Some of the standout highlights, however, include a trip to the Skelligs to see the second largest gannet colony in the world or to Inishbofin in Donegal to see the endangered corncrake. Or what about visiting Cape Clear, home to Ireland’s only manned bird observatory or the Saltee Islands off the coast of Wexford, which is a haven for sea birds and a popular stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants?
The same pristine environments also mean a profusion of beautiful flowers and plants. Heir Island has a marsh where 200 varieties of wildflower grow while the rare and endangered rock rose calls Inishturk home. Inis Oírr boasts a porous limestone landscape similar to the Burren’s which puts on a vibrant display of Mediterranean, Arctic and Alpine flowers during spring and summer.
As for the seas that these islands dot, these coastal waters have been a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991 and provide spectacular opportunities for sighting these magnificent cetaceans. Roaring Water Bay, where you’ll find Cape Clear, and Bantry Bay, which is home to Bere Island, are particular hotspots where killer whales and bottle-nosed dolphins are regular visitors.