The Inishkea Islands are situated approximately 3 km off the coast of the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo, Ireland. Next stop America!
The Inishkea Islands
The Islands Oiléan Inis Cé
The Inishkea Islands or Inis Cé in Irish, are located 3km off the coast of Belmullet, Co. Mayo.
The Islands are believed to be named after a saint that lived on the island in the 5th century called Saint Kea.
There are two main islands, Inishkea North and Inishkea South. Rich in history and surrounded by crystal clear waters, breathtaking views and white sandy beaches, every corner of the Inishkea Islands are just waiting to be discovered.
Inishkea South Village
Inishkea South School
Rusheen Whaling Station
Ceann na hArda Navigation Tower
Seal View Point
Alt Mór Navigation Tower
St. Derbhile's Holy Well
Inishkea North Village
Inishkea North School
St. Colmcille's Church
The Bailey Mór
Seal View Point
Inishkea South Landing Point
Inishkea North Landing Point
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Explore Things To Do & See on Inishkea
Rich in history and surrounded by breathtaking views and white sandy beaches, every corner of the Inishkea Islands are just waiting to be discovered. Explore the beautiful stone cottages from the 1800s. Visit the whaling station, kings house and early Christian Stone Slabs. Plunge into the island’s crystal clear waters. Take a guided tour with an island descendant or go seal spotting in Ron a’ Luigh. The choice is yours!
Guided Tours
Take a guided tour of Inishkea with an island descendant – to bring the island to life.
Visit the school, whaling station, dye station, kings house, beehive huts, cilin, 5th century stone slabs, various monastic sites and learn about the fascinating focloir stories of the Naomhog, St. Colmcille, Francoise Henry, St. Kea, the royal dye workshop and so much more!
Explore The Villages
Explore the villages of Inishkea South & North – travel back in time as you glance at all the beautiful stone cottages built in the late 1800s.
On Inishkea South, look out for the king’s house, the old two – storey shop, shebeen, school, cilin and its decorated stone slab.
On Inishkea North, visit St. Colmcille’s Church, the king’s house, the shop, shebeen and school.
The Alt Mór
Take a trek up the Alt Mór where one of the two navigation towers on Inishkea South are located.
Built in the late 1800s these structures provide an important navigation purpose for boats travelling in the channel known as Leim Mor.
Enjoy the stunning views of the Inishkea islands and the islands surrounding it at the top of the Alt Mór.
The Bailey Mór
Take a walk up to the Bailey Mór, one of the three man – made mounds on Inishkea North.
It is home to one of the island’s two, early christian monasteries.
Spot the many beehive huts located in the area and take a look at the highly decorated stone slabs from the 5th century, including the stone slab showing the ‘crucifixion scene’.
Beaches & Swimming
There are no shortages of jaw dropping white sandy beaches or places to swim on Inishkea.
Chill on the beach – a perfect place for lunch or take a dip in Inishkea’s crystal clear & sheltered waters, perfect for dozens of watersports, including swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, stand-up-paddling (SUP), fishing and pier jumping – to name just a few!
Sea Cliffs
Enjoy the amazing view of the Sea Cliffs at the west of Inishkea South.
The cliffs are some of the most spectacular in Ireland, hosting extraordinary views and a wide variety of rare flora and fauna.
These Sea Cliffs are a must visit when exploring the island and are also the site of where poitin was once distilled on the island.
Rusheen Island
Explore Rusheen Island – home to the whaling station on Inishkea.
The island is located just off Inishkea South and can be accessed at low tide.
You can still see the old cylindrical oil boilers, where the workers of the whaling station once would have boiled the blubber of whales to make oil.
St. Colmcille’s Church
Visit St. Colmcille’s Church on Inishkea North. St. Colmcille is one of Ireland’s three patron saints.
The other two are St. Brigid and of course, St. Patrick. Colmcille came to Inishkea North and founded the church there in the 7th century.
You can also see the altar, aumbry and various holy stones inside the church building.
the inishkea islands Common Questions
Where are the Inishkea Islands?
How do I get to Inishkea?
Tours to the Inishkea Islands depart daily from Blacksod Pier on the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo. elmullet Boat Charters operate the Inishkea Island Ferry daily from June to August, and every weekend in May and September. We also offer an Inishkea Island & Wildlife Sea Safari, combining a visit to the islands with the opportunity to spot dolphins, seals, whales and other marine wildlife. The journey to the islands takes approximately 35 minutes. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during the summer months.
Can you camp on the Inishkea Islands?
Camping is not permitted on any of the Inishkea Islands. The islands are privately owned, and camping has also been prohibited by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2023.
Does anyone live on the Inishkea Islands?
The Inishkea Islands are home to one full-time resident and approximately 15 part-time and summer residents. In the early 1900s the islands were home to a thriving fishing and farming community of over 300 people. However, life on the remote offshore islands was significantly more challenging than on the mainland. A tragic event known as the Inishkea Drowning claimed the lives of ten young Inishkea fishermen in October 1927. This tragedy deeply affected the community and was a major reason why the islanders were relocated by the government to the mainland in the 1930s.
How big are the Inishkea Islands?
Inishkea North is the bigger of the two islands at 464 acres, while Inishkea South is approximately 344 acres in size.
