Islands of Ireland: Granite shores, sandy beaches and blue skies at Mweenish 

This Connemara island may have technically lost its island status but is still battered by huge Atlantic waves

Mweenish Island lies due south of the County Galway village of Carna and between Bertraghboy Bay and Kilkieran Bay.

Nature created some sort of magnificent balancing act at Mweenish Island in Connemara. The wild, wild western coastline battered by huge, merciless waves that have crossed the Atlantic is counterpointed here by a benign eastern aspect whose sandy beaches rival the Caribbean’s.

Among its granite shores and tidal pools images of the reflected bright blue sky can dazzle with their beauty. In the distance loom the Twelve Bens and Lough Oran lies near the centre of the island like a watchful eye. Maínis, or island of the plain, is well named as its highest point is just 23 metres.