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Islands of County Mayo
Map of County Mayo's western seaboard

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.

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

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 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.

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.These islands were decimated by the Great Famine, resulting in either widespread or total depopulation. 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. The Irish government initially encouraged the evacuation of the islands due to the cost of providing services to them, further hastening the decline.

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. 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.

Keem Bay, Achill Island Co. Mayo, Ireland - geograph.org.uk - 683771
Achill is Ireland's largest island
Clew Bay, June 2015
Clew Bay contains 141 named islands, along with numerous tidal islets

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 Donegal.

County Mayo - Achill Island - Deserted Village - Grazing Sheep & Derelict Cottage (geograph 4002127)
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. 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.

Fish Curing on Clare Island (7108837815)
Fish curing on Clare Island, c. 1900

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.

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.

Currently Inhabited Islands

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

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

See also: List of islands of Ireland

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).

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

IRL Jan99 26 (9277948677)
Achill
Clareisland2
Clare Island
Inishturk1
Inishturk
Bartragh Island from Bartragh Head - geograph.org.uk - 486784
Bartragh Island
Inishkea South Island. - geograph.org.uk - 291277
Inishkea South
Inishturk Beach - geograph.org.uk - 288665
Caher Island
Inishturkbeg aerial
Inish Turk Beg
Inishnakillew, Co. Mayo - geograph.org.uk - 1245209
Inishnakillew
Inishglora, Erris, Co. Mayo.
Inishglora
Rosturk Clew Bay geograph-3180700-by-Ben-Brooksbank
Rosturk
Kid Island, Kilcommon, Erris, North Mayo.
Kid Island
Eagle Island Lighthouse
Eagle Island
Inishrasher - geograph.org.uk - 1402114
Inishraher
Aerialblue9
Dorinish
Island Irish name Archipelago / Location Area
(Acres)		 Highest Point
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.

Clew bay-old map
Map of Clew Bay (1890)
Achill, Corraun, Clew Bay (3585764882)
Small islands in Clew Bay
The Stags, Co Mayo - geograph.org.uk - 243341
The Stags
Sunset over Mwellaun - geograph.org.uk - 1397615
Mweelaun
Inishdaugh - geograph.org.uk - 1402108
Inishdaugh
Inishdalla
Inishdalla
Beach nr. Killadoon, Co.Mayo - geograph.org.uk - 556555
Islet off Killadoon
Sunset over Bills Rocks - geograph.org.uk - 1394320
Bills Rocks
Downpatrick Head - geograph.org.uk - 297658
Dún Briste
Black Rock Island - County Mayo - Ireland
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
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

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.

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

Ordnance Survey Ireland Half-Inch Sheet 6 North Mayo, Published 1956
Loughs of northern Mayo
Ordnance Survey Ireland Half-Inch Sheet 11 South Mayo, Published 1965
Loughs of southern Mayo
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib
Small bay on Lough Mask - geograph.org.uk - 1405152
Lough Mask
Lough Conn and Nephin - geograph.org.uk - 1538691
Lough Conn
Castleburke Castle on Lough Carra Co Mayo
Lough Carra
Beltra Lough - geograph.org.uk - 1393044
Lough Beltra
Connaught (1912) (14765914451)
Carrowmore Lake
Lough Cullin - geograph.org.uk - 806947
Lough Cullin
Islandeady Lough - geograph.org.uk - 969225
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 lists 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 lists 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

See also: List of monastic houses in County Mayo
Abbey at Clare Island - geograph.org.uk - 238140
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

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.

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.

Puffin Latrabjarg Iceland
Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Grey seal (48475759077)
Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Tursiops truncatus 01
Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Eriophorum angustifolium (5858098416)
Bog cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium)
Razorbill (Alca torda) (13668086884)
Razorbill (Alca torda)
Basking Shark
Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
Great Cormorant PT 2
Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Empetrum nigrum by Maseltov 2
Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)

Special Areas of Conservation

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

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

Island Index

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List of islands of County Mayo Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.