ISLANDS: INISHBOFIN, INISHTURK, & INISHARK

People have lived on Inishbofin (Inis Bó Finne), Inishark (Inis Airc), and Inishturk (Inis Toirc) since the Bronze Age period (roughly 1500–600 BC), and remains of prehistoric houses, promontory forts and field systems are still visible today. Scholars have also documented extensive evidence for medieval communities (AD 650–1200) from both excavations and textual accounts. Tourists and residents alike can explore medieval Christian shrines and churches, cemeteries and holy wells, many of which served as places of pilgrimage for islanders over the centuries. More recently, during the post-medieval period (AD 1600 to roughly 1950), residents of Inishbofin, Inishturk and Inishark experienced 350 years of tumultuous change and challenges as regional, national and international political, religious and economic transformations profoundly affected their communities.

Inishbofin harbour and pier from drone, looking eastward at New Pier towards inner harbour

Inishbofin, Co. Galway (Image © CLIC)

Aerial view of Inishturk 's main harbour

Inishturk, Co. Mayo (Image © CLIC)

Looking up main road from harbour into Inishark's historic village, with stone walls, uninhabited houses, and the mountain in the background

Inishark, Co. Galway (Image © CLIC)