Walking

Inishbofin has 3 looped walks, all with stunning views of the islands beautiful scenery. The West quarter looped walk features on the 'Discover Ireland' website.

WALK No. 1 WESTQUARTER

Road, track, cross country; 8 kilometres / 5 miles; 2 to 3 hours
Starting at the new pier, this walk heads west and immediately turns right up the hill of Pound Road. This hill is a great deposit of sand and gravel left behind by the melting glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. Here the crushed rock and freer drainage make this part of the island inherently more fertile than the shallower peaty soils on the acidic rock outcrops elsewhere. We turn west again at the top of the road and now have a fine view over Bofin Harbour. Almost a mile long, this deep anchorage was an important haven for shipping in the age of sail. The imposing ruin at the mouth of the harbour opposite dates from the 1650s when the Cromwellian garrison rebuilt an older structure there. Older fortifications also tell us of the importance of this haven; the flat, vegetation-topped rock at the western mouth of the harbour is called Dun Grainne, Grainnuaile's fort. This is a Celtic Iron Age or Early Christian promontory fort dating approximately from 2,000 years ago; the name (and a mediaeval window moulding) tells us it was also in use as late as the 16th century. Our route now lies on the edge of the poorer, thinner soils that make up the island's commonage, on the right. Turn right, pass some houses, and enter the commonage through a farm gate (close it !). This part of the walk overlooks Lough Bofin, from which the mythical white cow (of the island's name) arises periodically. The area to the right and ahead is rich in prehistoric remains, mainly the foundations of terracing and house sites, probably from the Bronze Age, 3,700 years ago. We pass through the gate onto North Beach, a ridge of shingle thrown up by ancient storms, but continually shifting under wind and sea pressure to the present day. Across the beach we again find a track which takes us to the north west end if the island. When you pass the final farm gate here, look out for a track heading right to the double sea arch, Poll Tolladh (the bore-hole). Our route follows an intermittent track heading South, parallel with the shore and rising with the emerging cliffs from Royal Oak Cove to the massive Dun Mor promontory fort. All that remains is the base of the defensive wall across the neck of the isthmus. From here our route back is clearly visible. With the sea to our right, we now follow a green road back through Westquarter, passing the Doonmore Hotel, and on to our starting point at the pier.

WALK No.2 CLOONAMORE AND THE NORTH EAST

Road, track, cross country; 8.5 kilometres / 5.5 miles; 3 hours
From the new pier, gain the vantage point of the High Road via Pound Road behind the small shop. (See walk no. 1 for views over Bofin Harbour). Our route heads east, and beneath us we see the safe anchorage of the inner Pond at the head of the harbour. The ruin on the small island opposite the old pier is what remains of a fish-curing station dating from the turn of the century. Our route passes along the spine of the large glacial deposit that underlies the island's meadows and pastureland. Turn sharp left where road begins its descent towards the east end village. On the right we overlook the fertile slopes of Cloonamore (Cluain Mor, the big meadow) and the beach at the east end of the island. Away in the distance the mainland mountains of Mayo and Connemara provide a backdrop to this dramatic seascape. The cone of Croagh Patrick rises to the north, behind the Mayo mountains. The track now winds its way out onto the commonage, rough grazings and rocky outcrops. Our route soon requires us to pick a way across land to the eastern track, which is quite visible. Those that have time may wish to explore the cliffs around Dun na hInine, where solitude allows time to slip away. The track brings us onto the beach and a paved road. A right turn at the end of the beach brings us onto the Low Road back towards the harbour. Less than a mile on a ruined 14th century church stands in the grounds of the original 7th century monastery founded by St. Colman. Ancient graves lie close to the modern graves in the island's cemetery. Church Lough, in this fertile valley, supports reedbeds and other vegetation, which in turn provide cover, food and nest sites for a wide variety of birds. Field boundaries and sod walls grow rich with wildflowers along the route here, especially where artificial fertilizer and herbicides have not been used. A detour, left down the short steep hill, could end the walk at one of the island's pubs. Straight ahead, past the post office, is the route to where we started at the new pier (especially if there's a ferry to catch!).

T:+353 95 45895

Bird Watching

Inishbofin is a breeding area for many species of birds. The rarest or most threatened species breeding on the island at present are the Corncrake. The Corncrake have been nesting and breeding on Inishbofin for many years.

The island was farm machinery free up until the beginning of the eighties, which suited the nesting habits of the Corncrake. Implements used at that time would include hand driven hay machines and many farmers would have used the Scythe, which was a slow process and gave the Corncrake ample time to move into the next meadow. Nowadays farmers when cutting their crop tend to mow from the outer borders of the fields to the inner. As the Corncrake is a very shy bird it stays in centre of the meadow and sometimes farm machinery can destroy the bird and its siblings. A change in farming practise on the island during the 1990s and a greater understanding of the nesting habits of the Corncrake has seen the reinvigoration of the bird on Inishbofin.

Other species of bird found breeding of Inishbofin include Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Fulmers, Shags, Guillemots, Common Gulls, greater and lesser Black Backed Gulls, Manx Shearwaters, Herring Gulls and Choughs.

There are some very scenic breeding areas on the island, which can be viewed from a distance without causing distress to the breeding population.

Islands West Dive Centre

With some of the clearest waters in Ireland, Inishbofin is an excellent place to dive. Inishbofin has it's own dive centre. John Mc Cabe, the owner and operator is from the islands and is a PADI Master scuba diver trainer and emergency first response instructor and has been a qualified PADI professional for over ten years.

Check out the Islands West website:

T: +353 87 2227098
E: info@islandswest.ie
W: www.islandswest.ie

Beautiful Beaches

For such a small Island Inishbofin has numerous beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. An excellent place to spend the day to unwind. Several beaches on Inishbofin have been awarded the 'green coast award'. Swimming lessons are available for both adults and children during the summer months.

Wild Flowers

Many species of wild flowers can be seen on Inishbofin Island throughout the year. Possibly one of the best ways and times to see these flowers is to join Leo Hallisey's Summer School which is run every year for two weeks in July. The Summer School is generally aimed at teachers wishing to catch up on extra-curricular activities.

For information please contact the Inishbofin Tourism Association at:

T: +353 95 45861

Sea Angling

• All day, half day or hourly ventures
• Dive charter
• Dolphin Spotting
• Bird watching
• Whale and Seal watching
• Inter-Island tours
• Fully licensed and insured
• Cruising speed of 15knots

T:+353 95 45974 or +353 86-8324123
E: bofinfish72@yahoo.co.uk
W: www.bofinangling.com

Seal Colony

Seal colonies can be found in two areas on and around Inishbofin Island. The first one is based on the island near the Stags Rock. This colony, while still viewable, is in serious decline over the past ten to fifteen years. It has not been well researched or documented why this is the case. The decline in fish stocks could be one reason for the decrease of the seal population in this area.

A second colony can be seen near the island of Inishgort that is situated approximately one mile West of Inishbofin Harbour. This colony can be accessed only by boat and this may be the reason that seals congregate in this area. The only visitors they receive are the fishermen setting and hauling their lobster pots.

Blowhole and Sea Stacks

Inishbofin is one of the few places in Ireland where a Blowhole can be seen. Sea stacks can be viewed at the Stags of Inishbofin.