Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Mutton Island

Mutton Island, historically 'Enniskerry', is an uninhabited island and townland off the coast of County Clare, Ireland, about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the mainland. The nearest village is Quilty, which is roughly 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the island.

Last revised
Jul 20, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
197 w
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Source
Mutton Island
Native name:
Oileán Caorach
Fort on Mutton Island
Location within island of Ireland
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates52°48′45.11″N 9°31′26.76″W / 52.8125306°N 9.5241000°W / 52.8125306; -9.5241000
Area0.9698 km2 (0.3744 sq mi)
Administration
ProvinceMunster
CountyClare
Demographics
Population0

Mutton Island (Irish: Oileán Caorach), historically 'Enniskerry' (Inis Caorach, 'sheep island'),1 is an uninhabited island and townland off the coast of County Clare, Ireland, about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the mainland. The nearest village is Quilty, which is roughly 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the island.

It is used mainly for grazing sheep, and is host to several abandoned houses and two forts.

There is no public ferry service to the island, on which there is no jetty or boat slipway. It contains no roofed buildings, but there is a limited supply of fresh water.

History

The fortifications on the island were likely built by Thomas Burgh around 1702.2

The island was populated as late as the 1920s and is believed to have been part of the mainland until the year 804.3

References

References