
It’s no secret that the Emerald Isle is wealthy in magnificence – however what of the tiny islands that encompass it?
Whereas vacationers swarm to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Eire’s islands can supply an off-the-beaten-track escape to travellers who’re eager to be taught extra concerning the nation’s tradition away from the crowds.
There are round 80 sizeable islands off the coast of Eire, and tons of extra nestled throughout the nation’s loughs, with some house to tiny fashionable populations and others dotted with historic ruins.
These fascinating outcrops embrace Lambay Island in Dublin, the place you’ll discover a curious mob of wallabies; County Kerry’s Skellig Micheal, famed as a filming location for 2 Star Wars movies, and Spike Island off the coast of County Cork – nicknamed the ‘Irish Alcatraz’ – the place guests can tour across the cells of a former jail.
‘Mysterious ocean isles, lake-locked havens, and remoted nature sanctuaries: Eire’s islands are a world of their very own… an island go to provides one thing particular: a glimpse into a unique life, an opportunity to hike unbelievable strolling routes, to style super-fresh seafood and to satisfy among the friendliest folks round,’ says Eire.com.
Most islands are only a brief ferry trip away from the mainland, whereas others will be accessed by way of bridges and even by cable automotive. Scroll right down to see MailOnline Journey’s choose of the nation’s beautiful must-visit isles…
Nice Blasket Island, Co Kerry
This beautiful aerial shot reveals Nice Blasket in County Kerry, considered one of six principal islands comprising the Blasket archipelago. The outcrop, which measures 4 miles (6.4km) lengthy and half-a-mile (0.8km) extensive, claims the title of being probably the most westerly level in Europe. In line with rucsacs.com, the Blasket Islands had been ‘inhabited for a lot of centuries, most likely because the Iron Age’ and Nice Blasket had ‘a inhabitants of some 160 folks throughout World Struggle I, however this quickly dwindled and the island was lastly deserted in 1953’. In the present day Nice Blasket is a well-liked vacation spot for daytrippers, with attracts together with a white sand seaside known as Tra Ban (above), which interprets to ‘White Strand’, climbing trails and an abundance of wildlife, starting from basking sharks to puffins. Guests can discover the deserted fishing village on the island and keep in cottages which have been restored and transformed into lodgings. Manuel S wrote a evaluate on Tripadvisor after visiting Nice Blasket in 2019: ‘Silence, donkeys, seals and cliffs. Each minute seems like an hour. The right place to breathe and be comfortable!’ To get there, a ferry service from the mainland runs on a seasonal foundation from Ce Dhun Chaoin (Dunquin Pier), Dingle Marina and Ventry Pier
Spike Island, Co Cork


Situated off the coast of Cork, Spike Island – nicknamed the ‘Irish Alcatraz’ – boasts an enchanting and darkish historical past, which has included ‘monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints’, the island’s web site notes. The island’s star-shaped fortress, Fort Mitchel, dates again to 1804 and at one time was the biggest jail on the planet, holding as much as 2,300 prisoners. It stopped functioning as a jail in 2004, with convicts changed by daytrippers. The isle was voted Europe’s main vacationer attraction on the World Journey Awards in 2017, with guests capable of discover the convict cemetery, unique Nineteenth-century jail cells and the homes of the island’s village, a few of which date again to the 1700s. Liam M, who visited the island in Might, wrote in a Tripadvisor evaluate that three hours exploring its historical past ‘flew by’ and it was a ‘nice expertise for all of the household’. Spike Island is reached by ferry from the city of Cobh, the Titanic’s final port of name in 1912
Tory Island, Co Donegal


The Irish tourism board says Tory Island, additionally Toraigh, positioned simply over seven miles (12km) off the northwest coast of County Donegal, is ‘probably the most distant of Eire’s inhabited islands’. It says this remoteness has led to the preservation of many traditions and customs, which embrace the appointment of an ‘island king’. The title was final claimed by Patsy Dan Rodgers, who died in 2018 on the age of 74, however nobody has reigned since. Attracts to the rugged outcrop embrace a T-shaped cross referred to as the Tau cross, the ruins of St. Colmcille’s Sixth-century monastery, a lighthouse, and the Dun Bhaloir fort. Go to between March and September and you might spy puffins nesting on the coast, the vacationer board provides. Tory Island is accessible by way of a passenger ferry that leaves from Magheroarty Pier on the mainland, with the journey taking round 45 minutes
Rathlin Island, Co Antrim


