Inishmurray

Inishmurray lies about seven kilometres off the Sligo coast and has been uninhabited since 1948, when the last families - around fifty people - left. What makes it exceptional is the monastic site: a massive drystone cashel wall up to four metres thick enclosing beehive cells, three churches, altars and a schoolhouse, founded in the sixth century and left substantially undisturbed because nobody built over it. Inside are the Clocha Breaca, the cursing stones - a set of rounded stones on an altar which, by tradition, were turned anticlockwise while cursing an enemy, a practice reported into the twentieth century. Around the island are stations of pilgrimage marked by leachta and cross-slabs. There is no pier; boats put passengers onto rock and the landing cancels in any swell. Nothing is provided on the island - no water, shelter or facilities.

What you actually see

• The cashel - a drystone wall up to four metres thick around the monastery.
• The beehive cells and churches - largely intact within the enclosure.
• The cursing stones - the Clocha Breaca on their altar.
• The abandoned village - houses left when the island emptied in 1948.

When to go

May to August. Landings depend entirely on sea state and cancel frequently - charter with an operator who knows the rock and expect the trip to be called off at short notice.

Honest expectations

No pier - landing is onto rock from a small boat and is impossible in swell. No facilities, water or shelter on the island. Bring everything. The monastic remains are unfenced and fragile; do not climb on the cashel or move the stones.

Nearby

Mullaghmore and Streedagh are on the mainland opposite; Sligo is south.