High Island (Ardoileán)

Overview

High Island (Irish: Ardoileán or Ard Oileán) sits about 3 km off the north‑west coast of Connemara in County Galway. The island is roughly a kilometre long, characterised by steep cliffs, narrow inlets and a distinctive indented shape. It is privately owned and has no pier; access is limited to two small, weather‑dependent landing points on the eastern side. The island’s isolation has preserved a remarkable archaeological landscape that spans from the Iron Age through early Christian monasticism to 19th‑century copper mining.

Geography & Access

• Size & topography – The island covers about 80 acres (≈ 32 ha) and rises to 206 ft (≈ 63 m) at its highest point, offering sweeping Atlantic views.
• Landmarks – Two small freshwater lakes sit in the interior, and a modern stone building with a septic tank (noted in 2019 sale listings) is located near the southern landing.
• Landing points – Both are on the eastern side; they are described as “treacherous” and usable only in settled weather. A private boat, kayak or charter from the Aughrus Peninsula is required.
• Promontory fort – The western headland hosts a recognised promontory (hill) fort (Atlas of Hillforts ID 1102), adding a prehistoric defensive element to the landscape.
• Cross‑slab – A stone cross‑slab, possibly dating to the 7th century, stands above the southern landing area, hinting at early Christian activity before the main monastic phase.

History

Early settlement

Pollen evidence suggests human activity on High Island as far back as 1 000 BC, and flooring fragments in the later church date between 300 BC and 20 AD, indicating an Iron Age presence. The most celebrated phase began in the 7th century when St Feichin is credited with founding a monastic settlement, possibly as a penitential outpost of the larger Omey Island community.

Monastic complex

Archaeological work from the 1980s onward, led by scholars such as Georgina Scally and Colin Rynne, revealed a multilayered monastic site. The surviving enclosure wall likely predates the monastery itself, hinting at a secular settlement that was later sanctified. The main complex, situated in a valley toward the southern end, includes a chapel, a water‑mill (dating to the 9th or early 10th century), beehive cells, an altar and burial slabs incorporated into the east wall of the chapel. The last major phase of monastic occupation appears to have ended in the 12th century.

Post‑monastic use

After the monastery fell into ruin, the island saw sporadic activity, most notably copper mining in the 19th century. Mine shafts were eventually flooded by seawater, leaving hazardous voids that still dot the landscape. These industrial remnants, together with the monastic ruins, create a layered narrative of human endeavour on a remote Atlantic outcrop.

Ownership & Recent History

• 18th century – The island was owned by the Martin family, who leased it to copper miners.
• 1969‑1998 – Irish poet Richard Murphy purchased High Island. His memoir The Kick records his fascination with the ruins and the island’s stark beauty.
• 1998‑present – Murphy sold the island to his friend Feichin Mulkerrin (often listed as Michael Mulkerrin). The island remains privately owned and is not currently on the market; the 2019 auction listing was withdrawn without a sale.

Archaeology & Research

Excavations directed by Georgina Scally between 1995 and 2002 (published in High Island (Ardoileán), Co. Galway: Excavation of an Early Medieval Monastery, Archaeological Monograph Series 10) uncovered:

• Eleven graves dating from the mid‑11th to early‑13th century.
• Over 50 decorated cross‑slabs, many incorporated into later building phases.
• A stone‑built water‑mill, indicating a self‑sufficient community.
• Palaeo‑environmental samples that shed light on the islanders’ diet and the surrounding vegetation.
• Evidence of a promontory fort on the western headland, recorded in the Irish Hillforts database.

The monograph also discusses the cult of St Féichín, whose association with the island persisted well into the medieval period, as reflected in holy wells and pilgrimage traditions.

Nature & Wildlife

High Island is an EU Special Protection Area (SPA) for seabirds. Visitors can expect to see:

• Gulls, fulmars, Arctic terns, Manx shearwaters, barnacle geese, oystercatchers and peregrine falcons.
• The island’s two small freshwater lakes support a range of aquatic plants and provide feeding grounds for waders.
• The wind‑carved cliffs and heath‑covered slopes create dramatic scenery, popular with photographers and birdwatchers, especially in spring and early summer when the bird colonies are most active.

What to See & Do

• Monastic ruins – Follow the pilgrim’s path from the eastern landing points to the valley. The chapel’s east wall, still incorporating early burial stones, offers a tangible link to the island’s spiritual past.
• Water‑mill remains – The stone foundations illustrate the community’s engineering skill.
• Mining relics – Disused shafts and adits contrast sharply with the earlier religious structures.
• Coastal scenery – Cliffs afford sweeping Atlantic views and sightlines to Omey, Inishark and the mainland.
• Birdwatching – The SPA status makes the island a prime spot for observing seabird colonies; bring binoculars and a field guide.
• Guided tours – Local historians such as Michael Mulkerrin occasionally run walks that explain the archaeology and folklore. Advance booking is essential.

Practical Information

High Island is privately owned and does not have a public visitor centre, regular ferry service, or maintained facilities. Access is only possible by private boat or kayak, landing at one of the two small eastern points. These landings are described as “treacherous” and are only advisable in settled weather; even a light wind can create a dangerous scend. Because of the hazardous disused mine shafts, unaccompanied visitors are discouraged – arranging a guided tour is the safest way to explore the island.

• Admission – Free to view; organised tours may charge a fee set by the guide.
• Opening hours – None; visits are entirely weather‑dependent.
• Nearest mainland access – The Aughrus Peninsula, with charter services operating from Clifden. Contact the Clifden tourism office for current boat operators.
• Facilities – None on the island. Bring water, sturdy footwear and weather‑appropriate clothing. A small modern building with a septic tank exists near the southern landing but offers no public amenities.
• Accessibility – The rugged terrain, lack of paved paths and the need for a boat landing mean the island is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
• Best time to visit – Late spring to early summer for birdlife; summer months for calmer seas, but always check the weather forecast.

Coordinates

For further reading, the monograph High Island – An Irish Monastery in the Atlantic by Jenny White Marshall and Grellan D. Rourke (Town House, 2001) provides an in‑depth multidisciplinary study of the island’s archaeology, architecture and environmental history.

Contact – While no official website exists, local tourism offices in Clifden and the Aughrus Peninsula can provide information on charter services and any scheduled guided tours.