Omey Island
Omey is a tidal Island in Connemara off the coast of Galway in the west of Ireland. From the mainland at Claddaghduff the island is inconspicuous and almost hidden. In fact you could drive along the coast road and not even realise the island exists in the panoramic view below you. It's a stunning landscape with sand-dunes and rolling hills, a lake, boulders, grass, flowers, cows and rabbits.
Understand
When the sea surrounds the island the atmosphere changes as if everything is at peace and in harmony. Poets, philosophers, writers and artists have been inspired by this sensation. Omey is as much a part of the spirit of the community as the people are. This is a place of joy and sorrow, of life and death. Don’t be fooled into thinking that time stands still here. Everything is constantly moving and changing with shifting sands, water, rocks and skies. This is a mysterious place.
Read
The following could be of interest and are available from Clifden Bookshop.
- Omey Island Map + Guide + DVD; Sean Corcoran
- Connemara, the last pool of Darkness; Tim Robinson
- Connemara Wild Flowers, Introductory Guide; Dieter and Jane Stark
- The Shores of Connemara; Seamus Mac An Iomaire
- Connemara, Land of Contrasts; Clifden Bookshop
- Birds of Inishbofin; Tim Gordon
- Collins Complete Irish Wildlife; Derek Mooney
- Playing Dead. Outbreak. Malpractice; by Rory Mc Cormac
Get in
Sweeney’s bar of Claddaghduff will be your first port of call. There’s a nice shop there and a post office, beer, wine, petrol, diesel, gas and briquettes. From there you can check the tides and take in the view. Omey will come alive before your eyes. The size of the strand will become apparent if the tide is open. Be careful with the tide though, it can close with remarkable speed. Cross the strand by car or foot to enter Omey Island.
See
There is an abundance of rabbits, birds and flowers and a virtually wild herd of cows roams freely. A bit closer to captivation a 26 year old donkey called Snowy patiently grazes a little field with an occasional carrot from his admirers.
Make sure to get to the two rock mounds on the highest point, the eye as I call it is mesmerising. Above the lake see if you can identify Love Heart Rock not far from the poet Richard Murphy’s Octagonal Retreat.
Bring a kite to catch the wind or some golf balls and clubs to meander to the head. Hire a bike or there’s pony trekking locally.The landscape is ever changing; no two photographs will be the same. There is some visible history including the Sunken Church, the Holy well and ancient middens.
Do
Walking, swimming, snorkelling, fishing, bring a boat or canoe? You’ll amaze yourself at how much entertainment you can squeeze out of one little sandy island.Before long you’ll find yourself collecting yellow shells or white quartz stones. When was the last time you caught a crab? Explore the shore and rock pools at low tide. Boulder hopping, how’s your balance?
Watch the sun set or the tide close or the moon rise. Simple things that we often overlook. Once a year the strand plays host to the Omey Races, an amazing spectacle. Horses, jockeys, bookies, punters and spectators come from far and wide to the temporary racetrack in the sand.
There’s not much in the way of broadband, telephone reception or TV signal so prepare yourself for DIY entertainment. I’m currently reading Tim Robinson’s new book, Connemara, the last pool of darkness which is very enlightening and the fruit of over 20 years work.
Eat
Catch it, cook it or plunder the mainland for provisions. If you want a meal cooked for you you'll have to go to Cleggan, Letterfrack or Clifden.
Drink
With your toes in the sand and the tide closed behind you, share a bottle of wine with the setting sun. There’s often music on in Sweeney’s bar on the mainland so make sure to catch up with your neighbours for a sing song!
Sleep
There are two houses currently available for rent on Omey Island. Alternatively plenty of visitors park up for a day or two in their camper vans or its ideal for camping. There are also many other houses available on the mainland if you want a handier base to explore Connemara. July, August and September are the busiest months for bookings but Omey is every bit as dramatic in the winter.
- John and Marion Mc Donagh’s. Comfortable and well equipped 4 bedroom bungalow. It’s the house with the horseshoe garage door overlooking the lake. It can be rented through.
- Anne Mc Loughlin’s, ☏ +353 95 44779. An original 1950’s cottage complete with simple open fire and white washed walls. Back to basics with a little kitchen and 3 bedrooms.
Go next
The Star of the Sea Church is a stones throw from the island and there’s also a Community Hall. If you want to spread your wings a little bit further, Cleggan is only around the corner where you can have a nice meal or take a ferry to Inis Boffin. Letterfrack is further up the road, it's a nice village close to Connemara National Park. Take a day trip to Clifden, a bustling little country town about 10 miles away.