Heir Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Inis Uí Drisceoil
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 Heir Island
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Carbery's Hundred Isles |
| Coordinates | 51°30′N 9°26′W / 51.500°N 9.433°W |
| Area | 1.5 km2 (0.58 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
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Ireland
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| Province | Munster |
| County | Cork |
| Barony | Carbery West |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 29 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 20 /km2 (50 /sq mi) |
Heir Island (also known as Hare Island) is a small island located off the southwest coast of County Cork, Ireland. Its Irish name is Inis Uí Drisceoil, which means "Ó Driscol's island". About 25 to 30 people live on the island all year round.
Heir Island is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) wide. It is the fourth largest island in a group called Carbery's Hundred Isles. The main way to reach the island is by ferry from Cunnamore Pier.
Contents
Island History
Long ago, Heir Island was home to many more people, sometimes as many as 400! Families like the McCarthy and O'Neill families lived here for many years. The O'Neill family even owned the island's first post office.
People on the island used to make a living by fishing or farming. But it was often hard to earn enough money. Because of this, many young people moved away to places like England, the USA, and Australia. Even today, you can find many descendants of the original islanders still living and working on Heir Island.
In the 1960s, many old houses were sold. The new owners often fixed them up to use as holiday homes. You can still see these restored houses all around the island today.
The number of people living on Heir Island has changed a lot over the years. You can see how the population grew and shrank in the table below:
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Heir Island Today
Heir Island has a small village called Paris. This area was once very important for fishing. Fishermen would bring their daily catch here to be prepared and packed. Paris is known for its narrow bridge, which is only wide enough for one car.
You can still see many old ruins on the island. These ruins show how many more people used to live here. The old schoolhouse and the schoolmaster's house are on the main road. The island also has two piers. Today, the island's shop is located at Burke's, which is also home to the Roaringwater Sailing School.
Nature and Beaches
The island has a special area for wildlife and several beautiful beaches. The most famous beach is called Sandy Beach, or Trá Bán. It's a sandy stretch on the east side of the island, facing Baltimore. In the summer, small boats often land here.
Getting to the Island
The main way to get to Heir Island is by taking the M.V. Thresher ferry. It leaves from Cunnamore point and goes to the island's main pier. During the summer, it runs six times a day, every two hours, from 8 AM to 6 PM. This ferry can also go to nearby islands and Baltimore if you ask specially.
Another ferry, the M.V. Boy Colm, also offers trips from Baltimore and Cunnamore to Heir Island and Sherkin Island in July and August. You can also arrange special trips to other places. If you want to go fishing or take an "eco-tour" around Roaringwater Bay, the M.V. Norvic ferry can take you.
Food and Services
Heir Island has a restaurant called "The Island Cottage." It's famous for its fresh "catch of the day," which changes with the season. You might find shrimp, lobster, salmon, crab, and other local fish. There's a special evening ferry that leaves Cunnamore at 8 PM and returns at midnight, but you need to book it in advance, just like the restaurant.
The island gets its electricity from the mainland through a special cable that runs under the sea.
Island Geography
Heir Island is home to over 200 different kinds of wildflowers! The island has many beaches and tall cliffs on its southwest side, known as The Dún. From the island, you can see the many other islands of Carbery's Hundred Isles. You can also see Mount Gabriel near Schull. The island has about 360 acres (1.5 square kilometers) of good land, some of which is left natural.
Every year, there is a special mass held at the children's famine memorial. This memorial is for all the children who sadly died on the island during times of famine or from illness. It's located near the Old Schoolhouse in the middle of the island and is marked with a large cross.
Island Tourism
While only 25-30 people live on Heir Island permanently, the population grows to about 150 during the summer. This is because many people come to stay in the holiday homes.
Even though the island doesn't have a pub, it offers many things for visitors. You can find bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), holiday rentals, and an art gallery. There's also a sailing school and an outdoor activities camp. If you're looking for relaxation, there's a holistic therapy center. The island has one main restaurant and a pop-up restaurant at the Sailing School.
You can also get fresh bread from the Firehouse Bakery, where they even hold baking courses! Heir Island is also home to several artists, and you can see their work in the island's galleries.
The island is a great place for bird watchers. It has many different types of natural areas, like coasts, forests, marshes, and heathland, which attract a variety of birds.
Heir Island is one of seven islands in West Cork where people live all year round.
