What's the story here?

The Inishkea Islands lie almost parallel to and within 2 miles of the western side of Mullet Peninsula. The group consists of Inishkea South and Inishkea North, separated by a narrow channel, and numerous rocks and shoals. At the inner end of which, and on the north side of Rusheen Island, there is anchorage for small vessels in fine weather, but the holding ground is not good. A small quay lies on the northeastern extremity of Inishkea South near the deserted village and protected by Rusheen Island.

The best protection can be found in the anchorage to the north of Rusheen Island. It is also possible to anchor off the small quay.

How to get in?

Use western Ireland’s coastal overview from Slyne Head to Erris Head for approaches. Blacksod Bay is entered between the southern extremity of Mullet Peninsula and Achill Island 4 miles east by southeast.

Inishkea South can be positively identified by a rounded grassy hill, 66 metres high, with two white beacons, a flagstaff, and a chimney on its summit. The island is separated from a group of above-water rocks which lie within ½ mile of its southern end by a narrow deep channel. But this channel should be used only by vessels with local knowledge.

Vessels approaching from the south should give Turduvillaun in order to avoid the dangers off its western side.

Vessels approaching from the north should keep clear of Inishkea North, and the other island of the group, that are surrounded by foul ground on all except its steep-to western side. The primary danger for the anchorage is Pluddany Rock. This is a dangerous drying ledge that extends about 1,100 metres eastward from the southeastern end of Inishkea North. Vessels approaching from the north may use the alignment of 198° T of Turduvillaun, the little western hummocky islet off Duvillaun More, and the Ears of Achill, 5¾ miles farther along south-by-southwest, as best seen on Admiralty Chart 2704 to pass 300 metres clear Pluddany Rock.

The currents set through the above channels at a maximum rate of about 2 knots at springs.



Anchor according to draft to the north of Rusheen Island or, conditions permitting, to the southwest of the island off of the pier.

The best spot for a beach landing is in the rounded bay in the southeast below the abandoned village, but there are other spots at various beaches around the island and one just short of the northern tip is where a seal colony resides.

Why visit here?

The name Inishkea Islands in Irish Gaelic is Inis Ge meaning islands of the geese, but it is thought that originally the name was for Naomh Geidh or Saint Ge.

Despite their location and extreme exposure, the Inishkea islands North and South were first colonised in Neolithic times and were then early Christian outposts around the 6th to 9th centuries. The ruins of St. Colmcille's church and some bee-hive cells can be explored on Inishkea North. The first written reference to the islands was a letter from Pope Innocent III appointing a local Bishop in 1198. The islands were re-populated in the 18th century, and there was a thriving and stable Irish community into the mid 20th century who fared relatively well during the mid 19C potato famine as the prevailing westerly winds did not spread the blight offshore, and farming, fishing and salvage from wrecks could provide the islanders with a living.

In the Civil War of 1922/23 the two islands famously took opposing sides with consequences which now appear comical. The north island took the pro-treaty side and the South island took the Republican side, and on one occasion they both formed up on either side of the narrow channel between the two islands and hurled rocks at each other.

The disaster of 1927 dealt a major blow to the Inishkea's and their neighbouring islands. Late October was marked by strong and persistent southwesterly winds, but on the afternoon of the 28th, it was calm enough for herring boats to put to sea from several ports. However, an intense secondary depression then swept through, producing strong southeasterlies quickly veering north-west and strengthening to severe gale force with steep and confused seas. Many of the boats which were under oars or sail, foundered or were swept helplessly ashore. Forty-four young fishermen lost their lives, of which ten were from the Inishkea's, and fishing is a family business many were related. The communities never recovered and shortly after in the early 1930's the inhabitants of both North and South Inishkea left the islands.

Today the islands are mainly used for grazing and are a major breeding ground for Atlantic seals and colonies of sea birds. The derelict cottages still stand, some of them being renovated for holiday homes, or as summer fishing bases. The islands are little known outside the local area but are well known by fishermen who regularly use the island's harbour.

The Inishkea's are relatively low lying islands, and their landscape is covered with machair (grasses, heathers and heath) and fine white sand that is often blown in drifts by the strong winds, especially along the beach on the South island beside the harbour where it drifts and fills the houses of the abandoned village with their floors covered in several feet of the sand. With their sandy beaches, the landscape dominated by machair, and the oceanic environment, the Inishkea's much resemble the islands of the Outer Hebrides.

The south island is perhaps the more attractive and has the advantage of a sheltered beach landing-place below the ruins of the abandoned village beside a stone pier. Good reliable water can usually be had in a small well 100 metres south of the pier just above the first beach where the sand meets the grass. There are no other facilities available.

The north island is separated from the South by a narrow sound, and its most visible feature is a huge burial mound just east of the old village at the southeastern tip, its humpbacked shape is dominant from most angles. The dead of both islands were buried on the north island.



From a boating point of view these are outstandingly beautiful and pleasant islands, not to be missed if sailing in the area.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilties available at this location.

With thanks to:

Michael Harpur eOceanic.