Wikipedia

List of islands of County Mayo

This articles lists the islands of County Mayo, the mainland of which is part of the island of Ireland. Included in this list are named offshore and freshwater islands as recorded by Ordnance Survey Ireland or the Placenames Database of Ireland. Additionally, areas of ecological significance related to both offshore and freshwater islands, designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are also listed.

Map of County Mayo's western seaboard
Achill is Ireland's largest island
Clew Bay contains 141 named islands, along with numerous tidal islets[1]

Although County Mayo has hundreds of offshore and freshwater islands, only a handful of islands and island groups are large enough to be distinguishable on a typical map of the county, namely Achill Island, Clare Island and Inishturk, along with the island clusters of Duvillaun, Inishkea, Clew Bay and the major loughs. There are over 100 islands which are greater than 10 acres (4.0 ha) in area. The largest island is Achill, which extends to 148 km2 (37,000 acres), making it Ireland's largest offshore island.[2]

Due to its abundance of bays, inlets and offshore islands, Mayo is reputed to have the longest coastline of any county in Ireland, at 1,168 km (726 mi) or approximately 21% of the total coastline of the State.[3][4]

The geology and geomorphology of the county and its islands is among the most varied and complex in Ireland. Islands such as those at Clew Bay are low-lying, formed when rising sea levels drowned a vast field of drumlins, while others like Clare Island and Achill are characterised by mountains and towering sea-cliffs, of which Croaghaun are the third-highest in Europe, at 688 m (2,257 ft)[5]

The bedrock geology of the islands is broadly divided into two groups. Those north of Clew Bay such as Achill and the islands off the Mullet Peninsula are generally of ancient Dalradian age, similar to County Donegal and the Grampian Highlands. Inishglora contains some of the oldest rocks in Ireland, at 1.75 billion years old. Further south, the islands are much more diverse. Clare island alone is composed of Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian and Carboniferous terranes sutured together. Geologically, the Clew Bay islands themselves are the youngest in the county, formed during the Lower Carboniferous about 350 million years ago.[6]

The county's offshore islands - and islands off the west coast of Ireland generally - developed their own distinct culture and traditions stretching back centuries. Records from the 1841 Census show that 47 of County Mayo's offshore islands were inhabited, with a combined population of approximately 10,000.[n 1][7] The Great Famine resulted in widespread or total depopulation of the islands. Towards the end of the 19th century the population of the larger islands began to recover somewhat, only to be set back by emigration following independence as the Irish government initially encouraged the evacuation of the islands due to the cost of providing services to them, further hastening the decline.[8]

Today, the islands are recognised by the State as an integral part of Ireland's national heritage, preserving the remnants of a unique aspect of Irish culture. The remaining inhabited islands receive support and funding through the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.[9] As of the 2016 Census, there are 2,700 people living on 14 of the county's offshore islands (of which 2,440 live on Achill), accounting for 1.87% of the county's population.[10]

Islands of Mayo by population

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Demographics

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The 2016 census records 14 offshore islands as having a usually resident population. Achill has been connected to the mainland via bridge since 1887, making Clare Island the county's most populous unconnected island, with 159 inhabitants as of 2016. This makes Clare Island the fifth-most populous unconnected island in Ireland, after the three Aran Islands off Galway and Arranmore off County Donegal.[11]

 
Deserted village on Achill

Mayo County Council is responsible for the governance of the islands, and islanders are entitled to certain benefits and exemptions, such as lower motor tax rates.[12] The islands also receive funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as several offshore islands along with much of northwest Mayo are recognised Gaeltacht areas.

As many as 47 offshore islands had permanent populations prior to the Great Famine. Communities had resided on these islands for generations, and their remains can still be seen to this day through the villages, stone walls and lazybeds which they left behind. By the end of the 19th century most of the county's islands had been deserted. In contrast, Achill benefitted from a bridge to the mainland which allowed the population to temporarily rebound, reaching its all-time peak in 1911.