Rathlin is an ‘L’ formed island measuring six miles (9.6km) lengthy and one mile (1.6km) extensive off the northeast coast of Eire. In line with the island’s web site, Rathlin, which is house to round 140 inhabitants, was ‘most likely the primary Irish island to turn into inhabited’ and it’s thought the primary settlers arrived there someplace between 6,000BC to five,000BC from Scotland. Enterprise to the island for a tour of its well-known ‘upside-down’ lighthouse – the beacon lies on the base of the constructing, somewhat than on the prime, to chop by way of low-lying fog. The isle can also be house to an enormous seabird colony – you possibly can see puffins through the early summer time months. Over time well-known guests have included Robert the Bruce, who took refuge on the isle in 1306 throughout his wrestle for the Scottish crown, and Sir Richard Branson, who in 1987 crash-landed off the coast throughout his record-breaking Atlantic crossing in a scorching air balloon. For these desirous to comply with of their footsteps, Rathlin will be reached by way of a ferry service that operates from Ballycastle in County Antrim, with the journey taking round 25 minutes
Devenish Island, Co Fermanagh


You’ll discover Devenish Island in Decrease Lough Erne, considered one of a pair of linked lakes simply outdoors the city of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. It’s considered one of a grand complete of 154 islands throughout the lakes. Based by the early Irish saint Molaise of Leighlin within the Sixth century, the monastic website is in the present day house to a ruined Augustinian abbey and a Twelfth-century spherical tower (pictured). Guests can climb to the highest of the 30m- (100ft) tall tower and ‘marvel on the spectacular views’, says Enniskillen.com. The island’s buildings characteristic ‘superbly carved intricate particulars’, provides the web site, whereas Uncover Northern Eire notes that ‘remnants of the island’s earlier historical past stay hidden beneath your ft’. In the summertime, a ferry to Devenish runs from Trory jetty (round a one-hour, 40-minute drive from Belfast), and prices £2.25 for adults, £1.20 for kids
Aran Islands, Co Galway
![Inis Mor Island (Big Island, pictured above) is one of a group of three islands in Galway Bay, along with Inis Meain Island (Middle Island) and Inis Oirr Island (East Island), 'famed for their wild landscapes, distinctive knitted jumpers [Aran jumpers] and pretty cottages', the Irish tourist board explains. There are ruins on the islands that date back to the Bronze Age. Inis Mor, the largest of the three, is covered in miles of stone walls, with massive cliffs on the western side. A thriving seal colony, wild swans, ducks, and rare birds can also be found in the waters around the island. Residents of each of the Aran Islands speak both Irish and English. Year after year, visitors make a pilgrimage to experience the isles' nightlife - music sessions and 'ceili dances' are popular in the islands' pubs, as is traditional 'sean-nos' singing. Aer Arann run regular flights to all three islands, while regular passenger ferries set sail from Galway](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60405655-10829157-Inis_Mor_Island_Big_Island_pictured_above_is_one_of_a_group_of_t-a-53_1659428106536.jpg)
![Inis Mor Island (Big Island, pictured above) is one of a group of three islands in Galway Bay, along with Inis Meain Island (Middle Island) and Inis Oirr Island (East Island), 'famed for their wild landscapes, distinctive knitted jumpers [Aran jumpers] and pretty cottages', the Irish tourist board explains. There are ruins on the islands that date back to the Bronze Age. Inis Mor, the largest of the three, is covered in miles of stone walls, with massive cliffs on the western side. A thriving seal colony, wild swans, ducks, and rare birds can also be found in the waters around the island. Residents of each of the Aran Islands speak both Irish and English. Year after year, visitors make a pilgrimage to experience the isles' nightlife - music sessions and 'ceili dances' are popular in the islands' pubs, as is traditional 'sean-nos' singing. Aer Arann run regular flights to all three islands, while regular passenger ferries set sail from Galway](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60405655-10829157-Inis_Mor_Island_Big_Island_pictured_above_is_one_of_a_group_of_t-a-53_1659428106536.jpg)
Inis Mor Island (Huge Island, pictured above) is considered one of a gaggle of three islands in Galway Bay, together with Inis Meain Island (Center Island) and Inis Oirr Island (East Island), ‘famed for his or her wild landscapes, distinctive knitted jumpers [Aran jumpers] and fairly cottages’, the Irish vacationer board explains. There are ruins on the islands that date again to the Bronze Age. Inis Mor, the biggest of the three, is roofed in miles of stone partitions, with huge cliffs on the western aspect. A thriving seal colony, wild swans, geese, and uncommon birds can be discovered within the waters across the island. Residents of every of the Aran Islands converse each Irish and English. Yr after yr, guests make a pilgrimage to expertise the isles’ nightlife – music periods and ‘ceili dances’ are in style within the islands’ pubs, as is conventional ‘sean-nos’ singing. Aer Arann run common flights to all three islands, whereas common passenger ferries set sail from Galway
Achill Island, Co Mayo


