About Heir Island
Heir Island ( or Hare Island ), sometimes called Inishodriscol (Irish: Inis Uí Drisceoil, meaning “Ó Driscol’s island”) is an island that lies Southwest of County Cork, Ireland. It has a year-round population of around 25-30. The island is 2.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. It is the fourth largest of Carbery’s Hundred Isles, after Sherkin Island, Clear Island and Long Island. It is a mere 5 minute ferry trip from Cunamore and is is beautifully located, surrounded by a panorama of Sherkin Island, Cape Clear, the Calf Islands, The East and West Skeams, and Mount Gabriel to the North.
The island is a little piece of heaven tucked away in a corner of Roaringwater bay – offering a unique unspoilt landscape dotted with charming cottages dating back to the 1920′s. It is an ideal destination for sailing, swimming, diving and for walking enthusiasts to enjoy its abundant flora and a necklace of wonderful safe sandy beaches. Artists and photographers derive inspiration from the spectacular views of Carbery’s Hundred Isles and the Fastnet Rock. The island’s coastline combined with it’s great location also make the island a great base to discover more of the nearby islands of West Cork.
Beautiful flora of the island
Just one of many beautiful views from the island
Heir Islanders have a passion for their native place and the island has attracted many devotees, so rich is its flora and fauna, landscape and so hospitable its people. Somehow it is a place where nature caresses the senses, where one feels protected from the trial and tribulations of the modern world. It is the sort of place that you dont know you are searching for until you get there.
Cunamore point is the destination for ferries from a range of some of the most beautiful locations in west cork including Heir Island. You can also get the ferry to Heir Island from Baltimore and Cunamore Point is just 12 km from Skibbereen and just 120 km from Cork. For more information, check out the Location page.
Skibbereen is a historic place in itself. The failure in the potato crop during the 1840s was a transforming event in Ireland and no other event in our history can be likened to the Great Famine for either its immediate impact or legacy. The Skibbereen area was one of the most badly affected and the mass graves of between 8,000 and 10,000 famine victims in abbeystrewery cemetery are testament to the tragic consequences of the catastrophic failure of the potato crop in the area. For more information about local and the island’s history check out the History page.
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