 
Fish curing on Clare Island, c. 1900

Emigration from the islands continued into the 20th-century as traditional industries such as fishing and textiles were unable to provide an attractive, or in many cases adequate, income to young islanders. In recent times, the islands have become a popular tourist destination and depend heavily on the tourism and hospitality sector. Their population swells during the summer months, particularly on Achill and Clare. Popular activities include surfing, sailing, island-hopping in Clew Bay, spiritual retreats and eco-tourism.[13]

The following table shows population trends for the fourteen currently inhabited islands as of the last census. The overall trend is a continuing decline in the population of Mayo's offshore islands, which is currently at a historic low. The county as a whole was one of just three in Ireland to record a population decrease between 2011 and 2016. The population of Mayo during this time decreased by 0.2%, whereas the population of the islands fell by 5.3%. Although the overall population fell during this time, four previously uninhabited islands received new residents, including Achillbeg, which had been uninhabited since 1965.[14]

Currently inhabited islands

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Rank Island Barony Population
2016 2011 1841 Peak Population
(if not 1841)
1 Achill Burrishoole 2,440 2,569 4,901 5,260 (1911)
2 Clare Murrisk 159 168 1,615
3 Inishturk Murrisk 51 53 577
4 Inis Bigil Erris 18 25 67 162 (1926)
5 Collanmore Burrishoole 7 4 213 215 (1851)
6 Inishnakillew Burrishoole 6 7 126
7 Inishlyre Burrishoole 4 4 113 122 (1851)
8 Clynish Burrishoole 4 4 87
9 Inish Turk Beg Burrishoole 4 10 57
10 Duvillaun More Erris 2 2 31
11 Collanbeg Burrishoole 2 0 4 9 (1861)
12 Achillbeg Burrishoole 1 0 178
13 Inishkea North Burrishoole 1 0 155
14 Rosbarnagh Burrishoole 1 0 42
Total 2,700 2,846 8,166
Change -5.3% -65.2% -

Formerly inhabited islands

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Island Barony Population
1841 Peak Population
(if not 1841) 		Year Abandoned
Rosmore Island Burrishoole 133
Moynish More Burrishoole 99 1881-1891
Island More Burrishoole 88
Rosturk Island Burrishoole 64
Inishkea South Erris 62 1934
Inishdaff Burrishoole 57
Inishgowla South Burrishoole 52
Inishtubbrid Burrishoole 42
Knockycahillaun Burrishoole 41
Inishcottle Burrishoole 40 45 (1911) 2011-2016
Derrinish Burrishoole 40
Inishquirk Burrishoole 37
Inisheeny Burrishoole 36
Annagh Islands Erris 33 1851
Illanataggart Burrishoole 33
Inishgort Burrishoole 32 35 (1871) 2006-2011
Crovinish Burrishoole 32
Inishoo Burrishoole 29
Bartragh Island Tirawley 28 1951
Inisherkin Burrishoole 28
Inishgowla Burrishoole 28
Inishnacross Burrishoole 27
Inishraher Burrishoole 25
Inishturlin Burrishoole 25
Inishkeel Burrishoole 23
Inishbee Burrishoole 20
Inishglora Erris 16
Eagle Island Erris 15 22 (1861) 1988
Dorinish Burrishoole 13 15 (1871) 1901
Inishbobunnan Burrishoole 13
Inishilra Burrishoole 12
Inishcooa Burrishoole 6
Barranagh Island Erris 0 1 (1874) late 1800s
Blackrock Island Erris 0 15 (1881) 1974
Roman Island Burrishoole 0 36 (1911) 1966-1971
Total 1,229

Islands of Mayo by area

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See also: List of islands of Ireland

Larger islands

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With the exception of Achill, County Mayo's islands are generally small in size, with only 13 larger than 100 acres (40 ha) and 3 larger than 1,000 acres (400 ha). There are numerous offshore islands in the 10 to 100 acre range, along with at least 15 freshwater islands larger than 10 acres, the largest of which is Illannaglashy on Lough Conn at 82 acres (33 ha).[15]

The one hundred largest islands in the county are listed below. "F" designates a freshwater island.

