Clear Island
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Clear Island (Irish language: Oileán Chléire), known locally as Cape Clear, lies south west of County Cork in the Republic of Ireland. It is the southernmost inhabited part of the Republic and has a population of over 100 people. It forms part of the Gaeltacht, meaning that it is one of the few places in Ireland where Irish is still the spoken language.
The island is divided into east and west halves by an isthmus. Ferries sail from the North Harbour to Schull and Baltimore on the mainland. The South Harbour is a popular berth for yachts.
The island is known as the birthplace of Saint Ciarán, for the Dún an Óir fort, and for its birdlife, including Black and Common Guillemots, Cormorants and storm petrels. Seals, basking sharks and dolphins are found in the surrounding water, while sea pinks and honeysuckle are common plants on the land.
Cape Clear is also home to a lighthouse and a bird observatory.
Wild indigenous snakes are not thought to exist anywhere on the mainland of Ireland, however natives of Cape Clear claim that the island "is home to small wild snakes". On the island is a primary school where it was built in 1897. The current president of Ireland came to vist it in 1998. It has two teachers
Every first weekend of September, Cape hosts the Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival.
Long Island Bay
Ref:
- The Wild Plants of Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent Islanda of West Cork, John Akeroyd, editor, Sherkin Island Marine Station 1996 ISBN 1 870492 86 2
See also
External links
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