Inishark Island is the most haunting island I’ve ever visited.
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You’ll find the deserted island of Inishark 11 km off the Connemara coast. Inishark or Inis Airc named after its patron saint Leo of Inis Airc is only a short boat ride from Inishbofin.
The most western inhabited island in Ireland with just 160 people. That may seem like a tiny population but it’s huge when you compare it to what Inishark’s was – 23.
I use the word was, because it is now an uninhabited island. The hardships of its people that started in the 19th century finally ended when the last 23 inhabitants were evacuated by the government in 1960.
The evacuation from this shark island was non-negotiable. Islanders sometimes couldn’t leave the island for months during the winter. They had to severely ration food supplies during these times. So this assistance for inhabitants of Inis Airc was very much welcomed.
It also put them in great danger if they needed medical services or were in a medical emergency. Two years before the evacuation, a man died from appendicitis because they couldn’t get the word out.
Inis Airc was already on shaking ground to survive and this tragedy sealed its fate. The only other alternative was to build an expensive pier.
The cheerful inhabitants of the once vibrant community welcomed the evacuation from Inishark. Looking forward to life on the mainland, they left the remote shark island.
They would begin their new lives in a government-built new bungalow by the sea with rights to grazing land for their sheep with some sort of modern convenience.
“I’ll not be grieving for it. I’ve wanted to leave behind the island life for years. This island has had its share of my life. I was born here. I built this house with my own hands.” said Thomas 73. “It gave me only poverty and it took two of my sons,” he reported to the Daily Mirror.
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Despite the fact that Inishark has been uninhabited for over 50 years, I felt like I was trespassing.
Most of the buildings have caved-in roofs and are in shambles. Although everyone is long gone, there remains sad energy. I’ve never experienced anywhere like it.
You’ll likely visit Inishark Island for its history but you’ll also appreciate the beauty of the uninhabited island of Inis Airc.
Just imagining what island life could’ve still existed on Inis Airc makes me feel sad. Sheep dot green pastures looking at you curiously as you pass by and make your way to the cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. You’ll even find several alcoves revealing beaches if you get close enough to the edge to peer over.
People have lived in Inishark Island for thousands of years. Historians have found artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age. It’s easy to see why people chose to live here.
Inishark Island is one of the most Westerly Islands of Ireland. It is now the focus of an intensive archaeological dig by a team of students from the University of Notre Dame.
The work of archaeological students includes studies of the kelp industry and emigration. Excavating historical artifacts and the more recently inhabited houses are their latest discoveries.
As the wind picks up and whips my hair around I feel a chill even though it’s a relatively warm day for April. Despite its beauty, life was very tough on shark island. Looks can be deceiving.
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Take a look at these photos from Inishark Island, and you’ll see what I mean:
I highly recommend taking a trip to Inishark Island. It’s one of the most interesting and unique places that I’ve ever had the opportunity to visit.
I visited it during the Inishbofin Walking Festival which takes place in April every year. This is such a fabulous event!
How to Get to Inishark Island:
- It’s a short boat ride from Inishbofin. You’re free to explore on your own or hire a guide if you’re interested in learning about the Bronze Age sites which date back thousands of years.
Note: Thank you to Inishbofin Tourism, Ecotourism Ireland and Tourism Ireland for making my visit possible. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