 
Achill
 
Clare Island
 
Inishturk
 
Bartragh Island
 
Inishkea South
 
Caher Island
 
Inish Turk Beg
 
Inishnakillew
 
Inishglora
 
Rosturk
 
Kid Island
 
Eagle Island
 
Inishraher
 
Dorinish
Island Irish name[n 2] Archipelago / Location Area
(Acres)[n 3] 		Highest Point[n 4]
Achill Acaill Achill Islands 36,572 688 m (2,257 ft)
Clare Oileán Chliara Clew Bay 4,053 462 m (1,516 ft)
Inishturk Inis Toirc Atlantic Islands 1,620 191 m (627 ft)
Inishbiggle Inis Bigil Achill Islands 637 34 m (112 ft)
Annagh Island Oileán an Eanaigh Achill Islands 627 23 m (75 ft)
Inishkea North Inis Gé Thuaidh Inishkea Islands 574 24 m (79 ft)
Bartragh Island An Bheartrach Killala Bay 477 26 m (85 ft)
Inishkea South Inis Gé Theas Inishkea Islands 389 72 m (236 ft)
Achillbeg Acaill Bheag Achill Islands 331 110 m (360 ft)
Collanmore Island Collainn Mhór Clew Bay 199 53 m (174 ft)
Duvillaun More Dubhoileán Mór Duvillaun Islands 177 63 m (207 ft)
Caher Island Cathair na Naomh Atlantic Islands 130 61 m (200 ft)
Rosmore Island An Ros Mór Newport Bay 116 28 m (92 ft)
Illannaglashy (F) Oileán na Glaise Lough Conn 82 27 m (89 ft)
Clynish Claínis Clew Bay 81 42 m (138 ft)
Island More An tOileán Mór Clew Bay 78 42 m (138 ft)
Barranagh Island Oileán Bearanach Blacksod Bay 74 7 m (23 ft)
Inish Turk Beg Inis Toirc Bheag Clew Bay 64 53 m (174 ft)
Inishnakillew Inis na Coilleadh Newport Bay 64 27 m (89 ft)
Moynish More Maínis Mór Clew Bay 62 37 m (121 ft)
Inishglora Inis Gluaire Atlantic Islands 60 22 m (72 ft)
Inishbee Inis Bí Newport Bay 56 29 m (95 ft)
Duvillaun Beg Dubhoileán Beag Duvillaun Islands 53 14 m (46 ft)
Rosbarnagh Island Oileán Ros Bairneach Newport Bay 53 37 m (121 ft)
Inishlyre Inis Ladhair Dorinish Harbour 52 26 m (85 ft)
Annagh Island East An tEanach Thoir Wesport Bay 48 9 m (30 ft)
Annagh Island (F) Oileán an Eanaigh Lough Conn 45 23 m (75 ft)
Inishtubbrid Inis Tiobrad Newport Bay 41 28 m (92 ft)
Inishdaff Inis Damh Newport Bay 40 31 m (102 ft)
Inishower (F) Inis Odhar Furnace Lough 36 16 m (52 ft)
Knockycahillaun Cnoc Uí Chathaláin Clew Bay 35 36 m (118 ft)
Carrigeenamore (F) An Carraigín Mór Lough Mask 35 22 m (72 ft)
Bleanmore Island An Bhléan Mhór Corraun Peninsula 34 14 m (46 ft)
Rosturk Island Ros Toirc Newport Bay 34 24 m (79 ft)
Inishgowla Inis Gabhla Newport Bay 33 28 m (92 ft)
Inishdegil More Inis Téigil Mór Atlantic Islands 32 12 m (39 ft)
Inishkeeragh Inis Caorach Atlantic Islands 32 17 m (56 ft)
Kid Island Oileán Mionnán Broadhaven Bay 32 86 m (282 ft)
Illanataggart Oileán an tSagairt Clew Bay 32 28 m (92 ft)
Carrickmoylenacurhoga Carraig Bhéal na gCaróg Inishkea Islands 32 14 m (46 ft)
Inishquirk Inis Coirce Newport Bay 32 44 m (144 ft)
Inishgort Inis Goirt Clew Bay 31 29 m (95 ft)
Inishsherkin Inis Earcáin Newport Bay 31 30 m (98 ft)
Inishkeel Inis Caol Newport Bay 30 27 m (89 ft)
Crovinish Croibhinis Dorinish Harbour 29 23 m (75 ft)
Derrinish Dairinis Newport Bay 29 21 m (69 ft)
Inishraher Inis Raithir Westport Bay 29 33 m (108 ft)
