Overview
Inishglora (Irish: Inis Gluaire) lies just a kilometre off the western tip of the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo. Covering just 0.35 km², this low-lying machair island is blanketed in evergreen vegetation that shimmers silver-green from the water. Uninhabited since the 1930s, Inishglora is far from deserted. Its dramatic monastic landscape, deep-rooted Celtic legends, and thriving wildlife make it one of Ireland’s most atmospheric pilgrimage sites.
History & Legends
Early Christian Foundation
Tradition credits St Brendan the Navigator with founding a monastery here in the sixth century. The island’s most striking surviving structure is a roofless, Gallarus-type dry-stone chapel, its west gable still standing strong against the Atlantic weather. A wooden statue of the saint once stood in the north-east corner before deteriorating in the late 1800s.
Later medieval monks expanded the settlement, adding a men’s church (Teampall na bhFear) and a women’s church (Teampall na mBan), which may have functioned as an early nunnery. Scattered across the machair are several early cross-slabs, pillar stones, and the Seven Stations of the Cross. The final station, the Rock of Prayer (Cloch na h-Athchuinge), sits in the western half of the island, offering a quiet spot for reflection.
Three beehive-style oratories remain. The largest, St Brendan’s Cell, is a circular stone chamber roughly six feet high, believed to have served as the saint’s penitential retreat. Close by lies St Brendan’s Well, originally roofed in a similar beehive style. Local folklore warned that water taken by a woman would turn to blood and fill with red worms – a superstition likely designed to keep the monastic communities separate.
Mythic Associations
Inishglora is forever tied to the tragic Children of Lir legend. After spending 900 years cursed to live as swans across Ireland’s lakes and seas, the four siblings finally washed ashore here. St Brendan is said to have baptised them, briefly restoring their human forms before they peacefully passed away. Their burial sites are reputed to lie east of St Brendan’s chapel, historically marked by white stones tended by the local Gaughan family.
A darker medieval belief, recorded by Gerald of Wales, claimed that bodies left exposed on the island never decayed. While modern science has long debunked the idea, the tale still lends an eerie, otherworldly quality to the ruins.
What to See & Do
Ancient Ruins & Sacred Sites
Walking Inishglora feels like stepping into a living museum of early Irish Christianity. The paths between the chapels, cells, and cross-slabs are well-trodden but unmarked, encouraging a slow, exploratory pace. Key stops include:
- St Brendan’s Chapel: The largest dry-stone structure, perfect for understanding traditional Irish monastic architecture.
- St Brendan’s Cell: A compact, circular oratory that gives a tangible sense of ascetic monastic life.
- The Seven Stations of the Cross: Stone markers that trace a devotional route across the island, ending at the Rock of Prayer.
- St Brendan’s Well: Still holds clear water and remains a focal point for local folklore.
Wildlife & Nature
The island’s isolation has fostered a rich natural environment. Grey seals regularly haul out on the sandy beaches, particularly in the calm hours before dawn. During summer, the cliffs host breeding colonies of guillemots, razorbills, and the occasional puffin. A small population of wild sheep roams the machair, adding to the island’s untamed character. Inishglora is designated as an Important Bird Area, and birdwatchers should bring binoculars and move quietly to avoid disturbing nesting pairs.
Getting There
Inishglora has no pier, bridge, or scheduled ferry service. Access is entirely dependent on local boat operators and sea conditions.
- Currach trips: Traditional wooden currachs depart from the harbour in Belmullet during the summer months, and occasionally on calm days in spring and autumn.
- Best conditions: Operators typically prefer a north-westerly wind for safer landings. Always confirm availability and weather suitability before travelling.
- Tides: The landing area is a narrow sandy beach that can be completely submerged at high tide. Consult Met Éireann tide tables and aim for low or mid-tide arrivals.
Visiting Tips
- Book in advance: Currach schedules are informal and weather-dependent. Contact local operators in Belmullet or check with the town’s tourism office for the latest departure times.
- Pack essentials: There are no facilities on the island. Bring plenty of water, high-energy snacks, a windproof jacket, and a waterproof dry bag for phones and cameras.
- Footwear matters: The ground is uneven, with loose stones, slippery rocks, and damp grass. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip are strongly recommended.
- Respect the site: As a protected heritage and wildlife area, visitors should stay on established paths, avoid moving stones, and take all waste back to the mainland.
Practical Information
- Access: Private currach only; no public transport or regular ferries.
- Opening times: Open year-round, but access is strictly weather and tide-dependent.
- Facilities: None on the island. All amenities are available in Belmullet.
- Admission: Free entry.
- Safety: Heed your currach operator’s advice, monitor tide times, and carry a fully charged phone in a waterproof case.
Nearby Attractions
- Ballycroy National Park: A short drive from Belmullet, this reserve offers extensive walking trails, blanket bog, and mountain scenery.
- Bartragh Island: Another small island off the Mullet coast, accessible by private boat and ideal for a quick coastal walk and photography.
- Clare Island: Reachable by regular ferry from the Mullet Peninsula, this larger island features a 12th-century Cistercian abbey and well-developed visitor trails.
For those seeking a deeper dive into the island’s heritage, the Irish Islands website maintains a detailed historical archive. Inishglora rewards patience and preparation, offering a rare glimpse into Ireland’s early Christian past and the quiet power of the Atlantic coast.