Cape Clear Island
Clear Island or Cape Clear Island (officially known by its Irish name: Cléire, and sometimes also called Oileán Chléire) is an island off the south-west coast of County Cork in Ireland. It is the southernmost inhabited part of Ireland and had a population of 110 people as of the 2022 census.
Native name: Cléire | |
|---|---|
View from the island's South Harbour | |
Cape Clear Island Cape Clear Island (Ireland) | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Carbery's Hundred Isles |
| Coordinates | 51°26′N 9°30′W |
| Area | 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi) |
| Length | 5.2 km (3.23 mi) |
| Width | 2.4 km (1.49 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
| Highest point | Cnoicín an tSeabhaic |
| Administration | |
Ireland | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Cork |
| Barony | Carbery West |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 110 (2022) |
| Pop. density | 18.6/km2 (48.2/sq mi) |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | capeclearisland |
| The island is a Gaeltacht | |
The island is a Gaeltacht area (Irish-speaking area), in which Irish is spoken on a daily basis. The nearest neighbouring island is Sherkin Island, which is 2 kilometres (1 nautical mile) east of Cape Clear Island.
The island is divided into east and west halves by an isthmus called the Waist, with the North Harbour to the landward side and the South Harbour on the seaward side. Ferries sail regularly from the North Harbour to Schull and Baltimore on the mainland. The South Harbour is a popular berth for yachts and pleasure boats during the summer months.