This video records the fourth in a series of island visits organised by members of Mountainviews.ie. This time we climbed the high points of three hauntingly beautiful islands off Ireland's County Mayo: Inishark, Inishturk and Achillbeg. Although inhabited for thousands of years, Inishark, which lies in the path of the most vicious Atlantic storms, was finally abandoned in 1960 when the last two dozen inhabitants closed the doors to their homesteads for the last time. Most resettled on the mainland. Their cottages are slowly being reclaimed by the elements, and sheep now cross the broken stone hedges of the once lovingly tended fields, which still bear the ghostly ridges of potato beds. St. Leo's Church, open to the sky and named for the island's patron saint, Leo of Inis Airc who lived here some time between the sixth and eighth centuries, cuts a forlorn presence at the heart of the old village. Inishturk is still inhabited, with a permanent population of around 70 people who make their living from farming, fishing and tourism. At the summit is a ruined signal tower dating from the Napoleonic period. A new glass and stone memorial, 'The Tale of the Tongs', a creation of Travis Price III in collaboration with The Catholic University of America's School of Architecture and Planning, commemorates the six family names of the island. Achillbeg, separated from Achill Island by a narrow sound, is also abandoned. The last inhabitants of the small village sandwiched in a narrow valley between the two hills on the island and hemmed in by the sea on either side, departed in 1965. - Thanks to the Clare Island Ferry company for their professional and friendly service and to fellow Mountainviewers for their superb company. For more fuller description you might like to look at Kernowclimber's excellent blog at kernowclimber.blogspot.ie

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