Cape Clear

View of Cape Clear
Copyright Niamh O'Niell

Cape Clear Island is one of the largest islands off the coast of Cork, and is the southernmost inhabited part of Ireland. It is well known for its birdlife and attracts many ornithologists. A bird observatory is located on the island, where records of breeding habits, population, migratory habits etc. of the birds are kept and training courses for young ornithologists are run.

 

Linnet

Copyright Mike Brown

Linnet
Copyright Mike Brown

Linnet

Copyright Mike Brown

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Little Grebe

Copyright Mike Brown

Little Grebe
Copyright Mike Brown

Little Grebe

Copyright Mike Brown

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The birds that inhabit Cape Clear include Cormorants, Pestrels, Guillemots, Linnets, Shearwaters, Little Grebes, Brent Geese, Red Throated Diver, Whitethroats, Mute Swans, Wheatears, and many more species. Some of the interesting marine lives in the surrounding waters include seals, dolphins, whales, porpoises, basking sharks and leatherback turtles.

Cape Clear is also home to a host of archaeological features e.g. Celtic Art Stone, Passage Tomb (4000-2200 BC), Medieval Post (1200 AD), Ringfort, Fulach Fiadh.