local craftwork, including the famous Aran knitwear. Enjoy their music and song - the island has been a centre of Gaelic culture for centuries.

Take in the wonderful scenery and enjoy really lovely walks and incredible views. From the rolling hills, see across to the Rosses Region, other neighbouring islands and the Donegal mountains. Or take a walk on two lovely beaches, at Aphort and Leabh Gharbh.

You might even be tempted to try your hand at lake or shore angling, with the excellent facilities for both on your doorstep.

All this just a short trip from the Donegal mainland, and you can even bring your car!

Experience another world on Gola
When you set foot on magical Gola Island, you may be only a mile off the Gweedore coastline on the Irish mainland but you are in a different world. Experience an almost spiritual sense of tranquility as you wander this 200 hectare oasis of peace.

Absorb the haunting atmosphere of its past as you view the (now renovated) stone houses and old school house. These evoke life on the island before the inhabitants left for the mainland more than 40 years ago.

As former residents renovate these old buildings, Gola is experiencing a new sense of life today. A ferry boat service from Magheragallan Pier near Bunbeg has opened up this treasure trove to the visitor.

Cherish the wonderful ecology and cliff walks, the rare birdlife. What a wonderful setting for rock climbing and camping. You can explore the area in a few hours over easy walking terrain.

Capture the moment. Watch a crimson sun set over secluded bays or sparkle on waters populated by seals and porpoises. Magic!

Alluring Inishbofin
To see an island which is relatively untouched and unspoilt, visit Inishbofin. Catch a ferry from Magheroartyand see this alluring place, just 3.2km off Donegal's north-west coast.

Meet some of the islanders - farmers and fishermen who live in the sheltered south-western corner. Explore the rocky coastline with impressive cliffs, sea arches, caves and sandy beaches. Here you will also find an abundance of birdlife, including the endangered corncrake.

Inishfree - a haven of tranquility
Another spiritual haven of peace and tranquility is Inishfree Island, lying off the west coastline of Donegal.

A visit here by ferry from Burtonport promises a special experience. Beautiful scenery and sandy beaches are but some of the treats in store on this beautiful 2.5 sq. km outpost.

Once home to a tightly-knit community of 36 families before being deserted, the island was recently re-inhabited. Get a special sense of the culture and traditions from the friendly residents who organise cultural activities on topics ranging from music and dancing to crafts and heritage from time to time.

Monastic Innishmurray
A trip to Innishmurray, 6km off the Sligo coast will take you right back to early monastic times in Ireland. Here you can see the remains of a monastic settlement founded by St. Molaise around 520 AD. And get a great view of Donegal Bay and the famous Benbulben Mountains in Sligo in the process.

This is a special treat ... a remarkable group of monastic buildings and monuments, most of which are enclosed within the walls of an ancient castle. The ruins were restored in the late 1800s and represent a rare and beautiful sight.

There is much antiquity to explore ... devotional 'stations' all around the island, open-air altars and churches, including a women's church and burial ground. Look out even for the maledictory or 'cursing' stones! Marvel at how the island rises only 22m above sea level at its western end and is made of sandstone. Admire the natural lake in the centre which is now a protected wildlife sanctuary.

If a sense of spiritual stillness rubs off on you during your visit, it is no surprise. Innishmurray remained a monastic settlement for many centuries since the 6th century. One of the survivors of the famous Spanish Armada shipwreck off Ireland's west coast in 1588 wrote that monks were present there at that time. In any event, the island appears to have been inhabited until the last 1940s.

Boat trips are possible to the island from Mullaghmore and Rosses Point on the Sligo mainland but are weather dependent. Consequently there is no regular timetable.

Visitors to the island should also note that, as there is no modern pier there, it is advisable to wear suitable clothing and footwear for alighting from the boats on arrival.

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FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the county in general, please contact:

Fáilte Ireland North West
Aras Reddan
Temple Street
Sligo
Tel: 00353 (0) 7191 61201
Fax: 00353 (0) 719160360

Email: northwestinfo@failteireland.ie
Web: www.irelandnorthwest.ie