Wonderful island to spend a day or two exploring

Like Inishturk Island, ferries depart from Roonagh Pier near Louisburgh County Mayo. Bring a picnic and hop on the early morning ferry (15 euro round trip) from Roonagh Pier and enjoy a day exploring this scenic island through any of the several walking trails sign posted on the island

National Geographic nominated Clare Island in the Top 10 Activities along the Wild Atlantic Way

Grace O Malley – The Pirate Queen: This castle is a fine example of a Tower House, built by the O’Malley's in the sixteenth century. Grace O’Malley or Gráinne Uaile who headed the fleet of pirates who reigned supreme in the Clew Bay area at that time. The tower house is located on the left of the pier as you disembark from the ferry.

Cistercian Abbey: It's about a 15-minute walk from the pier – keeping left of the pier and walking towards O'Malley's food store. The Abbey is said to date from the 12th Century, though it was rebuilt around 1460 and is widely known for its elaborately detailed with carved figureheads. Additionally, it houses an O’Malley crest and is rumoured to be the burial site of Grace O’ Malley(Granuaile). It also contains a remarkable series of medieval wall and ceiling paintings. (Please note here is a small sign asking for “No Flash Photography”.) The paintings which once covered the entire ceiling in a kaleidoscope of colour, depict mythical, human & animal figures including dragons, a cockerel, stags, men on foot and on horseback, a harper, birds & trees. Only four other such paintwork examples still exist in Ireland & Clare Island’s is the most intriguing and maybe the best preserved. Also within the abbey is a fine stone plaque of the O'Malley coat of arms and a canopied tomb reputed to be the resting place of Granuaile O'Malley the famous lady sea pirate.

Another of the Napoleonic Towers is located at the western point of Clare Island, at Tuar Mor. Constructed in 1804, as an answer to the impending threat of a Napoleonic invasion during the Napoleonic Wars of 1803 to 1815. The Clare Island tower forms part of a whole network of towers along the coast of Ireland. These towers were central to the early 19th-century communication and alert system.

Knockmore Mountain: The mountain is the highest peak on Clare Island. It is a popular walking destination for island residents and tourists and is known for its view of Clew Bay and the west coast mainland as well as a view of the Atlantic Ocean. It's an easier climb approaching from either side but does get very windy at the summit even on the finest of days.

Clare Island lighthouse. It's an uphill trek to the site but the views on display here are some of the best on show anywhere in Ireland. Walk to the right of the lighthouse and witness Achill Island, Croagh Patrick and the north Connemara mountains in one sweeping vista. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/571/comment/19832/

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My sweetheart of Clare

There is nothing like a boat ride to get the senses fired up and adding to the adventure in climbing a mountain. Cue Roonagh Point and a short but spectacular ferry crossing to Clare Island.

Knockmore flaunts herself from every angle on the surrounding shores but was now playing shy and hiding behind the other significant hill on the island (Knocknaveen 223m). This changed gradually on a 6 km long walk along the road on the south of the island. This road rose gently from the harbour past quiet houses and fields, giving stunning views across the Bay to the high mountains of the south.

The hills of the island maintained a lofty profile to the north but they rarely got a look in as eyes swept out to sea. Isolated shower clouds rose thousands of feet skyward dwarfing all around but thankfully they were out to sea and we had strong spring sunshine giving the feel of a summer day.Sheep and lambs were the only movement on land, with plenty of birdsong in the air and plumes of spray rising from the coast a short distance away.

The road rises and passes over a cattle grid and meets the lower slopes of Knockmore. It turns into a track and heads for the remains of an old Signal Tower. Great spot for lunch after a long road walk, before tackling the green slopes of Knockmore.Views now open to the north bringing Achill Head, Croaghaun, Slievemore and Minawn to add to that still visible to the south. The collapsed upper walls of the Signal Tower lay like a out of water coral reef as we laid in the sun relaxing.

Make for a couple of rocky bluffs to the north before slogging up the slopes to the summit of Knockmore. A fence hugged the steep cliff face for a while. The summit has an eroded area of peat hags before reaching the mightily impressive beehive cairn which must be around 10 feet tall. Not the top though, as the trig pillar is a little further on. The trig is less impressive but does have increased views of the entire round of Clew Bay and the mountains which ring it. The Mexican standoff had to the south the Bens, Mweelrea, Ben Gorm, Sheefreys, Maumtraunsa, Croagh Patrick and to the north the giants of Achill, Corraun and the Nephin Begs. Stunning!

A steep descent along a fenceline protecting from steep cliffs gave views over the northern headland and white lighthouse. Aim for Creggan Lough across old turf cuttings and picking up a track which brings the road. A short distance to the north the waymarked loop walk heads over the shoulder of Knocknaveen on a grassy track. This then drops back down to the harbour. We got the last ferry off the island at 6pm, which may not have stuck as strictly to capacity limits! Looking back past the wash of the ferry the impressive outline of Knockmore dominated the skyline and brought a quiet smile. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/571/comment/6796/

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tempy on Knockmore

Back in July 2008, I had selected a beautiful house near Killeen as our family holiday base, primarily with Mweelrea in mind. But with Clare island a distinct possibility too. One typical day, the lashing rain gave way by mid morning to bright, breezy conditions, sparking a dash to Roonagh and a lumpy crossing to Clare for me plus son Calum then aged 11. Following the track north of Knocknaveen we climbed Knockmore and had fabulous views to neighboruing islands and the mainland peaks. I've endured plenty pastings on my various trips to Ireland but over the piece the breaks even out. This was right out of the top drawer. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/571/comment/4404/

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milkorwater on Knockmore

It's not the mountain that challenges your resolve, but the rollercoaster ferry ride on a windy, wet day. Having settled your stomach, there's a sweet walk on a perfect green road across the island, followed by a gentle bog road taking you halfway up the hill. After that, it's a straight pull to the top and the magnificent views. Well, I assume there are magnificent views, because the cloud was down and visibility was the hand in front of your face on the day I was there. Luckily, a fence guides you up - and guards you from a straight drop to the crashing waves 450 metres below. A stiff drink at the island's only hotel should be enough to fortify you for the boat trip back to Roonagh. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/571/comment/2702/

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simon3 on Knockmore

Knockmore, Clare Island, taken from Minaun. The coastline is from near Dooega. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/571/comment/2709/

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