Activities

Living on an island brings with it an intimacy with the sea, and so it is with Inish Turk Beg. In the gentle, clear waters of Clew Bay, visitors can enjoy water-skiing, wakeboarding, knee-boarding, a raft of inflatables, and our huge water trampoline. Those same waters have an historic connection with sailing, and we offer a catamaran Dart 16x and a mixture of dinghies for exclusive tours around Clew Bay. Irish Sailing Association-approved qualification may also be obtained by taking courses with one of our expert instructors.

The waters of Clew Bay are of the very highest standard – some of very few in Europe of Class A1 standard -- and they teem with fish. A fishing trip brings the promise of abundant mackerel and pollack, as well as skate, eel, mullet, flounder, sea trout, bullhuss, dogfish, plaice and wrasse. The Inish Turk Beg catamarans CataTurk and Ocean Poition do an outstanding job as angling vessels. Let's not forget, too, the chance to go spot dolphins, seals, the enigmatic sunfish, and, from time to time, whales within the bay.

The island has six resident riding horses: Duchess, Marcus, and Jessie are for larger riders, and our three Connemara ponies, Joey, Ger, and Honey, carry lighter or more expert riders. Each one has been schooled in a nearby equitation centre, and will happily follow a tranquil lead, or convey the more experienced rider with a healthy turn of speed. Rides, in general, follow the shore, before traversing the island. Suffice to say, from every direction, the views are wonderful, and the sense of being "in nature" most vivid. Should instruction be needed, the experts of Inish Turk Beg Stud, or at nearby Drumminndoo, are always at hand.

Our all-weather games pitch sits within the full gaze of Croagh Patrick. It has a gentle, soft surface, kind on the joints and suitable for a variety of sports, including tennis, basketball, and five-a-side football, along with outdoor yoga and meditation.

Of course, when blessed with sunshine, feeling grass underfoot is a must -- not only does our football pitch lend the most dramatic possible backdrop to a casual kick-about, there's surely no better place for practising the island-specific skill of keeping the ball out of Clew Bay.

There's something about the atmosphere on Inish Turk Beg that makes archery feel like just the thing to do, and so it is that we offer left- and right-handed low-bows, and a great big archery target.

Clay pigeon shooting may also be enjoyed on the island. With a remote-control release, safety cage, and resident expert, it's an exhilarating and uplifting way to while away the hours. 12, 16, 20 and 28-bore shotguns are available, suitable for all comers, and there's also an air-rifle for those who want a test of accuracy without the bang and bluster of the real thing.

There are many marked walks to take on Inish Turk Beg, including one around the whole shore, and one which takes in the 360-degree panoramic view from The Top. Views of the neighbouring islands in Clew Bay, as well as that of the mainland, meanwhile, ensure one's eyes never have cause for tiring.

Day-to-day life on the island is about self-sufficiency and a profound intimacy with nature. Our resident flock of sheep can be tended, our herd of Kerry cows visited, and our flock of chickens fed (and their eggs collected). Strangely, you can also go for walks with our pigs, Bubble and Squeak. Harvests present a many faceted bounty all year around -- from the brambles come blackberries; the rills, potatoes; while herbs are available in abundance in the walled garden, vegetables in the polytunnel, fruits from the orchard, and sloe-berries along some of the island walks. It goes without saying, of course, that gathering your own always makes things taste that bit better.

We have a TechnoGym Kinesis multi-gym -- with rowing machine, exercise bike, and cross-trainer -- and a Games Room, for those mid-day or late-evening efforts at pool, table-tennis, air-hockey and table-football.

Ceile Hall is the best place to let your hair down indoors. With a fantastic soundsystem, it's a place for dancing; with a big screen, it's the best place to watch a film; with acres of floor space, there's no place better for dining in big groups; and, should all else fail, there's always the karaoke machine ...

Our indoor, heated infinity swimming pool takes centre stage among the indoor activities available to guests. With glass frontage to the east, south and west, you can gaze at the sun rising over the mainland, scorching over the shoulder of Croagh Patrick, and surrendering at night within the depths of the Atlantic in the west.

For the most active type, there's a great counter-current to work against; for taking it rather more easy, there's little better than settling into our marvellous Jacuzzi.

Adjoining the Island House, the Crafts House has beautiful views -- across its own lawn and neat line of trees, and out to the south, towards the inspiring omnipresence of Croagh Patrick. At ground level, the Crafts House is home to a big, bright crafts space, where any creative impulse -- from working with beads to watercolours -- can be satisfied, while upstairs, a large comfortable space hosts our massage and beauty treatments.

Regional riches awaits those interested in adventures away from the island.

The pretty Georgian town of Westport is packed with interesting shops and traditional buildings, and the smaller town of Newport boasts, among much else, an exceptional set of Harry Clarke windows, which adorn the local church. The coastal village of Mulranny is a fine stop en route to the spectacular Achill Island, while the megalithic site of Slievemore in Achill, and the remains of the 5,000-year old settlement at the Ceide Fields in North Mayo, both come keenly recommended.

If historic buildings are of particular interest, Carrickahowley Castle in Roigh is one of pirate queen and 16th century legend Grace O'Malley's bases; visitors are welcome to borrow the key to the well-preserved stone tower. It is also worth finding time to visit the Dominican friary of nearby Burrishoole Abbey.

Then there is Croagh Patrick, which looks towards Inish Turk Beg from the south. The most famous and holy of Ireland's mountains, ascending its summit and following in the footsteps of the pilgrims of St. Patrick is an experience without which a visit to Clew Bay is surely incomplete.

Finally, if golf happens to be your thing, you will be spoilt for choice in County Mayo. Carne Golf Links, which overlooks Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic near Belmullet in North Mayo, is the last links designed by Ireland's foremost course designer, the late Eddie Hackett. There is also an 18-hole championship course in Westport, and, for a rather less daunting day on the course, there is an 18-hole links course in Mulranny, which looks directly across Clew Bay from the north.