List of islands of County Mayo

Last updated December 30, 2023

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.

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

Demographics

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]

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.

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

Rank	Island	Barony	Population
Rank	Island	Barony	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

Island	Barony	Population
Island	Barony	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

Larger islands

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.

Clare Island Clareisland2.jpg — Clare Island

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lough Cullin

Griffins Island
Illanboy
Illaner
Illangub
Illanneill
Illanulque

Lough Beltra

Bush Island
Coarse Island
Islandmore
Low Island
Tree Island

Carrowmore Lake

Atlavally Island
Derreens Island
Gortmore Island
Muingerroon Island

Furnace Lough

Illanroe
Inishower
Saints Island

Islandeady Lough

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

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

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.

Special areas of conservation

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

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

Tullaghan Bay & Bog
Doogort East Bog
Sraheens Bog

Proposed natural heritage areas

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

Notes

↑ 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.
↑ Taken from the Placenames Database of Ireland
↑ 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)
↑ 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 )

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Achill Island</span> Island off the western coast of Ireland, in County Mayo

Achill Island is the largest of the Irish isles and lies off the west coast of Ireland in County Mayo. It has a population of 2,345. Its area is 148 km² (57 sq mi). Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Achill Sound and Polranny. A bridge was first completed here in 1887. Other centres of population include the villages of Keel, Dooagh, Dooega, Dooniver, and Dugort. The parish's main Gaelic football pitch and secondary school are on the mainland at Polranny. Early human settlements are believed to have been established on Achill around 3000 BC. The island is 87% peat bog. The parish of Achill consists of Achill Island, Achillbeg, Inishbiggle and the Corraun Peninsula.

County Mayo is a county in Ireland. In the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, it is named after the village of Mayo, now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority. The population was 137,231 at the 2022 census. The boundaries of the county, which was formed in 1585, reflect the Mac William Íochtar lordship at that time.

Ireland is an island in Northern Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean. The island lies on the European continental shelf, part of the Eurasian Plate. The island's main geographical features include low central plains surrounded by coastal mountains. The highest peak is Carrauntoohil, which is 1,039 metres (3,409 ft) above sea level. The western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays. The island is bisected by the River Shannon, which at 360.5 km (224 mi) with a 102.1 km (63 mi) estuary is the longest river in Ireland and flows south from County Cavan in Ulster to meet the Atlantic just south of Limerick. There are a number of sizeable lakes along Ireland's rivers, of which Lough Neagh is the largest.

Clare Island, also historically Inishcleer, is a mountainous island guarding the entrance to Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland. Historically part of the kingdom of Umhaill, it is famous as the home of the 16th century pirate queen Gráinne O'Malley. The population of the island is 138 according to the 2022 census. To the south-west lies Inishturk (inhabited) and Caher Island (uninhabited), and to the north is Achill Island.

Caher Island, an uninhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, is situated between the larger Clare Island and Inishturk.

Erris is a barony in northwestern County Mayo in Ireland consisting of over 230,452 acres (932.61 km²), much of which is mountainous blanket bog. It has extensive sea coasts along its west and north boundaries. The main towns are Belmullet and Bangor Erris. The name Erris derives from the Irish 'Iar Ros' meaning 'western promontory'. The full name is the Iorrais Domnann, after the Fir Bolg tribe, the Fir Domnann. To its north is the wild Atlantic Ocean and the bays of Broadhaven and Sruth Fada Conn and to its west is Blacksod Bay. Its main promontories are the Doohoma Peninsula, Mullet Peninsula, Erris Head, the Dún Chiortáin and Dún Chaocháin peninsulas and Benwee Head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mullet Peninsula</span> Peninsula in County Mayo, Ireland

The Mullet Peninsula —also known as the Mullet and sometimes as the Erris Peninsula—is a peninsula in the barony of Erris in County Mayo, Ireland. As of 2016 it has a population of 3963. It consists of a large promontory connected to the mainland at Belmullet, a town of about 1,000 inhabitants, by a narrow isthmus. There are several villages on the Mullet peninsula including Aughleam, Elly, Corclough and Binghamstown. The Peninsula is about 33 km (21 mi) long and ranges from 200 metres (660 ft) to 12 km (7.5 mi) wide. Its northernmost point is Erris Head. The peninsula's doglegged shape forms two bays, Blacksod Bay and Broadhaven Bay.

Glenamoy is a village on the R314 road in the parish of Kilcommon, Erris in the northern part of County Mayo in Ireland.

