Ireland's 10 Most Fascinating Islands
Planning time on the islands in Ireland adds sea air, quiet trails, and wildlife to your trip. Use this guide to pick easy day trips and short stays that pair well with our walking and cycling routes.
At a glance
West coast showstoppers with cliff paths and puffins
Quiet harbour islands with loop walks and lighthouses
Easy access from Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Antrim
Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway
Stone-walled lanes, Atlantic views and the dramatic cliff fort of Dún Aonghasa. Hire bikes near the pier or walk quiet boreens between beaches.
Good to pair with: A Burren or Connemara day. See our self-guided Burren Way hikes for routes that link coastal villages.
Achill Island, County Mayo
Ireland’s largest island with beaches, blue bays and soaring cliffs at Croaghaun. A bridge makes access simple. Coastal loops range from easy sands to energetic headlands.
Good to pair with: The Greenway from Westport to Achill for traffic-free cycling.
Great Blasket Island, County Kerry
An uninhabited, storied island with white sand, seals and open views to the Atlantic. Weather rules sailings. Bring layers and food for a back-to-nature day.
Good to pair with: Dingle Peninsula trails. Try our self-guided Dingle Way for cliff paths and colourful villages.
Skellig Michael, County Kerry
A remarkable monastic site reached by licensed boats in season. Steep steps, nesting seabirds and wide horizons. Places are limited and seas can be lively.
Good to pair with: Ring of Kerry touring and shorter walks near Valentia and Portmagee.
Rathlin Island, County Antrim
A small island off the Causeway Coast with a lighthouse, puffin colony in season and calm lanes for walking or cycling.
Good to pair with: Our Antrim Glens and Causeway Coast hike.
Cape Clear Island, County Cork
A Gaeltacht island with birdlife, a heritage centre and offshore views to Fastnet. Waymarked loops start from North Harbour.
Good to pair with: West Cork touring and island-hopping with Sherkin or Garnish.
Sherkin Island, County Cork
A short ferry from Baltimore brings beaches, a ruined abbey and low-effort loop walks. Cafés and craft spots open in season.
Good to pair with: A relaxed day around Baltimore and Lough Hyne.
Bere Island, County Cork
Fortifications, quiet roads and sea views across Bantry Bay. Choose between two ferry crossings and follow signed walking loops.
Good to pair with: Beara Peninsula stages or a gentle cycle.
Clare Island, County Mayo
A lighthouse, high cliffs and a castle tied to Grace O’Malley. Trails rise quickly for big views over Clew Bay.
Good to pair with: Westport stays and coastal drives.
Garnish Island (Ilnacullin), County Cork
Sheltered gardens and sculptures set in Glengarriff’s island-dotted harbour. Short, level paths suit easy-going days.
Good to pair with: An afternoon on the Beara Peninsula.
How to choose your islands
Match the mood. Quiet nature on Rathlin or Bere. Landmark history on Skellig Michael or Inis Mór.
Check boats and bridges. Achill and Valentia are bridged. Others need ferries with weather-dependent schedules.
Balance the day. One island is plenty. Add a short coastal walk on the mainland for variety.
Travel light. Waterproofs, warm layers and grippy shoes suit piers and cliff paths.
Practical tips
Season: Sailings peak from May to September, with limited winter services.
Tickets: Pre-book popular trips such as Skellig Michael and the Aran ferries in summer.
Wildlife: Keep distance from nesting birds and seals. Use zoom rather than stepping closer.
Cash and cards: Small cafés may prefer cards or cash. Bring a back-up.
Overnights: A night on Cape Clear, Bere or Inis Mór gives quieter trails early and late.
Sample pairings with our trips
Dingle Peninsula + Great Blasket: Add an island day to our Dingle Way.
Burren + Aran Islands: Combine limestone landscapes with an Aran day trip on our Burren Way routes.
Causeway Coast + Rathlin: Fit a ferry and lighthouse visit into our Antrim Coast itineraries.
Kerry + Skelligs views: Not sailing? Walk Valentia and the Kerry cliffs on our guided Kingdom of Kerry hike.
FAQs
Can I bring a car?
Most visitors travel as foot passengers. Some islands allow limited vehicles, yet walking or cycling is simpler.
Are sailings weather dependent?
Yes. Atlantic conditions change quickly. Operators cancel if seas are unsafe. Keep a flexible plan.
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes with grip, a waterproof and warm layers. Add sunscreen and a hat in bright weather.
Where will I find food and water?
Carry water and snacks. Cafés open seasonally on popular islands. Check times at the pier.
Is Skellig Michael suitable for everyone?
No. It has steep, exposed stone steps and no handrails. If that feels too much, visit Valentia or take a non-landing boat tour instead.
Ready to weave islands into your Ireland trip?
Tell us your dates and comfort level. We will shape days that pair ferries, quiet trails and harbour towns at your pace.
Prefer company on the trail? Start with our guided small-group walking tours. Want flexibility without the bags? Explore our self-guided hiking tours with luggage transfer.
“Just got back form a great trip! Ireland Walk Hike and Bike is a service oriented touring company from the coordinator, Niamh, to our fantastic guide, Joe O’Donnell. They went out of their way on several occasions to assure we had the best walking tour of the Burren, Aran Islands and Connemara imaginable. The B&B’s were perfect. Thank you to all!”
DAVID D.
