Islands of Ireland: Islands of our heritage

As an introduction to our islands, this heritage week programme has a selection of lovely islands and a wide range of activities to entice you. From waltzing on Scattery Island, Co Clare or learning about boatbuilding on Bere Island there are a multitude of events taking place over the week.

Here are the main events that are directly linked to islands. Note that some events are totally free; in others ferry trips must be paid. Where events are during part of the day, the times are given, otherwise events take place over a full day.

Co Cavan:

What: Belturbet Heritage Walks

When: August 24; 3pm to 4.30pm

Where: Turbet Island, Belturbet.

Info: [e-mail]

Co Cork:

What: Tour of Ballycotton Lighthouse

When: August 17; 10am to 8pm

Where: Ballycotton Pier

Info: ballycottonseaadventures.com

What: Guided Nature Walk on Whiddy Island

When: August 17 to 25

Where: Bantry, Co Cork

Info: ellenhutchins.com Whiddy Seaweed Event August 18;

What: Bantry Bay Maritime History

When: August 22; 10am to 11.30am

Where: Bantry Pier

Info: bantrybayboathire.ie

What: Stories of Lughnasadh — folklore and cultural traditions

When: August 21

Where: Bere Island Heritage Centre

Info: [e-mail] and recording your family’s history workshop August 21: 2pm to 3pm; Island Traditions: knitting; lacemaking; boat building August 21; 3pm to 4pm; Military History Walk August 22; 11.30am to 1pm at Rerrin; Nature walk August 20; 11.30am to 1.30pm at Rerrin

What: Families of Spike Island photography exhibition

When: August 17 to 25; 11am to 5.30pm

Where: Cobh Pier for Spike Island

Info: spikeislandcork.ie

What: Butterfly and wildflower walk on Long Island

When: August 19; 12.45pm to 4pm

Where: Colla Pier, Schull

Info: corknaturenetwork.ie

What: Garinish Island - free tour

When: August 25; 10am to 4.30pm

Where: Glengarriff

Info: garinishisland.ie

What: Island ferry tales - virtual reality tour to Oileán Chléire

When: August 20 to 24; 12pm to 5.30pm

Where: Skibbereen Library

Info: [e-mail]

Co Clare

What: Daily tours of Scattery Island

When: August 17 to 25

Where: Scattery Island Visitor Centre

Info: scatteryislandtours.com and House dance: August 24.com

Co Donegal:

What: Coastal heritage cruise around Cruit and Owey Islands

When: August 20 to 23

Where: Kincasslagh Pier

Info: saoiremara.com

What: Arranmore Holiday 1889: talk

When: August 24: 2.30pm to 5pm

Where: Glen Hotel, Arranmore

Info: [e-mail]

What: Folklore trail: shipwrecks; Island of the Dead; archaeology; placenames

When: August 23 and 25; 11am to 12.30pm

Where: Donegal Airport carpark

Info: donegalheritage.com

Co Dublin:

What: Ireland’s Eye, Beach Clean

When: August 17: 1pm to 4.30pm

Where: Ireland’s Eye Ferries, Howth

Info: [e-mail]

Co Kerry

What: Whale Watching, Valentia Island

When: August 24; 2pm to 5pm

Where: Signal Tower, Bray Head, Valentia Island

Info: iwdg.ie

Co Galway

What: Féile na bhFlaitheartach: lives of writers Liam and Tom O’Flaherty

When: August 24

Where: Kilmurvey House; Inis Mór

Info: feileaug.com

What: Trip to Inchagoill Island

When: August 25; 2pm to 6pm

Where: Oughterard

Info: [e-mail]

Co Mayo:

What: Glacial landscape of Clew Bay

When: August 22, 7pm to 8pm

Where: St Patrick’s Statue, Murrisk

Info: [e-mail]

What: Achill History Tour

When: August 19; 7pm to 8pm

Where: Achill Experience Centre

Info: achillexperience.ie

Co Sligo:

What: Spanish Armada stories

When: August 20; 7pm to 8pm

Where: Grange Courthouse, Co Sligo

Info: spanisharmadaireland.com