InisharkInishark at a Glance
About Inishark
Inishark (Inis Airc) is a small, now-uninhabited island off the coast of County Galway in the Connemara region of western Ireland. The island was inhabited until the mid-20th century and retains visible ruins of that community.
Today the island’s features include a compact ruined village, a small chapel and a graveyard, together with steep rocky shores and seabird colonies. The remains illustrate traditional island settlement patterns in the region.
The island was permanently evacuated in the 1940s and has remained uninhabited since; its ruins and landscape draw interest from visitors and researchers interested in island life and historical rural settlement.
Inishark lies off the northwest Irish coast near the better-known island of Inishbofin and is reached by private or charter boat from local harbours on the mainland or from Inishbofin when sea conditions allow.
- Boat access: Landing is weather-dependent and can be difficult; boats generally go from Inishbofin or Cleggan and visits are possible only in suitable sea conditions.
What to See#
- Ruined village: A small ruined village consisting of abandoned stone cottages and house foundations that remain visible across the island; these are the remains of the community that lived there until the mid-20th century.
- Chapel and graveyard: A ruined chapel and small graveyard containing vernacular tombstones and markers, situated close to the village remains and visible to visitors who land on the island.
Best Time to Visit Inishark
Best during late spring to summer (May-August) when sea conditions most often allow landings and seabirds are nesting.
Weather & Climate near Inishark
Temperate climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 141 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 89 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 3° | 94 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 57 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 67 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 15° | 13° | 71 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 17° | 14° | 79 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 15° | 100 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 16° | 13° | 116 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 13° | 11° | 133 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 132 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 136 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Inishark
Access is by private boat from the west coast of County Galway, typically from Cleggan or nearby harbors. Landings are weather-dependent; book with local skippers and allow for cancellations.
Tips for Visiting Inishark
- The boat landing is weather-dependent-many visits are cancelled by rough seas - so build flexibility into plans.
- Explore the island's abandoned cottages and cliff paths carefully; cliff edges are eroded and unguarded.
- Bring binoculars: the island is a notable seabird site (gannets, puffins in season) and much of the interest is from vantage points.