Cape Clear’s Car Graveyard

What happens to old cars is one of the harsh realities of island life that doesn’t make it into the tourist brochures.

Getting a dead vehicle off Cape Clear isn’t as simple as calling a scrap dealer as everything has to go by ferry, which makes the economics of removal pretty grim for islanders already dealing with the higher costs of island living. It’s a stark reminder that even in Ireland’s most picturesque corners, people have to deal with the mundane realities of modern life, including what to do with that blue van that’s given up the ghost and will never make another trip to the mainland.

Cape Clear Island, located about 13 kilometres off the coast of West Cork, has a permanent population of around 120 people and faces unique challenges with waste disposal due to its remote location. All waste, including scrap vehicles, must be transported by ferry to the mainland, making disposal expensive and logistically complex. The island’s small size (just 6.5 square kilometers) means that space for storing unusable vehicles is extremely limited, leading to accumulations like the one shown in this photograph. Irish islands have lobbied for government assistance with waste disposal costs, as the expense of transporting bulky items like cars can be prohibitive for island communities with limited resources.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length77mm
ISO1000
Shutter speed1/320s

A Quiet Walk on Cape Clear

Two people walking along the road by the south harbour on a pleasant, warm day in 2013. I haven’t been back there in a long time, but hopefully, I’ll make a return this summer.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length105mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/250s

The boats of Cape Clear

Some of the boats docked at the harbour in Cape Clear, Co Cork. This was in August 2013, the last time I’ve been there, when we walked up and down the hills of the island and enjoyed the sunny day.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length73mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/320s

The Rocks of Oileán Chléire

When you visit Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear) look to the left and you’ll see this formation of rocks.

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 6D
Focal length 82mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/320s

Oscar in the Buggy

As 2014 draws to a close in a matter of hours I had to post this photo of Oscar that represented his life in the last two years until his death just over a month ago. He was never a very active dog but he found it difficult to keep going when we were out so more often than not we also took a buggy with us. We walked the islands of Cape Clear and Sherkin with him, we walked around County Cork and Kilkenny and Waterford. We took holidays in pet friendly accommodation so he could be with us. He was a rescue dog who became a king.

The end of a year is the closing of a chapter in our lives, with new delights and adventures in the next year. Happy new year!

A Cup among the the rocks

The smooth uniform texture of a cup contrasted with the rough and weathered stones of a wall on Cape Clear Island. Somewhere near where I took the previous shot I saw this cup at the side of the road and was struck by the oddness of it’s placement.

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 28mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/100s

Cape Clear Road

A view of the main road on Cape Clear Island, a small island off the coast of west Cork. I’ve walked this road many times but never noticed that you can see the Baltimore Beacon from here until I took this photo…

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 200mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/200s

Old House on Oilean Chleire

Just up the hill from the North Harbour on OIlean Chleire off the County Cork coast.

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/250s