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Chléire Haven

1 acre hosted by Chleire H.
A glamping retreat on one of Ireland's most breathtakingly remote islands

If West Cork, as the locals will tell you, is 'A Place Apart', what does that make Cape Clear Island? Situated eight miles south-west of the Irish 'mainland', this is the southernmost inhabited part of the entire Emerald Isle. The most extreme point, Fastnet Rock, sits 4 miles further out and is known as 'Ireland's Teardrop' as it was the last bit of land seen by those setting sail for a new life in America. If you still need a sense of perspective of how breathtakingly remote this place is, there's a helpful signpost to greet you on arrival – 'Dublin 165nm; San Francisco 4884nm; Murmansk 1624nm'; it's a long way from Cape Clear to... well, just about anywhere. You can almost hear the familiar twangs of the Father Ted theme as you make the passage over Roaringwater Bay from delightful Baltimore's pier. But this is as far from Craggy Island's exposed wind-battered dot as you can get. Divided in two by an isthmus separating east from west, Cape Clear's lush contours provide natural shelter for the frequent yachts and passenger ferries who dock at her north and south harbours. The hills here are an ever changing palette of vibrant wild flowers, yellow gorse and purple heather, yielding to the warm autumnal gold of the bracken. And on the grassy slopes overlooking the island's south harbour, you'll find a suitably spectacular glamping spot to do justice to this Irish island paradise.

Cape Clear, Chléire, Cleire (Oileán Chléire is the proper Irish name for this predominantly Gaeltacht island), whatever you call this place, there's no disputing the allure of glamping at Chléire Haven. Helmed by English expats Dave Calvert and Sally Davies, this stunningly-located site is the perfect retreat for those who've ever cast a dreamy gaze out to sea and wondered what adventure waits across the waves. While the camping contingent are catered to here with 25 well-kempt pitches, it's the glampsite that really makes this the hassle-free holiday you dreamed about. The cosy yurts come fully-furnished with all the ususal kit and kaboodle including double beds (with bedding) and wood-burning stoves, while the gas cooker supplied and the firepit/BBQ available means this is still 'proper' camping.The tipis are more modest with just camping mats, rugs and cushions. Eco-conscious to the last, Dave and Sally have installed solar lighting and the showers are also solar powered. Whatever dwelling you decide on, there really isn't a bad spot on the whole 5km-long island.

The sea and air surrounding Chléire are brimming with all manner of aquatic and avian visitors. It's a mecca for twitchers, with thousands of rare migratory seabirds stopping over at the island – eager ornithologists darting across the island to confirm rumours of a rare sighting are as common a sight as the sooty shearwater. And if you don't know what that is, The Cape Clear Bird Observatory has all the information you'll need to tell your kittiwake from your fulmar.

The calm coastal waters make for perfect kayaking too. If you're lucky, you might get up-close and personal with the brazen seals, or enjoy an acrobatic display from a pod of dolphins. Whale watching tours are a common sight on the seascape, with the waters surrounding Ireland home to some 24 different species of cetacean. Join one of the charters from Baltimore to see if you can spot basking sharks, orca, the extremely rare sunfish, and even fin whales, second only to the blue whale in size.

For history buffs, there's enough neolithic and Celtic artefacts to keep even Tony Robinson struggling for superlatives. The ruins of O'Driscoll's Castle are straight out of a swashbuckler, while the monolithic marriage stones are essential visiting if you seek that long and happy relationship...  

You might think an island retreat like this means little more than relaxing and finishing that doorstep hardback you've thumbing through all year. But Chléire has a jam-packed social calendar, belying its diminuitve size. The Cape Clear Walking Talking Festival in May is one of the highlights. It's a great chance to meet the locals, with green-fingered Sally even leading the festival's guided Garden Walk. The Irish, as we know, spin a good yarn and the Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival is a showcase for the best of them every September.

The North Harbour is the main hub of island life, and a few evenings spent in either of the island's two watering holes will have you rubbing shoulders with the majority of the 125 laid-back residents, who'll happily teach you a few choice phrases in Irish to wow the folks back on the mainland. For a bit of craic, Club Chléire is the island-run social. There's usually a trad session on most weekends in the summer, so if you strum, pluck or know how to handle the bodhrán, the more the merrier.

A few songs and a few scoops later, the gentle trundle back to Chléire Haven may take a little longer than expected. As you stop to gaze at some of the starriest night skies you're ever likely to see, soundtracked by those crashing North Atlantic waves, you may find yourself absent-mindedly arguing your case for nominative determinism – for a stay on Clear really does clear away the stresses and strains you left behind as soon as you got off the boat.

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Location
Co. Cork, Republic of IrelandTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Chleire H.Joined in March 2015
From the host
A glamping retreat on one of Ireland's most breathtakingly remote islands
Nearby attractions
Though small, Chléire is brimming with sights of historical and zoological significance. Cape Clear Museum (00353 28 39119) offers a fascinating insight into the island's heritage, particularly its maritime past and WWII shipwrecks. There are several neolithic and Iron Age Celtic structures, including the island's famous marriage stones which are believed to date as far back as 4,000 BC. Late summer is the time for spotting rare migratory seabirds – be sure to check out the Cape Blear Bird Observatory (00353 28 39181) for the latest courses. Minke, pilot, humpback and even killer whales are occassional visitors to these waters, and Whale Watch West Cork (00353 86 120 0027) run tours departing from Baltimore Harbour on the mainland, stopping at Clear for refreshments (ask the captain nicely and he might let you off here). Keep your eyes peeled for the more frequent dolphins, seals, basking sharks and the occassional leatherback turtle. For a closer inspection of life beneath the surface, sea kayaking (00353 28 39135) at the south harbour can be arranged. The daily Fastnet Tour (00353 28 39159) circumnavigates the famous isolated lighthouse, offering a fascinating insight into 'Ireland's Teardrop'. The annual Cape Clear Fun Charity Day takes place every August, while the Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival sees out the summer season.
Food and drink

'Cook-your-own' breakfast packs can be pre-ordered (one per person). There's tea and coffee available to buy onsite, plus free-range eggs, island-grown salad and veg, plus homemade chutnies all sourced from Cape Clear Farm (00353 86 832 2855). The famous Cleire Goats farm (00353 87 797 3056) sells delicious cheese, sausages and even ice-cream made from the herd. There are a handful of pubs on the island. Cotter's Bar & Ciaran Danny Mike's (00353 28 39153) both serve decent pub grub, and owners Ciaran and Mary promise a warm welcome... and even a song or two from guitar-toting Mary. Séan Rua's Restaurant (00353 28 39099) also doubles as the island shop, while Club Chléire (00353 28 39119) is the island-run social, which hosts live music most weekends during the summer. Yearly membership is just €5, with any profit ploughed back into preserving the island.

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