Pictured is the spectacular Bunnafreva lake on the western aspect of Achill Island, which is joined to the mainland of County Mayo by way of the Micheal Davitt Bridge, inbuilt 2008. The isle – which is Eire’s largest – has a historical past of human settlement that dates again round 5,000 years, with Megalithic tombs and promontory forts to be explored. In the present day, in addition to a inhabitants of round 2,500, the isle is house to an array of wildlife together with uncommon birds such because the chough, golden plover, and merlin falcon, says the official tourism web site. Different residents of notice embrace the German author and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Heinrich Boll, who as soon as had a cottage on Achill Island. His literary retreat, discovered on the outskirts of Dugort village on the northern aspect of the isle, now invitations artists and writers to use for a two-week residency ‘to pay attention totally on their work’ and use Achill as a ‘supply of inspiration’, says heinrichboellcottage.com. For guests searching for their very own inspiration, Achill Island is round a two-hour, 20-minute drive from Galway Metropolis
Clare Island, Co Mayo


Take the 25-minute ferry trip from Roonagh Pier (round a two-hour drive from Galway) to Clare Island and there’s each likelihood it’ll be accompanied by a college of dolphins, says clareisland.ie. Discovered 3.5 miles (5.6 km) off the west coast of County Mayo, the mountainous silhouette is dominated by the height of Knockmore at 1,515ft (462m) on the north-western edge. Elsewhere, the island’s ‘stunning’ Blue Flag seaside ‘makes a really perfect playground for kids’, says the isle’s web site, whereas its sea cliffs are described as among the ‘most dramatic on the West Coast’. The Sixteenth-century stronghold of Grace O’Malley, famed as Eire’s ‘Pirate Queen’, will be discovered on the east coast of the island. Writing on Tripadvisor, earlier customer Jamie described the isle as ‘very idyllic and peaceable’ and praised its pubs as ‘sensible’. In the present day, there are about 160 residents on the island, nevertheless it has been inhabited for 1000’s of years, its inhabitants peaking at 1,700 in 1841, simply earlier than the devastation of the Nice Famine of Eire
Skellig Islands, Co Kerry


The phrase ‘skellig’ comes from the outdated Irish phrase sceillec, which implies a splinter of stone, says bigseventravel – a becoming that means for these seemingly uninhabitable pointy shards. There are two Skellig islands: Little Skellig, which is inaccessible, and Skellig Micheal (centre), which is house to a Unesco World Heritage-listed monastery arrange by hardy monks within the Sixth century, says eire.com. The weather-beaten outcrop was used as a filming location for 2 Star Wars movies – 2015’s The Drive Awakens and 2017’s The Final Jedi. In a letter to his pal, the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw stated that Skellig Michael was ‘probably the most incredible and unattainable rock on the planet’. He added: ‘The factor doesn’t belong to any world that you simply and I’ve lived and labored in: It’s a part of our dream world.’ Skellig Boat Excursions – a few of which supply the possibility to go to the traditional monastery – run all through the summer time departing from The Skellig Expertise Guests Centre on Valentia Island, round a two-hour-45-minute drive from Cork
Valentia Island, Co Kerry


