InishturkInishturk at a Glance
About Inishturk
Inishturk is an inhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in the west of Ireland, notable for its rugged coastline and active local community. The island has a small harbour and a handful of buildings clustered in a village area.
Visitors come for coastal walks, birdwatching and a sense of island life rather than large tourist facilities; paths link the harbour to the village and to viewpoints along the coast. Boat services from the mainland operate on a scheduled or seasonal basis and crossings can be affected by weather.
The island has been occupied for centuries by fishing and small-scale farming communities; population levels have fluctuated with economic changes but it remains inhabited year-round. Local services are modest and the island’s character is defined by its community and maritime economy.
Located off the west coast of County Mayo in Connacht, Inishturk is reachable by boat from the Mayo mainland and sits surrounded by exposed Atlantic waters and rocky shorelines.
- Access: Served by scheduled or seasonal boat services from the Mayo mainland; crossings are weather-dependent and can be cancelled in bad sea conditions.
- Community: Maintains a small year-round community with basic local services rather than tourist infrastructure.
What to See#
- Harbour: Small harbour and slipway serving the island’s community and landing craft; used for passenger and supply transfers when weather permits.
Nearby Attractions to Inishturk
Best Time to Visit Inishturk
Summertime brings the most reliable boat access and the best weather for hill walks and cliff views.
Weather & Climate near Inishturk
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1267 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 147 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 92 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 101 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 62 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 71 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 72 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 81 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 103 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 10° - 16° | 13° | 119 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 8° - 13° | 11° | 138 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 139 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 3° | 142 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Inishturk
The regular passenger ferry departs from Roonagh Pier (near Louisburgh, County Mayo) to Inishturk - crossings take around 45-60 minutes depending on conditions. Private boats can also be arranged; check schedules seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Inishturk
- Use the small passenger ferry from Roonagh Pier (Mayo) when timetabled; schedules vary seasonally.
- Walk the south-east cliffs at golden hour for the best light and to see choughs and fulmars.
- Ask locals about seasonal scallop or lobster catches - island foodways are tied to the sea.