Clare Island

By Ryan Hamilton Black

Clare Island stands guard at the entrance to Clew Bay off Ireland western Atlantic
Coast for almost two centuries. The island light house has become a national
landmark perched on the craggy cliffs watching over.

Fearless leader by land and by sea, the "most notorious woman in all the coast of
Ireland" Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Connacht, was the 14th great grand
other of the generation of sisters currently running the Westport House estate.
She was born on Clare Island. Clare Island Castle was the stronghold of the Pirate
Queen Grace O'Malley.

The small 12th century Cistercian Abbey contains the OMalley Tomb, the burial
site of Grinne OMalley. The Abbey boasts the best example of rare medieval
roof paintings in Ireland. The paintings depict mythical, human & animal figures
including dragons, a cockerel, stags, men on foot and on horseback, a harper,
birds & trees.
The Lighthouse
Clare Island stands guard at the entrance to Clew Bay, off Irelands western
Atlantic coast. For almost two centuries, the islands Lighthouse has been a
nautical landmark perched high on the craggy cliffs, watching over Achill,
Westport and beyond. It was once a safe haven for sailors.






Grace OMalleys Castle
Clare Island was the stronghold of the Pirate Queen Grace OMalley (Granuaile), a
historical figure in 16th century Irish history. So widely known was Granuaile
that she was received with full honours at the Tudor Court of Elizabeth 1st. On
entering Clare Island harbour visitors are struck by the large stone tower which
served as Granuailes castle.






The Abbey
The small 12th century Cistercian Abbey contains the OMalley Tomb, the burial
site of Grinne OMalley. The Abbey boasts the best example of rare medieval
roof PAINTINGS in Ireland. The paintings depict mythical, human & animal figures
including dragons, a cockerel, stags, men on foot and on horseback, a harper,
birds & trees. The Abbey a national monument in state care underwent a major
conservation project in the 1990s which revealed many new images.




Clare Island Wildlife
In Clare Islands Cliffs, there live a large number of sea birds, like the gannets, and
puffins. There are also birds of prey on the island including falcons, kestrels and
sparrow hawks. Other birds on the island are sparrows swifts, skylarks, wagtails,
these birds are sometimes seen on our gardens too.

Puffin
Sparrow Hawk
The Napoleonic Tower

The Napoleonic signal tower, situated at the western point of Clare Island was
built in 1804 in response to the impending threat of a Napoleonic invasion. The
Clare Island tower forms part of a group of many other towers along the west
coast of Ireland.