Clare Island
Encyclopedia
Clare Island is a mountainous island guarding the entrance to Clew Bay
in County Mayo
, Ireland. It is famous as the home of the pirate queen, Gráinne O'Malley. Approximately 125 people live there today.
Southwest of Clare lies the uninhabited Caher Island
and the inhabited Inishturk
.
, Clare Island was part of the lands of the O' Malley family. The ruins of an O'Malley tower-house, known as Gráinne O'Malley's castle because of its most famous resident, are close to the pier at the eastern edge of the island. The small Cistercian Abbey
near the south coast of the island was founded by the O'Malleys and contains the O'Malley Tomb, a possible burial site of Gráinne O'Malley. The Abbey is known for its rare medieval roof paintings. In 1588 a ship from the Spanish Armada
was wrecked on Clare Island and its men were killed by the O' Malleys.
A very prominent landmark of the island is the Clare Island Lighthouse
, established by John Denis Browne, the 1st Marquess of Sligo
, in 1806. On 29 September 1813 a fire, caused by careless disposal of the oil-lamp wicks, destroyed part of the tower and the lantern. The rebuilt light was ready in 1818. In 1834 the tower was struck by lightning. After 159 years of faithful service the lighthouse was taken out of service on 28 September 1965, replaced by the modern Achillbeg
Island lighthouse on the south side of Achill Island
.
naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger
led an exhaustive biological survey of the island (the Clare Island Survey
, which was unprecedented at the time and served as a template for future studies.
A new study of the Island was made in 1990 to 2005 and volume 6 was published in 2007.
The island has a hotel, a few bed and breakfast
s and a yoga
and meditation centre. Maps are available for walkers and hill-walkers. The island is also suitable for exploration by bicycle, you can rent a bike in Glen (beside the pier) for €10 for the day.
The island has its own primary school and a post office. Children go to the mainland for post-primary (secondary school) education.
from their 1996 album, Same Oul Town. In the song, the band immortalise the island. It is described as a haven from hectic city life.
Clew Bay
Clew Bay is a natural ocean bay in County Mayo, Ireland. It contains Ireland's best example of sunken drumlins. According to tradition, there is an island in the bay for every day of the year. The bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, and the mountains of North Mayo. Clare...
in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland. It is famous as the home of the pirate queen, Gráinne O'Malley. Approximately 125 people live there today.
Southwest of Clare lies the uninhabited Caher Island
Caher Island
Caher Island , an uninhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, is situated between the larger Clare Island and Inishturk. An ancient centre for pilgrimage, it is still visited for this reason today. On the 15th of August every year, the Feast of the Assumption, there is a pilgrimage...
and the inhabited Inishturk
Inishturk
Inishturk is an inhabited island off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland. It has a permanent population of about seventy people. There are two main settlements, both on the more sheltered eastern end of the island, Ballyheer and Garranty. Bellavaun and Craggy are abandoned settlements...
.
History
Through the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Clare Island was part of the lands of the O' Malley family. The ruins of an O'Malley tower-house, known as Gráinne O'Malley's castle because of its most famous resident, are close to the pier at the eastern edge of the island. The small Cistercian Abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
near the south coast of the island was founded by the O'Malleys and contains the O'Malley Tomb, a possible burial site of Gráinne O'Malley. The Abbey is known for its rare medieval roof paintings. In 1588 a ship from the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
was wrecked on Clare Island and its men were killed by the O' Malleys.
A very prominent landmark of the island is the Clare Island Lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
, established by John Denis Browne, the 1st Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Sligo is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1800 for John Browne, 3rd Earl of Altamont. The Marquess holds the subsidiary titles of Baron Mount Eagle, of Westport in the County of Mayo , Viscount Westport, of Westport in the County of Mayo , Earl of Altamont, in the...
, in 1806. On 29 September 1813 a fire, caused by careless disposal of the oil-lamp wicks, destroyed part of the tower and the lantern. The rebuilt light was ready in 1818. In 1834 the tower was struck by lightning. After 159 years of faithful service the lighthouse was taken out of service on 28 September 1965, replaced by the modern Achillbeg
Achillbeg
Acaill Bheag is a small island in County Mayo, Ireland, just off the southern tip of Achill Island. Its name means 'Little Achill'. Acaill Bheag was evacuated in 1965 and the inhabitants were settled on the main island and nearby mainland. The main settlement was in the centre of the island,...
Island lighthouse on the south side of Achill Island
Achill Island
Achill Island in County Mayo is the largest island off the coast of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is . Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire and Poll Raithní . A bridge was first...
.
Fauna and Flora
Between 1909 and 1911, the BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger
Robert Lloyd Praeger
-Life:Of a Unitarian background, he was born in Holywood, County Down, and grew up in that town where he was educated, first in the school of the Rev McAlister and then at nearby Sullivan Upper School. He worked in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin from 1893 to 1923. He co-founded and...
led an exhaustive biological survey of the island (the Clare Island Survey
Clare Island Survey
The Clare island Survey was a multidisciplinary survey of Clare Island an island off the West coast of Ireland....
, which was unprecedented at the time and served as a template for future studies.
A new study of the Island was made in 1990 to 2005 and volume 6 was published in 2007.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Clare Island is accessible by daily ferry services from Roonagh Pier near Louisburgh. The return trip costs €15 euro and you get a map of the island with your ticket.The island has a hotel, a few bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
s and a yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and meditation centre. Maps are available for walkers and hill-walkers. The island is also suitable for exploration by bicycle, you can rent a bike in Glen (beside the pier) for €10 for the day.
The island has its own primary school and a post office. Children go to the mainland for post-primary (secondary school) education.
Culture
The island also features in a famous song by the Irish folk-rock band, the Saw DoctorsThe Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the...
from their 1996 album, Same Oul Town. In the song, the band immortalise the island. It is described as a haven from hectic city life.
Further reading
- Guiry, M.D., John, D.M., Rindi, F. and McCarthy, T.K. (Edited) 2007. – New Survey of Clare Island. Volume 6: The Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae. – Royal Irish Academy. – ISBN 1904890317
External links
- Information site on Clare Island, updated regularly by an islander
- In this series of podcasts on Mayo's Heritage you can hear an excerpt from Ger Reidy's visit to Clare Island as part of his Heritage Tour of Clew Bay