Clare Island Vacations, Clare Island Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Clare Island Vacation Guide

Situated in the centre of Clew Bay on the West Coast of Ireland, this Co. Mayo Island holds many treasures that will thrill the unsuspecting traveller. A population of only 150 (approx.) the island is a conservation area, as it is also home to many rare species of plants and birds. Once home to the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, you can walk endlessly along the coast, through the fields and along the winding roads of the island, coming across new and different views, beaches, cliffs or wildlife each time.

Before the Irish famine Clare Island had a population of over 1700 people, and all over the island you can still remnants of this in the form of grass-covered potato rows and crumbled stone cottages. There are also archeaological features such as mesothic tombs, ancient ovens (Fulacht Fiadh) - 53 recorded, and more recent sights such as the Cistercian Abbey with its rare medieval ceiling paintings and the tomb of Grace O'Malley, the Napoleonic lookout tower, the restored lighthouse and Grace O'Malley's castle.