Islands of Ireland: Where the Danes buried their gold

Inishdaugh island, Clew Bay, Co Mayo, is only six acres, but has had 17 variations of its name.

Inishduagh in Co Mayo is enticingly close to the mainland but is separated by a potentially deadly current from the sandbar of Bartraw (or Bertra) Beach. Small craft beware. 

‘Barr trá’ is derived from the ‘head of the beach’. The beach is a finger of compressed sand that extends a few kilometres into the southern part of Clew Bay and which is very popular, with the people of Westport, for walking. On the quieter side of the spit is the Gweemore Channel: Gaoth Mór, or the ‘Great Current’. The channel between the beach and the island is a popular route to Westport Quay for boats.