Islands of Ireland: This Mayo isle is a sizeable omission from Google Maps

The unpopulated island of Inishtubbrid has no fewer than 23 versions of its name recorded on a placenames website

Inishtubbrid, Clew Bay, Co Mayo in the foreground. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

It is difficult enough navigating among the near-identical island drumlins of Clew Bay trying to pick out the exact island you are looking for without having to contend with maps that don’t even show the place. Google Maps declines to show Inishtubbrid, Co Mayo, despite it coming in at 37 acres and ascending to a height of 28m. A sizeable omission. Still, life doesn’t revolve around Google maps and there are other maps which are more than sufficient to get you to your destination.

This island lies on the north side of Clew Bay not far from the coastal road linking Newport to Mulranny. A drive along this road at various points reveals dozens of these islands reposing like mythical sea creatures: Inishlim, Inishbobunnan, and Inishgowla but three of the myriad.