![]() ![]() Although there are now only five or six islands inhabited year round, prior to the famine years the majority of islands larger than a few acres had many occupants. It is not unusual to see ‘roads’ across the tidal flats that are used by farmers to get supplies and livestock to and from these seemingly remote places. Several of the ‘outer’ islands of Westport Bay are also connected to each other at low tide. Although the vast majority are now uninhabited, most of the islands are leased by locals as grazing land for sheep, and sometimes cattle, and it’s always best to stay on the good side of the farmers. Thirdly, keep to the shoreline of the islands, do not walk across the fields. Secondly, it’s not a good idea to set off for the islands in bad weather or if poor weather is forecast, Squalls on Clew Bay can be sudden and dangerous, and hurricane force wind gusts are common, especially in winter. Sea levels can rise over ten feet in Clew Bay on a ‘normal’ day. Attempting to reach the islands that are not connected to the mainland via bridge or causeway when the tide is coming in is never a good idea. Firstly, always check the tide tables before setting off. ![]() There are a few important points to keep in mind should you decide to walk out to an island. Several of the islands of Clew Bay are accessible without the need for a boat. There are at least twice as many rock outcrops and drowned drumlins beneath the Atlantic waves. Drumlins are the remnants of lateral moraines left behind by the last ice age, boulder clay and gravel covered with soil and grass. Of course, much depends upon the definition of ‘island’, but even at high tide there are certainly more than one hundred distinctive pieces of land – drumlins – surrounded by water within the confines of the bay. It is also said that there is an island for every day of the year in the bay. ![]() Croagh Patrick and Clare Island are the two most recognizable icons in the Clew Bay area. ![]()
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