Inishlaughil Inis Leamhchoille Newport Bay 28 45 m (148 ft)
Bartraw Island An Bheartrach Westport Bay 28 13 m (43 ft)
Inishgowla South Inis Gabhla Theas Westport Bay 28 20 m (66 ft)
Inishnacross Inis na Croise Newport Bay 27 36 m (118 ft)
Inisheeny Inis Aonaigh Westport Bay 27 22 m (72 ft)
Muckinish Muicinis Newport Bay 26 37 m (121 ft)
Annaghroe Island (F) An tEanach Rua Lough Conn 25 18 m (59 ft)
Glassillan An Glasoileán Achill Island 25 23 m (75 ft)
Inishcottle Inis Cotail Newport Bay 25 26 m (85 ft)
Inishgleasty (F) Inis Gléasta Lough Mask 24 37 m (121 ft)
Inishbobunnan Inis Bó Bonnán Newport Bay 24 31 m (102 ft)
Eagle Island Oileán sa Tuaidh Atlantic Islands 23 60 m (200 ft)
Roeillaun Rua-oileán Clew Bay 23 33 m (108 ft)
Inishloy Inis Láí Newport Bay 23 10 m (33 ft)
Inishcooa Inis Cua Newport Bay 23 27 m (89 ft)
Long Island (F) An tOileán Fada Lough Mask 22 25 m (82 ft)
Rabbit Island Oileán Bhríde Clew Bay 21 22 m (72 ft)
Inishrobe (F) Inis Róba Lough Mask 21 30 m (98 ft)
Inishturlin Inis Tuirlinge Newport Bay 21 27 m (89 ft)
Inishcuill Inis Coill Newport Bay 21 28 m (92 ft)
Derreens Island (F) An Doirín Carrowmore Lake 20 8 m (26 ft)
Dorinish Deoirinis Clew Bay 20 30 m (98 ft)
Roslynagh Ros Laighneach Clew Bay 18 33 m (108 ft)
Illannambraher East Oileán na mBráthar Thoir Clew Bay 18 28 m (92 ft)
Carrickawilt Carraig an Mhoilt Inishkea Islands 18 9 m (30 ft)
Inishoght (F) Inis Uicht Lough Mask 18 25 m (82 ft)
Collanbeg Island Collainn Bheag Clew Bay 17 25 m (82 ft)
Inishoo Inis Uamha Clew Bay 17 32 m (105 ft)
Annagh Island West An tEanach Thiar Westport Bay 17 11 m (36 ft)
Inishdaweel Inis Dá Mhaol Clew Bay 16 38 m (125 ft)
Carrigee Carraig Aodha Inishkea Islands 16 15 m (49 ft)
River Island (F) Oileán na hAbhann Lough Mask 16 13 m (43 ft)
Saints Island (F) Inis Na Naomh Lough Mask 16 30 m (98 ft)
Inishdurra (F) Inis Dura Lough Mask 16 32 m (105 ft)
Inishleague Inis Liag Wesport Bay 16 24 m (79 ft)
Baunros More Bánros Mór Killala Bay 15 13 m (43 ft)
Inishdalla Inis Deala Atlantic Islands 15 27 m (89 ft)
Inishdasky Inis Teasctha Clew Bay 15 30 m (98 ft)
Annaghteige Island (F) Eanach Thaidhg Lough Conn 15 27 m (89 ft)
Rabbit Island Oileán Bhríde Newport Bay 15 28 m (92 ft)
Illandavuck Oileán Dhabhaic Atlantic Islands 14 56 m (184 ft)
Conors Island (F) Oileán Chonchúir Lough Carra 14 20 m (66 ft)
Inishfesh Inis Feise Clew Bay 13 10 m (33 ft)
Inishaghoo Inis Achadh Achill Islands 13 20 m (66 ft)
Carrigeenagur Island (F) Carraigín na gCorr Lough Mask 13 23 m (75 ft)
Pig Island (F) Oileán na Muice Lough Mask 13 28 m (92 ft)
Illannambraher West Oileán na mBráthar Thiar Clew Bay 12 25 m (82 ft)
Inishkee Inis Caoich Clew Bay 12 14 m (46 ft)
Inishdoonver Inis Dúnmhar Clew Bay 12 25 m (82 ft)
Lambs Island (F) Oileán na nUan Lough Mask 12 11 m (36 ft)
Devenish Island (F) Daimhinis Lough Mask 12 30 m (98 ft)
Annagh Island Middle An tEanach Lár Westport Bay 12 7 m (23 ft)
Goose Island Inis na nGé Killala Bay 12 12 m (39 ft)

