Clare Island lies in the middle of the entrance to Clew Bay almost 3 miles north west of Roonah Head in Co. Mayo off the west coast of Ireland. Its north-west face is composed of dramatic cliffs rising from the sea to the summit of the island which has an elevation of 450 metres. Viewed from this quarter it presents the appearance of a somewhat tabular mountain, dipping away to the south-west, where it terminates in a bluff point with a ruined tower. To the north-east it descends in a rugged comb-like appearance to the disused light-house on the north point of the island. There are two sites of historical interest on the Island, a medieval abbey and Granuaile's castle beneath which are the visitors moorings.

The anchorage has good shelter from winds from south through west to north and access is straightforward at all states of the tide.

Keyfacts for Clare Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

53° 48.033' N, 009° 57.045' W

This is the position at Clare Islands harbour pierhead

What is the initial fix?

this is the position in the North Atlantic Ocean midway between Achill Head and Inishbofin.

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How to get in?

The 'Slyne Head to Erris Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southbound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Clare Island, in Irish Oilean Chliara, is a mountainous island which guards the entrance to Clew Bay, in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland.

The island is situated 3.5 miles off the mainland, and is the largest of the 365 islands in Clew Bay being 5 miles long and 3 miles wide. The northwest face is composed of stupendous cliffs rising from the sea up to the islands' summit, to the north east on the northern point it descends to an old lighthouse where detached masses of rock are scattered along the shore, whilst the southern shore is of a more moderate elevation but at the middle of the shoreline a deep valley runs across to the east side of the island.

Clare Island is the most imposing feature on the approach to Clew Bay, standing out boldly in the middle of the entrance it serves both as a distinguishing mark and as a breakwater against the heavy Atlantic swell.

The principal landing place is a small sandy bay at the southeast end of the island where there is a harbour pier which dries for some distance outside it, and is subject to a heavy run in any sea. The islands main anchorage is off the pier, and is overlooked by the ruins of Granuaile's Castle which stands prominently on a rocky headland. The anchorage in the bay has 3 to 5 metres depth and is sheltered in southwest through to northwest winds but is exposed to southerly winds, but note that the holding ground is poor. Some seasonal visitors moorings have been laid in the bay to the north of the pier clear of the disused submarine cables which extend east of the pier and then run north, there is also a salmon fish farm to be aware of to the east of the harbour situated southwest of Kinnacora Point.

Why visit here?

Clare Island is a large, high, beautiful and dramatic island which dominates the mouth of Clew Bay and has a population of about 140 which doubles in the summer to cater for the tourist trade. The island has a ferry service to and from Roonah Quay on the mainland which takes about 20 minutes, with numerous sailings in the summer but only two a day during the winter months.

Clare Island is famous as the home of the pirate queen Grainne (Grace) O'Malley, also called Granneuaile or Grania Wael, who through the Middle Ages ruled the western seaboard, and the island was part of the lands owned by the O'Malley family. The ruins of her castle, one of several she owned, the rest are on the mainland, overlooks the anchorage 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'Malley's and contains the O'Malley tomb, a possible burial site of Grainne O'Malley, and the Abbey is also well known for its rare medieval wall and ceiling paintings. In 1588 a ship from the Spanish Armada was wrecked on Clare Island and its cargo was looted and its men all killed by the O'Malley clan.

A very prominent landmark of the island at its northern tip is the disused lighthouse at Lechnacurra Point. After 159 years it was finally taken out of service in 1965 to be replaced by the modern Achillbeg Island lighthouse on the south side of Achill Island. The old lighthouse can be seen in the distance as you approach the islands harbour, it operated for sometime as a luxury B & B but it is now in private ownership.

The island is well worth a visit as it is the highest of the truly offshore islands of Ireland, and gives the visitor spectacular views of the County Mayo coast.

Facilities are somewhat limited, the island's shop and post office is out by the Abbey, and the hotel/ hostel, restaurant, pub and coffee shop are near to the harbour.

Interestingly Clare was the first of the Irish offshore islands to have broadband internet access, and also the island features in a song by the Irish folk/rock band the Saw Doctors from their 1996 album Same Oul' Town, in the song the band immortalise the island describing it as a haven from hectic city life.

What facilities are available?

There is a shop and post office out by the Abbey on the south coast, and near the harbour there is a hotel/hostel, restaurant, pub and a coffee shop.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research