Inishkea Islands

The Inishkea Islands (English Inishkea Islands, Irish INSI Gé - " Goose Islands " ) are an archipelago made ​​up of two large and several small, now uninhabited islands in the Atlantic off the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo in Ireland.

The North ( Inishkea North, Inis Gé Thuaidh ) and South Island ( South Inishkea, Inis Gé Thea ) are only about two square kilometers. In the North Island are the ruins of a monastery (St. Columbkille 's Church, Teampall Cholm Cille ), which existed between the 6th and 10th century and is associated with St. Columbcille.

Figurehead of the islands are their species-rich and rare fauna ( 85 species live or wintering here ) and flora ( 200 species, many endemic), their scenic charm and heritage of archaeological sites. Are located on the northeast side, being the oldest evidence of settlement some megaliths.

Bailey Mór (160 m long and 20 m high), Dóighte Bailey and Bailey Beag, are three large dunes on the east side of the North Island. Excavation of Bailey Mór brought the remains of a settlement with floor plans of buildings and beehive huts. Shell heaps of purple snails indicate that the monks have here " blue ink " made ​​for coloring their books and manuscripts.

On Inishkea South there are a lot of cross-stones. One of them with a Crucifixion. About 20 different design cross stones come from the 7th to the 8th century. North of the harbor is a stone cross with inscription at the intersection of two stone circles.

Islands

• Inishkea North ( Inis Gé Thuaidh 2.07 km ²)
• Inishkea South ( Inis Gé Thea, 1.84 km ²)
• Carricknaweelion ( Carraig na bhFaoileán, 0.23 km ²)
• Carrickaport ( Carraig at Phoirt, 0.14 km ²)
• Carrickawilt Iceland ( Carraig at Mhoilt 0.07 km ²)
• Carrickmoylenacurhoga ( Carraig na Bhéal gCaróg 0.07 km ²)
• Carrigee ( Carraig Aodha 0.04 km ²)
• Rusheen Iceland (An Roisín, 0.02 km ²)