Inishturk [Mountain Common] [Inis Toirc]

Rising from the Atlantic west of Mayo, this island summit offers a rugged, salt-sprayed ascent over maritime heath. Though modest in height, its exposed position provides an immense sense of scale, looking across the swell toward the peaks of Connemara and the sheer cliffs of neighboring Clare Island.

• •The name Inis Toirc translates from Irish as 'Island of the Wild Boar,' a reference to a legendary boar from Irish folklore that was said to have frequented the island's interior.
• •Despite its low elevation of just 189 metres, the hill qualifies as a Marilyn due to its total isolation from the mainland, ensuring it has more than 150 metres of prominence.
• •From the summit, the view landward offers a rare sea-level perspective of Croagh Patrick’s distinctive cone and the distant, dark silhouettes of the Twelve Bens in Connemara.
• •Reaching the start of the climb requires a ferry journey from Roonagh Pier; once on the island, the route to the high point follows open, sheep-grazed commons with no formal paths to the trig pillar.
• •Given the island's small permanent population, the odds of having to queue for a summit photo are remarkably low, though you may have to negotiate space with the local livestock.