Caher IslandAbout Caher Island
Caher Island is an uninhabited island off the west coast of County Mayo in Ireland. It is one of several small islands situated off the Mayo coastline.
The island has no permanent population and contains coastal terrain and rock features typical of the region. It is visited occasionally for wildlife observation and small boat landings.
Historically small offshore islands in this area were used intermittently for grazing and seasonal activities, and some contain ruins or traces of older occupation, though specific archaeological details vary by island.
The island sits off the rugged western coast of County Mayo in the province of Connacht, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and separated from the mainland by short coastal channels.
Nearby Attractions to Caher Island
Best Time to Visit Caher Island
Best visited in late spring and summer for calmer seas and access by small boat; weather can be unpredictable.
Weather & Climate near Caher Island
Temperate climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1152 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 133 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 83 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 3° | 89 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 56 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 64 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 12° | 66 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 74 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 17° | 15° | 94 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 16° | 13° | 110 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 13° | 11° | 127 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 11° | 6° | 127 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 6° - 10° | 4° | 129 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Caher Island
Boat charters depart from Cleggan or nearby piers on the Mayo coast; crossings are weather dependent and should be arranged with experienced local skippers. Landing is on a small rocky shore; expect to wade during lower tides.
Tips for Visiting Caher Island
- Arrange boat transport from nearby ports (e.g., Cleggan or Roonagh) early in the day when seas are calmer.
- Respect that Caher Island is used for pilgrimage: keep noise low and avoid disrupting any local rituals or grazing animals.
- Bring cash for local skippers-there are no formal ferry services and pick-up times depend on tides.