Cape Clear
Those with a sense of adventure, and who like walking, will
enjoy a trip to the Irish speaking (Gaeltacht) island of Cape Clear, or
Oilean Chléire, the most southerly tip of Ireland.
The voyage on the ferry from Baltimore, West Cork only takes 40 minutes
and you get a view of the indented coastline on the way.
Wild romantic scenery with heather, gorse, and wild flowers covering steep rugged hills, sparkling harbours, and spectacular cliffs all contribute to the charm of Cape Clear island off the south west coast of Ireland. The one hundred and seventy "Capers" have always depended
upon the sea and the elements for their living, but have managed
to master the difficult balance of adopting the better aspects
of modern living while retaining cultural and traditional values.
When you arrive you can visit restaurant, shops, pubs,
a pottery and a fascinating museum. You might also like to
visit the ornithological centre to find out if there are any
rare birds about. It's a very steep climb out of the harbour,
but the Atlantic view from the top is breathtaking. St. Kieran's
Church, dating from around the 12th century, is near the harbour
and there are a number of prehistoric
sites. The O'Driscoll castle of Dun an Oir is on the western
side.
Check the directory
pages for information on ferries, accommodation and more or
visit the Cape Clear website.
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