Doohoma or Doohooma is a townland, peninsula and a census town in the County Mayo Gaeltacht, Ireland. It is located on Ireland's Atlantic coastline overlooking Achill Island and the Mullet Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corraun Peninsula</span> Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland

The Corraun Peninsula, also spelt Currane, is a peninsula in County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland. It extends out from the mainland towards Achill Island.

Blacksod Bay is a bay of the Atlantic Ocean in Erris, north County Mayo, Ireland. The 16 km (9.9 mi) long and 8 km (5.0 mi) wide bay is bounded on its western side by the Mullet Peninsula. Its eastern side includes Kiltane Parish, which extends southwards from Belmullet towards Gweesalia and Doohoma.

Tóin an tSeanbhaile is a small village located on the north east point of Achill Island, Ireland. It lies within the Mayo Gaeltacht.

Broadhaven Bay is a natural bay of the Atlantic Ocean on the northwestern coast of County Mayo, Ireland. The opening of the bay faces northward, stretching 8.6 km between Erris Head in the west and Kid Island/Oileán Mionnán in the east.

Carrowmore Lake is situated in the parishes of Belmullet, Kiltane and Kilcommon Erris, County Mayo between the villages of Bangor Erris and Barnatra at the southern end of Broadhaven Bay. The freshwater lake is over 4 miles (6 km) long and almost 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point. Glencullen's two townlands line its eastern shore and Rathmorgan and the Knocknascollop mountains rise up along its western shores. Carrowmore is not a deep lake and it provides the drinking water for the whole of the Erris area. It is fed by the Carrowmore River and drains into the Owenmore River on its way to Blacksod Bay. The lake is designated as a S.P.A. in E.U. law and also as 000476 Complex S.A.C..

Duvillaun is the name of a cluster of islands lying south to the Inishkea Islands and Inishglora in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Mayo. The main island is known as Duvillaun More. The other islands are known as Duvillaun Beg, Turduvillaun, Shiraghy, Keely, Gaghta, and Leamareha.

The civil parish of Kilcommon in Erris, northern County Mayo, Ireland has a total of 37 townlands: small geographic divisions of land in Ireland and Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Townlands originated in Gaelic Ireland, and predate the late-12th-century Anglo-Norman invasion. However, some townland names are derived from British plantations and Norman manors.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland. The 2,500 km driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast.

Carrickkildavnet Castle or Kildavnet Castle is a tower house and National Monument located in Achill Island, Ireland.

References

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

v t e Places in County Mayo
County town: Castlebar
Towns	Ballina Ballinrobe Ballyhaunis Bangor Erris Belmullet Castlebar Charlestown Claremorris Crossmolina Foxford Kiltimagh Louisburgh Newport Swinford Westport
Villages and townlands	Achill Sound Askill Aghamore Ardogommon Attymass Aughagower Aughleam Balla Ballindine Ballintubber Ballinvoy Ballycastle Ballycroy Ballydavock Ballyglass Ballymacrah Barroosky Bekan Belcarra Belderrig Bellacorick Bellavary Binghamstown Bohalis Bohola Bonniconlon Breaffy Brackwanshagh Brickens Bunacurry Carracastle Carrowteige Carnacon Cashel Castlehill Claddy Cloghans Cogaula Cong Corraveggaun West Corrimbla Corroy Cregganbaun Cross Delphi Derrew Derrycorrib Dooagh Dooega Doohoma Dooniver Drummin Dugort Errew Finny Glenamoy Glencastle Glengad Glenhest Glinsk Gweesalia Hollymount Irishtown Islandeady Keel Kilcummin Kilfaul Kilgalligan Kilkelly Killala Killawalla Kilmaine Kilmeena Kilmovee Knock Knocknabola Knockanillaun Knockmore Knockroosky Lahardane Lecanvey Lisduvoge Lissaniska East Lissaniska West Mayo Meelick Midfield Moygownagh Mulranny Murrisk Neale Partry Pollagh Pontoon Rathnamagh Rossport Salia Shammer Shanaghy Sheean Shrule Sraheens Strade Tonragee Toormakeady Tulrahan Turlough
Baronies	Burrishoole Carra Clanmorris Costello Erris Gallen Kilmaine Murrisk Tirawley
Landforms	List of islands of County Mayo List of loughs of County Mayo List of mountains and hills of County Mayo
List of townlands of County Mayo Category:Geography of County Mayo