Omey IslandAbout Omey Island
Omey Island is a tidal island off the coast of Connemara in County Galway, Ireland. It is known for its stone-walled fields, a ruined church and a visible historic graveyard.
At low tide a broad sandy strand connects Omey to the mainland, allowing visitors to walk across; visitors can see the remains of a small medieval church, a graveyard with inscribed stones, and open grazing land. Wildlife includes shorebirds and grazing sheep rather than built attractions.
The island contains early Christian and medieval archaeological remains and was used historically for monastic and subsistence purposes by local coastal communities. The graveyard and ruined chapel reflect long-term local use.
Omey lies off the Connemara coast near the village of Claddaghduff, on the Atlantic coast of western County Galway; the nearby town of Clifden is the closest larger settlement.
- Tidal access: The island is tidal - it becomes accessible on foot at low tide via the exposed strand, but the crossing is wet and timing relative to tides is essential.
Best Time to Visit Omey Island
Visit Omey Island in late spring to early autumn for the mildest conditions and to time crossings at low tide safely.
Weather & Climate near Omey Island
Temperate climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1181 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 137 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 83 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 91 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 54 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 68 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 69 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 17° | 15° | 78 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 97 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 16° | 13° | 115 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 128 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 11° | 6° | 129 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 132 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Omey Island
Omey Island lies off the coast of Connemara (County Galway) near the villages of Claddaghduff and Cleggan. Drive to Claddaghduff or Cleggan (local roads from the N59) and then either cross the tidal sand to the island on foot at low tide (check tide times carefully) or take a local boat/shore boat service from Cleggan. Do not attempt the walk without confirming safe tide windows.
Tips for Visiting Omey Island
- Plan your crossing around published tide times-Omey is a tidal island and the causeway from Claddaghduff is only reliably walkable at low tide.
- Park and start from Claddaghduff; once on the island, head to the old church ruins and graveyard-they're the most prominent historic features and easy to miss if you only skirt the shoreline.
- Visit at low tide near sunrise or late afternoon for calmer light and fewer day-trippers; be prepared to turn back promptly when the tide starts to come in.