Abandoned islands near Ireland with pristine beaches and natural wonders

The Inishkea Islands are two uninhabited islands off County Mayo, roughly 3 km from the mainland, with preserved stone buildings and early Christian sites. They host coastal wildlife such as puffins, seals, whales and dolphins, and are reachable by boat while camping has been banned since 2023.

The Inishkea Islands lie off the rocky coast of County Mayo on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, about 3 km from the mainland. The pair are known as Inishkea North and Inishkea South and take their name from the 5th‑century Saint Kea. The islands have had no permanent residents since the 1930s after a 1927 storm that saw several island fishermen lose their lives, though they supported over 300 people in the 1800s. Visitors can reach the islands by boat and tours operate there, but camping was banned in 2023. Key details: - Location: two islands off County Mayo, approximately 3 km from the mainland, along the Wild Atlantic Way. - Names and heritage: Inishkea North and Inishkea South, named for Saint Kea, with early Christian sites and a crucifixion slab on the islands. - Population history: more than 300 residents in the 1800s; no permanent residents since departures in the 1930s following a fatal 1927 storm. - Built remains: Inishkea South has a tall white navigation tower and school ruins; Inishkea North shows walls from a 19th‑century village. - Wildlife: puffins breed on the islands, and seals, whales and dolphins are reported in nearby waters. - Access and rules: reachable by boat with tours available, and camping has been prohibited since 2023. Summary: The Inishkea Islands combine coastal wildlife with visible historic and early Christian remains, offering day‑time visits by boat. Undetermined at this time.