Nature spot · County Sligo
Inishmurray Island
Remote and mystical Inishmurray Island, off the County Sligo coast, was a secluded retreat for St Molaise who founded a monastery here in the 6th century.
Inishmurray Island is an early Christian site and now a wildlife sanctuary. The last of the islanders moved to the mainland in 1957 and today Inishmurray is a wildlife sanctuary of national importance for both breeding and wintering birds.
Significant populations of arctic tern and common tern, shag, herring gull, great black backed gull and eider duck make the island their home as do numerous pairs of black guillemot, barnacle geese, storm petrels, common gull, lesser black backed gull and fulmar.
The well preserved remains of the monastic settlement of St Molaise and the island's village can also be seen, including mysterious cursing stones, altars and beehive cells.
Outdoors in County Sligo this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 1 Nov — dry by day, light winds, up to 11°C
- Thu, 29 Oct14° / 10°Scattered clouds
- Fri, 30 Oct15° / 10°Grey cloud
- Sat, 31 Oct12° / 5°Drizzle
- Sun, 1 Nov11° / 2°Scattered clouds
Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Beaches & bathing waters
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
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Nature spot · 18 km awayStrandhill BeachBeachStrandhillStrandhill Beach in County Sligo is a popular surf beach featuring a number of schools catering for both novices and experienced surfers.
Nature spot · 19 km awayCeann EachroisAughris HeadBeachDiscover Aughris Head peninsula in Sligo and take in the scenic views of Aughris and Dunmoran beaches, Sligo Bay and Knocknarea Mountain.