Mayo's Wild Atlantic Islands – The Inishkeas

With author Brian Dornan

Hosted by Paddy Duffy

Monday, 6th October 2025

8.30pm

Location: Festival Dome, Bridge Lane, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 PN20

The Inishkea Islands, North and South, are two low-lying islands off the Mullet Peninsula in Co. Mayo. Archaeological research and extensive field walking has revealed a prehistoric landscape, little known, that reaches back at least 4,000 years into the Bronze Age and perhaps even earlier.

Brian Dornan

The field work has shown Bronze Age burial sites, such as possible wedge tombs and single burials, house sites, field systems and a large amount of pottery. There is also an extensive early medieval landscape dating probably from the seventh/eighth century to the twelfth century. This includes an early medieval monastic settlement with some exquisite cross slabs. There is also considerable evidence for Viking period activity on the islands, perhaps resulting in the eventual abandonment by the religious community. There is also evidence for a possible eleventh-century church and community. It is also of interest how the community of the last two hundred years incorporated folklore regarding these sites and recognised and respected this pre-existing prehistoric and historic landscapes.

Excavations that took place on the North Island in the 1930/’40s, soon after the islands were abandoned, also reveal a fascinating insight into archaeological thinking at the time and uniquely included members of the former islanders in the excavation team. These were the only excavations that were undertaken on the islands and no comprehensive field survey has been done before.

Booking info: All events at this year’s festival are on a first come, first served basis. We recommend wrapping up warmly and arriving early to secure a seat. All events in the festival dome are free of charge.