Discovered simply off the southwest coast of County Kerry, Valentia Island is house to the positioning of the world’s first Transatlantic Cable. The primary telegraph cable was put in in 1858, set as much as ship messages to and from Trinity Bay in Newfoundland, Canada. The primary message was despatched in 67 minutes. Previous to its implementation, a message from Europe to North America would have taken two weeks to reach, says the island’s official web site. Nevertheless, the cable’s success was short-lived – a brand new, simpler cable was subsequently put in in 1866 and used for the following century. Elsewhere on the island lies Eire’s most westerly harbour mild (pictured), discovered within the Nineteenth-century lighthouse constructing that’s now open to the general public. Valentia Island, which has a inhabitants of round 600, will be reached by way of the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge from Portmagee, and the closest practice station is Killarney
Dursey Island, Co Cork
![With a permanent population of around six and no shops or restaurants, it's clear why the unspoilt island of Dursey on the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula is popular with people looking to get away from it all. Describing his visit to the isle on Tripadvisor, Mark B wrote: '[It's] a great place to get away from the rest of the world and find tranquillity. There is nothing there but grass, wind, seagulls and stunning views.' Visitors ought to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife - the isle's website says: 'Dolphins and whales are regular visitors to the rich waters that surround Dursey, in addition to a wide range of different types of seabirds and butterflies.' What's more, the island is home to Ireland's only cable car (above), which is also the only cable car that crosses open seawater in all of Europe. Explorewestcork.com says: 'With a capacity of carrying just six people at a time, the cable is a lifeline for the handful of inhabitants living in three small villages [Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael, and Tilickafinna] on the island.' The cable car typically leaves from Ballaghboy on the mainland, but tourists will have to wait to visit - it's currently closed for repairs and is set to reopen on November 30. In the meantime, LCF Marine is running an emergency ferry service three days a week, but only registered islanders are permitted to use it](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60439529-10829157-With_a_permanent_population_of_around_six_and_no_shops_or_restau-a-61_1659428106596.jpg)
![With a permanent population of around six and no shops or restaurants, it's clear why the unspoilt island of Dursey on the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula is popular with people looking to get away from it all. Describing his visit to the isle on Tripadvisor, Mark B wrote: '[It's] a great place to get away from the rest of the world and find tranquillity. There is nothing there but grass, wind, seagulls and stunning views.' Visitors ought to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife - the isle's website says: 'Dolphins and whales are regular visitors to the rich waters that surround Dursey, in addition to a wide range of different types of seabirds and butterflies.' What's more, the island is home to Ireland's only cable car (above), which is also the only cable car that crosses open seawater in all of Europe. Explorewestcork.com says: 'With a capacity of carrying just six people at a time, the cable is a lifeline for the handful of inhabitants living in three small villages [Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael, and Tilickafinna] on the island.' The cable car typically leaves from Ballaghboy on the mainland, but tourists will have to wait to visit - it's currently closed for repairs and is set to reopen on November 30. In the meantime, LCF Marine is running an emergency ferry service three days a week, but only registered islanders are permitted to use it](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60439529-10829157-With_a_permanent_population_of_around_six_and_no_shops_or_restau-a-61_1659428106596.jpg)
With a everlasting inhabitants of round six and no outlets or eating places, it’s clear why the unspoilt island of Dursey on the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula is in style with folks seeking to get away from all of it. Describing his go to to the isle on Tripadvisor, Mark B wrote: ‘[It’s] a terrific place to get away from the remainder of the world and discover tranquillity. There may be nothing there however grass, wind, seagulls and beautiful views.’ Guests must hold their eyes peeled for wildlife – the isle’s web site says: ‘Dolphins and whales are common guests to the wealthy waters that encompass Dursey, along with a variety of various kinds of seabirds and butterflies.’ What’s extra, the island is house to Eire’s solely cable automotive (above), which can also be the one cable automotive that crosses open seawater in all of Europe. Explorewestcork.com says: ‘With a capability of carrying simply six folks at a time, the cable is a lifeline for the handful of inhabitants residing in three small villages [Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael, and Tilickafinna] on the island.’ The cable automotive usually leaves from Ballaghboy on the mainland, however vacationers should wait to go to – it’s at the moment closed for repairs and is about to reopen on November 30. Within the meantime, LCF Marine is working an emergency ferry service three days every week, however solely registered islanders are permitted to make use of it
Dalkey Island, Co Dublin