Smaller offshore islands

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County Mayo has hundreds of smaller islands and islets. Most of the county's offshore islands are located in Clew Bay, with smaller clusters located around the Achill archipelago, the west and south coasts of the Mullet Peninsula, and Blacksod Bay. The list below is not exhaustive, and includes named offshore islands that are either extensive (typically greater than 2 acres in area) or in someway locally significant or identifiable.

Unlike the above list, this list is in alphabetical order and does not include freshwater islands.

 
Map of Clew Bay (1890)
 
Small islands in Clew Bay
 
The Stags
 
Mweelaun
 
Inishdaugh
 
Inishdalla
 
Islet off Killadoon
 
Bills Rocks
 
Dún Briste
 
Blackrock Island
Island Irish name Archipelago / Location
Annagh Island Oileán an Eanaigh Mullet Peninsula
Ardillaun Ardoileán Killala Bay
Attimonbeg Áth Tíomáin Beag Killala Bay
Baunros Beg Bánros Beag Killala Bay
Baunros More Bánros Mór Killala Bay
Beetle Island North Oileán an tSindile Thuaidh Clew Bay
Beetle Island South Oileán an tSindile Theas Clew Bay
Bills Rocks Carraig Bill Atlantic Islands
Blackrock Island An Tor Atlantic Islands
Buddagh An Chailleach Benwee Head
Calf Island Oileán an Ghamhna Clew Bay
Calf Island Oileán an Ghamhna Killala Bay
Camel Island Oileán Camall Newport Bay
Carrickduff An Charraig Dhubh Mullet Peninsula
Carrickduff An Charraig Dhubh North Mayo Coast
Carrickhesk Carraig Sheisc Mullet Peninsula
Carricknaronty Carraig na Rónta Atlantic Islands
Carricknaronty North Carraig na Rónta Thuaidh Mullet Peninsula
Carricknaweeloge Carraig na bhFaoileog Mullet Peninsula
Carrigeenglass North An Carraigín Glas Thuaidh Clew Bay
Cone Island Oileán an Chuain Mullet Peninsula
Corillan Corroileán Westport Bay
Carrigeenaveagh Carraigín na bhFiach Clew Bay
Cregnarullah Sceir na Roilleach Mullet Peninsula
Cross Rock An Charraig Dhubh Mullet Peninsula
Doonvinalla An Dúna Benwee Head
Doonbristy Island Dún Briste North Mayo Coast
Dooneen Island An Dúnín Uggool Beach
Finnaun Island Fionnán Westport Bay
Forillan Foroileán Westport Bay
Freaghillan Fraochoileán Killala Bay
Freaghillan East Fraochoileán Thoir Newport Bay
Freaghillanluggagh Fraochoileán Logach Newport Bay
Glassillaun Glasoileán North Mayo Coast
Green Island An tOileán Glas Westport Bay
Green Island An tOileán Glas Killala Bay
Heath Island Oileán Fraoigh Corraun Peninsula
Horse Island Oileán na gCapall North Mayo Coast
Illancroagh Oileán Cruaiche Corraun Peninsula
Illanleamnahelty Oileán Léim na hEilte Atlantic Islands
Illanmaster Oileán Máistir North Mayo Coast
Illanmaw Má-oileán Clew Bay
Illannaconney Oileán an Chonnaidh Clew Bay
Illannakanoge Oileán na gCánóg North Mayo Coast
Illannamona Oileán na Móna Achill Islands
Illaunatee Oileán an Tí Clew Bay
Illaunroe An tOileán Rua Clew Bay
Inishacrick Inis an Chnoic Clew Bay
Inishbollog Inis Bolg Clew Bay
Inishcannon Inis Ceannann Newport Bay
Inishcoragh Inis Córach Newport Bay
Inishcorky Inis Corcaí Clew Bay
Inishdaugh Inis Deách Clew Bay
Inishdeash Beg Inis Déise Beag Clew Bay
Inishdeash More Inis Déise Mór Clew Bay
Inishderry Inis Doire Mullet Peninsula
Inishilra Inis Iolra Clew Bay
Inishimmel Inis Imill Westport Bay
Inishlaghan Inis Lachan Clew Bay
Inishlim Inis Loim Clew Bay
Inishmolt Inis Molt Newport Bay
Kid Island East Oileán na Meannán Newport Bay
Mauherillan Máthairoileán Newport Bay
Money Beg An Muine Bheag Clew Bay
Moynish Beg Maínis Beag Clew Bay
Mweelaun Mhaoilinne Atlantic Islands
Pig Island Oileán na Muice North Mayo Coast
Quinsheen Island Cuinsín Clew Bay
Roeillan Rua-oileán Achill Islands
Rosnambraher Ros na mBráthar Newport Bay
Sloe Island Oileán na nAirní Westport Bay
The Stags Na Stacaí Benwee Head
Toghercloheen Barr na Spince North Mayo Coast
Torduff An Tor Dubh North Mayo Coast

