Ionad Deirbhle -
Eachléim Heritage Centre
InishKea
Islands
Aughleam, Belmullet,
County Mayo, Ireland
The islands are rich in amazing scenic beauty, rare wild
life and numerous Archaeological sites.
The island of Inishkea North is best known for its early
Christian monastery which flourished here between the 6th
and 10th centuries AD.
 The
Baileys
The most conspicious features of the island are three
large dunes, known locally as the Baileys - the Bailey
Mór, Bailey Beag and Bailey Dóighte located on
the east of the island.
A brief excavation of the largest mound, the Bailey
Mór revealed the ruins of a number of buildings.
Among other cross-slabs on the mound there is one unusual
slab of a stylized crucifixion scene. The other cross-slabs
vary in design and may be dated to the late 7th to 8th
centuries AD. As the island itself is relatively flat, the
Baileys provide excellent views of the west coast of Erris
and expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.
Other Monuments
On the north-east coast of the island there are the
possible remains of a number of Megalithic Tombs, built
during Neolithic (Stone Age) period c.3500 to c.2000 BC.
On the south-west of the island there are the remains of
a small church, dedicated to St Colmcille in the early
Christian period and a purple ink which was used to
illuminate the manuscripts was exported from here to other
monastic sites.
There are 15 - 20 slabs in total on the islands.
On Inishkea South there are cross-slabs and pillars. One
to the north of the harbour is a stone with a cross
inscribed on it, located at the centre of two circles of
stones. This appears to be a Pre-Christian monument
'christianized' at a later date.
Rusheen, a tidal island to the east of Inishkea South was
once the site of a whaling station, the remains are still
evident today. This was set up by the Norwegians in
1907.
Flora and Fauna
The Inishkea Islands are composed of gneiss ridges (200
million years old) covered with sand forming a unique, if
harsh, habitat for the many species of flora and fauna which
inhabit them. While the Inishkeas contain more than 200
plant species, the dominant vegetation type on both the
islands is a Plantago-Sweard type of plant community
consisting of shortgrasses.
The Inishkea islands are of major importance to both
resident and migrating birds with over 85 types having been
recorded. The Mute Swan, the Peregrine and the endangered
Corncrake are just some of the birdspecies which benefit
from the peace and protection of the islands. The short
grasses of the islands have led the Inishkeas to be of
international importance as wintering ground for Barnacle
Geese.
The lowlying coasts of the islands are home to large
numbers of grey seal while sharp-eyed visitors can
occasionally see Dolphins and Whales out to sea.
Whaling &
Whalebone
- At Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre there is a
vertebra and a rib of a large whale on display which was
washed ashore at Blacksod lighthouse.
- History of the Arranmore Whaling Company (1907) and
the Blacksod Whaling Company (1909) can also be
viewed.
 History
of the Lighthouses
- The history of the 4 lighthouses - Blackrock (1864),
Blacksod (1866), Broadhaven (1845) and Eagle Island
(1839). This shows the great maritime importance of the
local coastline.
- Also on display a ship's storm lantern, lens and a
bouy courtesy of the Commissioners of Irishlights.
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