THIS stunning Irish island has rugged coastal walks, homemade goat’s cheese and some of the best wildlife spotting in the country.
Cape Clear Island lies just eight miles off the coast of West Cork and is Ireland’s most southerly inhabited Gaeltacht island.
Visitors can reach the remote spot by ferry from Baltimore, with the journey taking around 40 minutes.
The island is known for its sparkling waters, dramatic coastline and wildlife-filled seas, where dolphins, whales and basking sharks can often be spotted.
And once on land, visitors can explore walking trails, visit the famous goat farm or enjoy a pint and a bite to eat before catching the ferry home.
Ferry tickets to the remote island start at just €9 for children’s tickets.
Cape Clear Island is three miles long and one mile wide.
As a Gaeltacht island, the majority of people living there speak Irish, or Gaeilge.
Adult return tickets from Baltimore to Cape Clear cost €20, while children’s tickets cost €9.
There are also special family packages, including two adults and two children, for €50 return.
The island is a popular destination during the summer months with secondary school students looking to improve their Irish language skills on immersion courses.
The hillsides are covered in heather, gorse and other wildflowers, while the water sparkles beneath.
While on the ferry, passengers have a good chance of spotting wildlife beneath the waves.
Dolphins, basking sharks and even whales are known to frequent the waters surrounding Cape Clear.
From higher ground on the island, harmless basking sharks can often be seen lazily gliding through the waters close to shore.
And a number of companies provide boat tours specifically for dolphin and whale watching.
GOAT FARM
Once you’re on the island, there’s plenty to do to keep busy — including visiting the Cape Clear Goat Farm, or Cléire Goats.
The quaint farm was established in 1979 and is located near the Cape Clear Heritage Centre.
Visitors can meet the friendly goats and try delicious homemade goat’s cheese and ice cream.
And if visitors attend the farm between 10am and 12pm, they’ll get a chance to see the goats being milked.
There’s also the main heritage centre, the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, which can be toured, and a world-renowned birdwatching observatory to visit.
There are also plenty of places to go for a paddle in the sea, or to kayak further out.
And on land, there are a number of walking routes that allow visitors to explore every inch of the island’s beauty.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
Cape Clear has a small number of restaurants and bars that provide hearty meals and drinks.
There’s a farmers’ market every Sunday, a small grocery shop and a tourist shop.
Many people who visit the island choose to do a day trip, arriving on the ferry in the morning and leaving again in the evening.
But for those hoping to stay overnight, there are some accommodation options.
There are a few apartments, cottages and houses to rent.
There is also the Chléire Haven glamping site, which is a family-friendly camping site open from April to September.
There’s the Ard na Gaoithe B&B, which provides an early breakfast for guests and encourages Irish speaking.