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 Cape Clear, Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, lies 8 miles off the coast of West Cork. The island is accessible by boat from Baltimore. Three miles west of the island stands the solitary Fastnet Rock. To the northwest stretches the Mizen Head, the mainland's most southerly point.
Cape's wild romantic scenery, its sparkling harbours, its cliffs and bogs and lake, all contribute to the island's unspoiled charm. Heather, gorse and wild flowers cover the rugged hills. Myriad stonewalls have a patchwork effect on the varied landscape. Megalithic standing stones and a 5000 year-old passage grave, a twelfth century church ruin, a fourteenth century O'Driscoll castle, cannonaded in the early 1600s, suggest times past. Saint Ciarán, the island's patron saint, is allegedly the earliest of Ireland's four pre-Patrician saints.
Cape's remote island location, coupled with its proximity to the continental shelf, makes it the foremost centre for birdwatching in Ireland. The best month is October followed closely by the month of April. Whale, leatherback turtle, sun fish and shark are spotted every year and dolphins regularly. Removed from the hustle and bustle of mainland life, Cape offers relaxation, nature and peace.
Cape Clear is a Gaeltacht and in the summer many students come in order to perfect their Irish and participate in outdoor games and activities. Cape Clear is also an ideal location for activities such as windsurfing, canoeing and fishing. Scuba divers can prowl old wrecks and precipitous reefs. The lively pubs have frequent formal and informal sessions, many aficionados bringing their instruments. Due to the limited amount of accommodation on the island, it is recommended that one should book in advance, especially during the busy summer months. After the summer rush of activity, autumn's a suddenly richly quiet season.
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