Islands of Ireland: Are these West Cork islands the most remote areas in the country? 

The three islands have never and could never have supported human life

Cleanderry Harbour on the Beara Peninsula Co Cork with Illaunbweeheen and Illaundonagha. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

The concept of remoteness is one that is much-overused in an Irish context. We live in a very small country and nowhere can be said to be really remote. If you count difficulty in accessing such places, then Tory Island in Co Donegal must count as one of our remotest places (not just islands) as it is 14km from the mainland across an inhospitable sea. Other factors to consider in qualifying remoteness are population density and service provision whether boat, bus or train.

The western end of the Beara Peninsula is possessed of some of the most beautiful villages in the country – Allihies, Eyeries and Ardgroom – where each house is more dramatically pleasing to the eye than the next. Population density is low though, and even lower in certain parts again than the villages.