Dursey Island lies at the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula

Beara Peninsula

The Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its centre: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains...

 in the west of County Cork

County Cork

County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...

 in Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. Dursey Island is 6.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called Dursey Sound which has a very strong tidal race, with a reef of rocks in the centre of the channel which is submerged at high tides. This peaceful island with only twelve or so permanent wintertime residents is connected to the mainland by Ireland's only cable car

Aerial tramway

An aerial tramway , cable car , ropeway or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion...

, and the only cable car which goes over sea water in Europe spanning the sound that is one of its main attractions. Dersey has no shops, pubs or restaurants.
The population is about 6 to 8 people.
It is also well known for the nesting colonies of seabirds.

Calf Rock

The Calf Rock sits off the western point of the Island in a tidal race

Tidal race

Tidal race is a natural occurrence whereby a fast moving tide passes through a constriction resulting in the formation of waves, eddies and hazardous currents...

. Formerly a site for a lighthouse, the remains of which still exist.

Archaeological sites

• Ballaun Stones, Killowen, Ballynacallagh
• Castle Site, Ballynacallagh O'Sullivan garrison 1602
• Cup Marked Stone, Ballynacallagh
• Graveyarg/Ruined Church, Ballynacallagh
• Hut Site, Killowen
• Radial Stone Enclosure, Maughanaclea
• Signal Tower, Tilickatina