Private Guided Walking Tour of Omey Island in Connemara

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes

Overview

Omey Island lies 600 metres offshore of the of the Aughrus peninsula and has a wealth of ancient history and stories from the past. Your local guide will walk you across to this tidal island and share its rich history and the stories of St Feichin’s sacred island. The ruins of Feichin’s Church, a medieval church built on a 7th century Christian settlement. The church is surrounded by the remains of a semi-sunken village that was devastated by the Famine. St Feichin’s Holy Well can also be found to the west. Fahy Lough takes up one third of the interior of the island The island is now largely abandoned, with some part-time residents during the summer months. In the mid 19th century it supported a population of over four hundred people who lived off the rich fishing around the island and from cattle raised on the fertile, lime-rich soils. It is now the main burial ground for this region, utilizing an ancient monastic burial ground associated with Brendan the Navigator.