Described by visitdublin.com as a ‘excellent’ day journey and positioned simply 9.3 miles (15km) from Dublin, the uninhabited Dalkey Island is among the extra accessible islands on this checklist. Its Gaelic identify of ‘Deilginis’ means ‘Thorn Island’, and in keeping with Irishroadtrip.com, it was house to among the first Stone Age settlers on the east coast of Eire. ‘There may be proof it was inhabited across the 4th millennium BC,’ provides the journey information. Steeped in historical past, the island is house to the stays of a promontory fort and a Seventh-century church. Head on a kayak tour from the mainland and paddle to the island’s edge or take the ferry with Ken the Ferryman from Colliemore Harbour, a 45-minute bus journey from Dublin metropolis centre
Inishbofin Island, Co Galway


These days, this small island seven miles (11km) off Galway’s coast is in style for its round walks, award-winning sandy seashores and ‘spectacular’ diving, says its official web site, however its wealthy historical past is value exploring, too. It’s estimated that Inishbofin was inhabited way back to 4000 BC, the web site says. One of the vital visited landmarks is Oliver Cromwell’s Sixteenth Century Barracks, a memento of an particularly darkish interval in Irish historical past, the web site provides. Galwaytourism explains: ‘Through the horrible years of his campaigns, Inishbofin was remodeled right into a penal colony for Catholic clerics, and horrible atrocities had been wreaked on the islanders and on the unlucky clergymen he rounded up.’ Now, the island boasts a full of life occasions calendar with festivals and conventional Irish music, whereas quite a lot of hostels, B&Bs and campsites present a variety of lodging. Common ferries run from Cleggan pier, a 15-minute drive north of the coastal city of Clifden
Lambay Island, Co Dublin


The most important island off the east coast of Eire, Lambay is privately owned by the Baring household, so entry is restricted to guests who ebook considered one of their pre-arranged excursions. It’s shaped from a ‘stunning flecked inexperienced stone – porphyry’, says the Lambay web site, from which Neolithic inhabitants made ‘handsomely crafted stone axes’. Completely off-grid, the island is partially run on photo voltaic and wind power, with a objective to turn into fully self-sustainable, says the web site. The island can also be house to the Lambay whiskey distillery, and the micro-climate is ‘excellent for cask maturation’, says Lambay Whiskey. Unusually, Lambay is house to a troupe of wallabies, with the creatures first launched to the isle within the Fifties, in keeping with The Journal. A tour of the island accommodates as much as six or 12 folks, features a boat from the seaside city of Malahide, and prices between €780 to €2,700 (£665 to £2,303). Select from a historic structure tour, a nature stroll to see seals, deer, and the wallabies, or a ‘VIP Whiskey Expertise’ with a tasting and masterclass from a member of the Baring household
Arranmore Island, Co Donegal


