Deep off the rugged coast of Ireland lies a pair of "secret" islands so breathtaking that they are frequently compared to tropical paradises. The Inishkea Islands - a pair of islands known as Inishkea North and Inishkea South in County Mayo - boast pristine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, usually reserved for the Caribbean.
Yet, despite their natural wonders, these islands have sat largely abandoned for nearly a century. Once home to a thriving community of over 300 residents in the 1800s, the islands were permanently evacuated in the 1930s. The exodus followed the tragic "Inishkea Drowning" of 1927, a devastating storm that claimed the lives of several local fishermen and prompted the remaining families to seek a safer, less remote life on the mainland.
Today, the islands stand as an eerie but beautiful ghost town. Visitors can wander through the ruins of stone cottages, an old schoolhouse and a tall white navigation tower that still stands guard over the Atlantic.
Inishkea North ("The Sacred Island") is best known for its early Christian history. It was home to a monastery founded by St. Colmcille in the 6th century. You can see "The Baileys" - three massive mounds made of sand and shells where monks once lived in beehive huts.
Meanwhile, on Inishkea South ("The Industrial Island"), you’ll find the main ghost village. It also holds the remains of a Norwegian whaling station, established in 1908 on the tidal island of Rusheen. You can still see the iron boilers used to process whale oil - a stark contrast to the surrounding natural beauty.
While humans have long since departed, nature has reclaimed the land. The islands are a sanctuary for a massive colony of Atlantic Grey Seals, puffins and barnacle geese and, if you're lucky enough to spot one, dolphins and whales passing through the Wild Atlantic Way. In fact, the islands are an International Site of Importance for birdlife.
Local folklore tells of the "Naomhóg" (a stone idol) kept on the islands for centuries, capable of calming the sea and protecting its people from storms. According to legend, it was eventually thrown into the sea by a frustrated priest who disapproved of the islanders' "pagan" devotion to the stone. Ironically, the Great Drowning occurred just a few decades later.
Located just two miles from the Mayo coast, the Inishkea Islands are accessible via a 40- to 50-minute boat trip from Belmullet. While camping was banned in 2023 to protect the delicate ecosystem, day-trippers are welcome to explore the hiking trails and take a dip in its waters, but be prepared to wrap up warmer than you would in the Caribbean. Since there are no shops, toilets, or residents on the islands, you have to be fully self-sufficient, so pack a lunch, plenty of water, a sturdy pair of shoes and a rain jacket, as the Atlantic weather can change in minutes.