Freshwater islands

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See also: List of loughs of County Mayo and List of inland islands of Ireland

There are numerous large loughs within the county, containing hundreds of small freshwater islands. Lough Mask in southern Mayo is the largest lough in the county. At 83 km2 (21,000 acres) it is the 6th-largest lough in Ireland (as well as the 6th-largest in Britain and Ireland). Further south, Lough Corrib is the 2nd-largest lough in Ireland; however, only a small portion of this lough is located within the county.[16]

Illannaglashy, on Lough Conn, is the largest freshwater island in the county, at 82 acres (33 ha) in area. Freshwater islands have played an important role in the county's history and host an abundance of castles, monasteries, church ruins and unspoiled woodlands.

Lough Mask

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Loughs of northern Mayo
 
Loughs of southern Mayo
 
Lough Corrib
 
Lough Mask
 
Lough Conn
 
Lough Carra
 
Lough Beltra
 
Carrowmore Lake
 
Lough Cullin
 
Islandeady Lough
  • Note: The vast majority of Lough Mask is within County Mayo, with a small southern portion of the lough located in County Galway. This list only includes islands which are within the boundary of County Mayo.
  • Aghinish
  • Bed Island
  • Bilberry Island
  • Black Island
  • Black Island
  • Board Island
  • Carrigeen Island
  • Carrigeen Middle
  • Carrigeenabreana
  • Carrigeenagur Island
  • Carrigeenamore
  • Carrigeenavilla
  • Carrigeenaweelaun
  • Carrigeenbaun
  • Carrigeenbunnahown
  • Carrigeendany Islands
  • Carrigeenduree
  • Carrigeenfair Island
  • Carrigeenkeelagh
  • Carrigeenmauntrasna
  • Carrigeennagool
  • Carrigeennalogh
  • Carrigeennasassonagh
  • Carrigeenowen
  • Carrigeenshangorman
  • Castle Hag
  • Cow Island
  • Dash Island
  • Devenish Island
  • Doran Islands
  • Goat Island
  • Green Island
  • Gull Island
  • Flag Island
  • Heath Island
  • Illan Columbkille
  • Illanboe Beg
  • Illanboe More
  • Illandawaur
  • Ingon Island
  • Inishangan
  • Inishdurra
  • Inishgleasty
  • Inishoght
  • Inishowenlackboy
  • Inishrobe
  • Kid Island
  • Lackboy
  • Lamb Island
  • Long Island
  • Long Islands
  • Lusteen Beg
  • Lusteen More
  • Nut Island
  • Oak Island
  • Pig Island
  • Rams Island
  • Rialisk
  • Ringolden
  • River Island
  • Saints Island
  • Seerillaun
  • Shangorman
  • Shrub Island
  • Thick Island
  • Whiteland Island

Lough Carra

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  • Ballycally Island
  • Bird Island
  • Bonnianillish Island
  • Bush Island
  • Carrigeennagat Island
  • Castle Island
  • Castlehag Island
  • Church Island
  • Conors Island
  • Cow Islands
  • Crane Island
  • Creevagh Island
  • Deer Island
  • Derrinrush Island
  • Derrynafresha Island
  • Doonbeg Island North
  • Doonbeg Island South
  • Gleneary Island
  • Hog Island
  • Horse Island
  • Illanatrim
  • Kiln Island
  • Lady's Island
  • Lakeview Island
  • Leamnahye Island
  • Long Island
  • Mearing Island
  • Otter Island
  • Otter Island
  • Otter Islands
  • Pleasure Island
  • Priest Island
  • Rat Island
  • Stare Island
  • Stony Island

