To begin with the tour should be started at Cnoc Raithní which is a circular mound behind the beach and in front of the football pitch.

CNOC RAITHNÍ: This monument was only discovered in 1885 when a storm revealed it.It dates back to the Bronze Age c.1500 B.C. and was built as a burial mound.Irish legend holds that the Firbolg were the earliest inhabitants of this island having fled to the island to escape invaders.

---We continue along the road behind the beach passing the traditional currachs. These are boats of tarred canvas on a wooden frame. Then past the campsite and up the hill we see Teampall Chaomhán

TEAMPALL CHAOMHAN: Caomhán the patron sain of the island, was a disciple of ST. Enda. The church ruins date back to the 10-14th century and annually cleared of blown sand by the locals. The entrance to the graveyard wich is a mass of shells was a kitchen midden of Early Christian or Medieval date. Caomhán’s Grave (Leaba Chaomháin) is also in this graveyard.

THE LOCH MOR: The lake which comes into view if you pass the graveyard on analysis has shown pollen samples which confirm that the island was covered in forest trees thousands of years ago.

----If you continue on the coast road you will come to the Plassy Wreck

THE PLASSY WRECK: In 1960 the Plassy was thrown up on the Finnish rock in wild storm. No lives were lost as the islanders saved all on board from harm.

---If you continue on the lighthouse will come into view this was only automated in 1978. It is 37m in height. The light at night has a distance of 20 nautical miles.If you walk back around through the Formna Village you will pass the houses and continue out to Cill na Seacht nIníon.

Cill na Seacht n-Iníon: This is loosely translated as the Church of the Seven Daughters but the ruins are actually of a small monastery built in a small stone fort. An altar and a small inscribes stone cross can be seen here. You need to retrace your track then towards the old ESB generating station, taking the first grassy road on your left, across a green valley, climbing towards the Castle Village.

CAISLEAN UI BHRIAIN: The castle is a three storey tower house built by the O Brien family who owned the island up to 1585. It is built within Dún Formna which dates back to the stone age.

----on leaving the castle turn right for the Water tanks and the signal tower. This was built in 1804-05 and dominates the island. The old national school is also here built in 1885.

With the signal tower on your left, Continue until you come to the church on your left. Take a left at the Church, ignore the next left and continue until you come to a T junction at a thatched shed. Take a left , your next right and left again, passing in front of Aras Éanna. Continue on this road until you come to to a right turn. Tobar Eanna is down this road on your right.

TOBAR EANNA: leaving Tobar Éanna, take a right towards the coast and then right again. After 1km or so, take the first trail to the right, which leads you out just below Cill Ghobnait.

CILL GHOBNAIT: This small church dates from the 8th or 9th century. It is dedicated to Saint Gobnait of Ballyvourney in Co. Cork, who is believed to have fled Inis Oírr for safety from enemies on the mainland. From Cill Ghobnait, a short walk uphill brings you to Áras Éanna, while a short walk downhill takes you back towards the pier.

Trail information courtesy of www.inisoirr-island.com