Native name: Cliara[1] | |
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 Clare Island fromClew Bay | |
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  Clare Island Location in Ireland | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 53.°48.13′N9°59.17′W / 53.80217°N 9.98617°W /53.80217; -9.98617 |
| Archipelago | Clew Bay |
| Total islands | 141[2] |
| Area | 4,053 acres (1,640 ha) |
| Coastline | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 462 m (1516 ft) |
| Highest point | Knockmore |
| Administration | |
Ireland | |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Mayo |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 138 (2022)[3] |
| Pop. density | 7.8/km2 (20.2/sq mi) |
Clare Island (Irish:Cliara orOileán Chliara), also historicallyInishcleer,[1] is a mountainous island guarding the entrance toClew Bay inCounty Mayo, Ireland. Historically part of the kingdom ofUmhaill, it is famous as the home of the 16th century pirate queenGráinne O'Malley. The population of the island is 138 according to the2022 census.[3]To the south-west liesInishturk (inhabited) andCaher Island (uninhabited), and to the north isAchill Island.
Through theMiddle Ages, Clare Island was part of the lands of the O'Malley family. The ruins of an O'Malley tower-house, known asGranuaile's Castle because of its most famous resident, are close to the pier at the eastern edge of the island.[4]Clare Island Abbey near the south coast of the island was founded by the O'Malleys and contains the O'Malley Tomb, a possible burial site ofGráinne O'Malley. The Abbey is known for its rare medieval roof paintings. In 1588, a ship from theSpanish Armada was wrecked on Clare Island and its men were killed by the O'Malleys.
A very prominent landmark of the island is the Clare IslandLighthouse, established by John Denis Browne, the1st Marquess of Sligo, in 1806. On 29 September 1813 a fire, caused by careless disposal of the oil-lamp wicks, destroyed part of the tower and the lantern. The rebuilt light was ready in 1818. In 1834, the tower was struck by lightning. The lighthouse was decommissioned on 28 September 1965, replaced by the modernAchillbeg Island lighthouse on the south side ofAchill Island.
Clare Island Lighthouse has been refurbished and is now an upmarket guesthouse, while its optic is on permanent rotating display at theWorld of Glass museum and visitor centre in North West England.
The table below reports data on Clare Island's population taken fromDiscover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and theCensus of Ireland.
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| Source:Central Statistics Office."CNA17: Population by Off Shore Island, Sex and Year".CSO.ie. Retrieved12 October 2016. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Between 1909 and 1911, theBelfast naturalistRobert Lloyd Praeger led an exhaustive biological survey of the island, theClare Island Survey, which was unprecedented at the time and served as a template for future studies.A new study of the Island was made in 1990 to 2005 and the results were published in six volumes, the last of which was published in 2007.[5] This is reputedly the only survey of its kind in Europe and is serving as a model for measuring theeffects of climate change on environment.[6]
Three species of freshwater red algae have been recorded from Clare Island:Batrachospermum atrum (Hudson) Harvey,B. turfosum Bory andLemanea fucina Bory.[5]
Clare Island is accessible by daily ferry services from Roonagh Pier nearLouisburgh. The island has a hostel, a fewbed and breakfasts and ayoga and meditation centre. The island also has a bicycle rental facility.[7]
The island has its own primary school and a post office. Children go to the mainland for secondary school education. The harbour, located on the SE of the island, offers good shelter in all winds with West in them, but is completely open to easterly winds. The piers are not suitable for yachts to come alongside[8] but in the summer Mayo county council maintains a number of moorings for visiting yachts. The inner harbour dries out with a sandy bottom.[9]
The island features in the song "Clare Island" by the Irish folk-rock band, theSaw Doctors from their 1996 album,Same Oul' Town. In the song, the island is described as a haven from hectic city life. It is also mentioned in the lyrics of the song "The Green and Red of Mayo".
Clare Island is the setting forBob Quinn's filmBudawanny (1987). He also shot a documentary on Clare Island, titledThe Island, in 1966.[10]
Clare Island is the setting for the Michael Morpurgo bookThe Ghost of Grania O'Malley.[citation needed]
The Clare Island Film Festival has been run annually since 2014.[11]
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