Lough Corrib

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  • Note: The vast majority of Lough Corrib is within County Galway, with a small northern portion of the lough located in County Mayo. This list only includes islands which are within the boundary of County Mayo.
  • Abbots Rock
  • Ballycurrin Island
  • Bartragh Island
  • Bertragh Islands
  • Blackderry Island
  • Blackderry Rock
  • Bushy Island
  • Camillaun
  • Carrigeen
  • Castletown Rock
  • Cornelian Islands
  • Crow Islands
  • Dog Islands
  • Easter Island
  • Flower Island
  • Gibbs Islands
  • Grass Island
  • Green Island
  • Green Island East
  • Holy Island
  • Inishkeeragh Island
  • Island Morris
  • Kilmore
  • Kilmorebeg
  • Matthew Island
  • Mine Island
  • Mucky Island
  • Oak Island
  • Prison Islands
  • Rabbit Island
  • Red Island
  • Salmon Island
  • Salmon Point Island
  • Sloe Island
  • Whiskey Island

Lough Conn

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  • Annagh Island
  • Annaghroe Island
  • Annaghteige Island
  • Bears Island
  • Burnt Island
  • Carnaweelan Island
  • Castle Island
  • Chain Island
  • Cliff Island
  • Coarse Island
  • Cragh Islands
  • Creeve Island
  • Freaghillan
  • Illanaghty
  • Illanaloughaun
  • Illanbeg
  • Illannaglashy
  • Inishlee Island
  • Longford Island
  • Loosky Island
  • Rinard Island
  • Rocky Island
  • Roe Island
  • Sandy Island

Smaller lakes

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Lough Cullin

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  • Griffins Island
  • Illanboy
  • Illaner
  • Illangub
  • Illanneill
  • Illanulque

Lough Beltra

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  • Bush Island
  • Coarse Island
  • Islandmore
  • Low Island
  • Tree Island

Carrowmore Lake

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  • Atlavally Island
  • Derreens Island
  • Gortmore Island
  • Muingerroon Island

Furnace Lough

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  • Illanroe
  • Inishower
  • Saints Island

Islandeady Lough

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  • Note: Despite being a small lough, Islandeady had three sizeable islands, at 38, 21 and 20 acres respectively. However, due to the lowering of waterlevels in the 20th century the three islands are now peninsulas.
  • Illanlteige East
  • Illanteige West
  • Islandeady

Monastic islands

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See also: List of monastic houses in County Mayo
 
Clare Island Abbey

Six islands within County Mayo have had a dedicated monastery or abbey established on them. Four of these are offshore, and two of these are freshwater islands. They are listed below:

  • Church Island Monastery (F)
  • Clare Island Abbey
  • Duvillaun Monastery
  • Inishkea North Monastery
  • Inishglora Monastery
  • Partry Monastery (F)

In addition to the above sites, many more islands within the county have been used for religious purposes. The ruins of old churches and cemeteries can be found scattered across such islands.

Biodiversity

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Many of the county's offshore and freshwater islands are designated as areas of ecological significance and are protected both at national and European level. Mayo's offshore islands are a haven for wildlife and biodiversity, supporting hundreds of species of bird, fish and marine mammal, as well as unique vegetation. Five of the county's major inland lakes (along with their islands) are also protected, those being Lough Mask, Lough Conn, Lough Cullin, Lough Carra and Carrowmore Lake.[17]

The biodiversity of the islands is protected under the following designations. There is overlap across designations, as different designations apply to different species, e.g. the Duvillaun Islands are an SAC, SPA and proposed NHA.

  • Special Area of Conservation (SAC) - These are prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to be important on a European as well as Irish level.
  • Special Protection Area (SPA) - Classified under the EU Birds Directive for the protection of endangered species of wild birds.
  • Natural Heritage Area (NHA) - This is an area considered important for the habitats present or which holds species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection.

The following areas of ecological significance are located either on or adjacent to County Mayo's offshore islands. The five major inland lakes listed as SPAs are also included, and are shown in italics in the list below.

