Islands of Ireland: Inishkea North has Iron-Age and medieval ruins

The Inishkea Islands were also linked to international trade through their production of a purple dye derived from purpura shellfish, mosses, certain seaweeds, squids, jellyfish and starfish. The dye was traded as far as Byzantium (modern day Turkey) and was used to colour silks and velvets and was much in demand in royal courts

Inishkea North, County Mayo. Then name derives from Inish Gé, Goose Island. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

On the northwestern coast of County Mayo where the Mullet Peninsula hangs down like an elephant’s trunk there is a group of fascinating islands.

Duvillaun to the south is like a mini-Skellig Michael in appearance; to the north is Inishglora with its ecclesiastical history; in between are the Inishkeas — so close that they could be considered one island.