Explore
Ireland's Eye holds two significant stone structures from different eras of Irish history. You can see both within a 30-minute walk.
The island covers 28 hectares and is currently uninhabited by humans. However, people used the land for religion and coastal defense in the past.
Visitors booking a landing tour can explore the remains of a 6th-century monastery and a 19th-century tower. You must keep to the designated paths as you walk between these sites to protect ground-nesting seabirds.
15 minutes6th-century ruins
This stone ruin marks a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century. Today, only the original stone walls and a distinctive arched doorway remain standing. Take a moment to view the remains and consider how monks lived here in isolation. You will need about 15 minutes to inspect the site.
15 minutesBuilt 1803-1804
The British built this coastal defense tower around 1803 to 1804 to repel a potential invasion by Napoleon. The thick stone walls face out toward the Irish Sea. Notice how the entrance sits high off the ground, which is a standard defensive feature for these structures. Set aside 15 minutes to view the exterior.
