Islands of Ireland: Roaringwater Bay and Long Island Bay have dozens of satellite islands — let's check some out

There might be some truth in the poetic phrase 'Carbery's Hundred Isles' after all

Jeremiah's Island is a satellite of Spanish Island in Roaringwater Bay. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

They are usually overlooked, but the satellite islands of a main island can sometimes be just as interesting as the well-known ones. Roaringwater Bay and Long Island Bay in West Cork have several islands known far and wide: the Gaeltacht island of Oileán Chléire; the historic Sherkin Island; the sublime Heir Island... and all have their satellite islands. Even some of the smaller islands such as Skeam West also have their satellite islets. Some have featured here in their own right but others are too small to merit full coverage. With the exception of the O’Driscoll island at Oiléan Chléire no one has ever lived on any of these satellite islands and there is no archaeological evidence of any kind.

Starting with the largest, Oileán Chléire, and working anti-clockwise, we find Oileaneana or Bird Island. Then, just west of the pier there is the long and slender Illaunnagart. Further along is the unnamed island with the ruins of an O’Driscoll castle, Doonanore. And finally, at the South Harbour and well-sheltered from the open seas is Illaunfaha.