 
Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)
 
Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
 
Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
 
Bog cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium)
 
Razorbill (Alca torda)
 
Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
 
Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
 
Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)

Special areas of conservation

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See also: List of Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland
  • Mullet/Blacksod Bay Complex
  • West Connacht Coast
  • Erris Head
  • Inishkea Islands
  • Duvillaun Islands
  • Broadhaven Bay
  • Killala Bay/Moy Estuary
  • Croaghaun/Slievemore
  • Achill Head
  • Keel Machair/Menaun Cliffs
  • Doogort Machair/Lough Doo
  • Clew Bay Complex
  • Corraun Plateau
  • Lough Gall Bog
  • Clare Island Cliffs

Special protection areas

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Italics indicates that the SPA is an inland lake

  • Blacksod Bay/Broadhaven Bay
  • Inishglora and Inishkeeragh
  • Inishkea Islands
  • Duvillaun Islands
  • Stags of Broad Haven
  • Illanmaster
  • Killala Bay/Moy Estuary
  • Doogort Machair
  • Bills Rocks
  • Clare Island
  • Mullet Peninsula
  • Termoncarragh Lake & Annagh Machair
  • Lough Mask
  • Lough Conn & Lough Cullin
  • Lough Carra
  • Carrowmore Lake

Natural heritage areas

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  • Tullaghan Bay & Bog
  • Doogort East Bog
  • Sraheens Bog

Proposed natural heritage areas

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  • Killala Bay/Moy Estuary
  • Glenamoy Bog Complex
  • Stags Of Broadhaven
  • Broadhaven Bay
  • Erris Head
  • Eagle Island
  • Mullet/Blacksod Bay Complex
  • Inishglora & Inishkeeragh
  • Inishkea Islands
  • Duvillaun Islands
  • Croaghaun/Slievemore
  • Doogort Machair/Lough Doo
  • Inishgalloon
  • Keel Machair/Menaun Cliffs
  • Corraun Plateau
  • Lough Gall Bog
  • Bills Rocks
  • Clare Island
  • Clew Bay Complex
  • Mweelaun Island
  • Caher Island
  • Ballybeg Island
  • Inishturk
  • Inishdalla
  • Frehill Island
  • Inishdegil Islands

Island index

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Notes

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  1. ^ This refers solely to the islands contained within the present-day boundary of County Mayo. In 1841 several other islands in the area, including Inishbofin and Inishshark, were under the jurisdiction of County Mayo. These were legally transferred to County Galway in 1873 and are not included in this list.
  2. ^ Taken from the Placenames Database of Ireland
  3. ^ Where available, area is from Ordnance Survey Ireland's Cassini 6" maps. Otherwise area is from 19th-century 6" maps (both viewable via the Historic 6" layer of the link in the OS-map column)
  4. ^ Unless stated otherwise, height is from Ordnance Survey Ireland's 1:50,000 series maps (viewable for Republic of Ireland islands via the Wind Report layer of the link in the OS-map column )

References

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  1. ^ "The Story of Clew Bay from Granuaile to John Lennon". irishtimes.com. The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Ireland's Island Day-Trips". osi.ie. Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Irish Coastal Habitats: A Study of Impacts on Designated Conservation Areas" (PDF). heritagecouncil.ie. Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Mayo County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy" (PDF). mayococo.ie. Mayo County Council. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Croaghaun Mountain, Achill, 688m". mountainviews.ie. mountainviews. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Geology of County Mayo" (PDF). geoschol.com. geoschol.ie. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Population of Offshore Islands since 1841 by Sex, Islands by Electoral Division and CensusYear". CSO.ie. CSO. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  8. ^ "The pub goes, the priest goes, the people go': New radio documentary explores evacuation of Ireland's islands". TheJournal.ie. The Journal. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Gaeltacht - Islands". chg.gov.ie. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Population of Inhabited Islands Off the Coast 2011 to 2016 by Sex, Islands and CensusYear". Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Population Distribution and Movements". CSO.ie. CSO. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Island Vehicles". mayococo.ie. May County Council. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Offshore Islands in County Mayo". mayoireland.ie. Mayo Ireland. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Latest Census Shows Further Decline in Island Population". thereek.ie. The Reek. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  15. ^ "OSI Maps, 6" Cassini Maps". osi.ie. Ordnance Survey Ireland. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  16. ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland: Mountains, Rivers and Lakes
  17. ^ National Parks and Wildlife Service - Protected Sites

See also

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