Cape Clear Island in Roaringwater Bay

I’m always up for a boat trip through Roaringwater Bay to Cape Clear. Whether it’s on the ferry from Baltimore, passing the iconic Baltimore Beacon and Sherkin Island. Or on a sailing boat from Schull, passing Long Island, Goat Island and out into the open water of the bay. The crossing never fails to entertain. There is so much to see and photograph that you hardly know where to look first. The scenes flash by quickly, and digital photography proves to be a real blessing here. Just imagine having to change the film on a rocking boat after 36 frames instead of shooting nonstop.

On my last visit, Cape Clear greeted me with thick sea fog. The island was shrouded in a blanket of mist, as if it wanted to hide itself from the gaze of new arrivals. It was a mythical sight, which I was more than happy to capture from the boat. The fog didn’t obscure many of the highlights anyway, as the sights of Cape Clear can be counted on one hand. There are ruins, a rugged coastline and the sweeping view across the sea to Fastnet Rock. All beautiful, all to be found elsewhere too. However, anyone who spends a little longer on Cape Clear will come to appreciate the seclusion and tranquillity. Because out here, you’ll search in vain for noise, hustle and bustle, and distractions.

For me, a visit to Cape Clear is above all a wonderful opportunity to cross Roaringwater Bay once more. Sometimes you simply moor up to treat yourself to a cappuccino, provided the coffee machine at Sean Rua’s by the harbour is working. Here, the journey itself is the real destination.