Masking seven sq. miles (18 sq km), Arranmore is the second largest inhabited island off the coast of Eire and the most important of the Donegal islands. ‘Wild and untamed, the island has a wealthy and vibrant heritage and tradition and has been inhabited since prehistoric instances,’ says Arainnmhor.com. In 2019, after the island obtained high-speed web, it penned an open letter to the USA and Australia to entice new residents after its inhabitants fell to an all-time low of 469. In line with the Irish Submit, the letter learn: ‘You’ll have the most effective diving in Eire in your doorstep and seafood to rival the tastiest chowder. There are fewer folks right here than would slot in a few Amtrak carriages, however sufficient musicians and good Irish to maintain the social gathering going properly into the evening.’ Every year, the Swell Fest music and humanities pageant takes place on the island, and guests can hire electrical bikes to benefit from the isle’s ‘many gems’, the native tourism website reveals. ‘Freshwater lakes on the island are an anglers paradise providing brown and rainbow trout catches,’ it provides. The Arranmore Ferry departs from Burtonport, round a one-hour, 25-minute drive from Derry
Inishturk Beg, Co Mayo
![Located 5.5 miles (9km) off the west coast of Mayo, this small inhabited island is not to be confused with Inishturk South, which is found in County Galway. The island, with a name that means ¿the Island of the Wild Boar¿ in Irish, boasts a landscape of 'sheer cliffs and steep hills', with a coastline that's filled with 'unspoilt' beaches and 'stunning views', says the island's website. It notes: 'Tranaun Beach [on the west of the isle] has a green coast flag for its excellent quality of bathing water and natural unspoilt environment.' Visitors will discover the ruins of a Napoleonic signal tower atop one cliff, 688ft (210m) above sea level, and according to local folklore, the fort at Portdoon on the south side of the island was 'built by pirates who harboured their galleys in the creek below'. The website explains: 'The pirate crew were the last Danes in Ireland who knew how to make bier lochlannach, a mead [an alcoholic drink] which was made from the heather bloom.' Clare Island Fast Ferries run several sailings daily from Roonagh Pier, around a two-hour drive from Galway. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60437419-10829157-Located_5_5_miles_9km_off_the_west_coast_of_Mayo_this_small_inha-a-68_1659428106608.jpg)
![Located 5.5 miles (9km) off the west coast of Mayo, this small inhabited island is not to be confused with Inishturk South, which is found in County Galway. The island, with a name that means ¿the Island of the Wild Boar¿ in Irish, boasts a landscape of 'sheer cliffs and steep hills', with a coastline that's filled with 'unspoilt' beaches and 'stunning views', says the island's website. It notes: 'Tranaun Beach [on the west of the isle] has a green coast flag for its excellent quality of bathing water and natural unspoilt environment.' Visitors will discover the ruins of a Napoleonic signal tower atop one cliff, 688ft (210m) above sea level, and according to local folklore, the fort at Portdoon on the south side of the island was 'built by pirates who harboured their galleys in the creek below'. The website explains: 'The pirate crew were the last Danes in Ireland who knew how to make bier lochlannach, a mead [an alcoholic drink] which was made from the heather bloom.' Clare Island Fast Ferries run several sailings daily from Roonagh Pier, around a two-hour drive from Galway. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons](https://spritesparkparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/60437419-10829157-Located_5_5_miles_9km_off_the_west_coast_of_Mayo_this_small_inha-a-68_1659428106608.jpg)
Situated 5.5 miles (9km) off the west coast of Mayo, this small inhabited island is to not be confused with Inishturk South, which is present in County Galway. The island, with a reputation which means ‘the Island of the Wild Boar’ in Irish, boasts a panorama of ‘sheer cliffs and steep hills’, with a shoreline that’s full of ‘unspoilt’ seashores and ‘beautiful views’, says the island’s web site. It notes: ‘Tranaun Seaside [on the west of the isle] has a inexperienced coast flag for its wonderful high quality of bathing water and pure unspoilt setting.’ Guests will uncover the ruins of a Napoleonic sign tower atop one cliff, 688ft (210m) above sea degree, and in keeping with native folklore, the fort at Portdoon on the south aspect of the island was ‘constructed by pirates who harboured their galleys within the creek under’. The web site explains: ‘The pirate crew had been the final Danes in Eire who knew how you can make bier lochlannach, a mead [an alcoholic drink] which was produced from the heather bloom.’ Clare Island Quick Ferries run a number of sailings every day from Roonagh Pier, round a two-hour drive from Galway. Image courtesy of Artistic Commons
Garnish Island, Co Cork


This hidden gem, set within the harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, is a horticulturist’s delight. The island was owned by Annan and Violet Bryce within the early 1900s, who commissioned the panorama architect Harold Peto to rework the ‘comparatively barren rocky outcrop’ into ‘considered one of Europe’s best-known gardens’, also called the Gardens of Ilnacullin, the island’s web site reveals. ‘Pathways wind across the panorama, resulting in quite a lot of fascinating backyard buildings, such because the Grecian temple, the clock tower, the casita, and an unique Martello Tower,’ the web site provides. The island has attracted well-known guests through the years – it’s stated George Bernard Shaw as soon as likened it to ‘heaven’, and the author Agatha Christie left her signature within the island’s visitor ebook in 1959. The island is open to guests from April to November. Hop on a ferry from Glengarriff with both the Harbour Queen Ferry or the Blue Pool Ferry – the trip takes round 10 to fifteen minutes