Clare Island, County Mayo, has been likened to a great sleeping whale guarding the entrance to Clew Bay. Its dramatic contour dominates much of the south Mayo coastline as it overlooks beautiful Clew Bay and its 365 miniature islands.
Clare is a hillwalkers haven, a birdwatchers
paradise, a divers nirvana. It is also a natural monument to Irish history
- its myriad of archaeological artefacts unfolds the story of ancient
history, its lazy-bedded landscape is a testament to the treachery of
the 19th century
Great Famine and the toll of landlordism.
Over 1600 people lived on the island in the 1830s.
Nowadays a vibrant community of 150 celebrate their unique past and embrace modern living in perfect balance.
The location
Situated beside the harbour and in the shadow
of pirate queen Grace O'Malley's 15th century castle, Granuaile House
overlooks the island's main beach. With its golden sands and clean waters
the sand-duned beach is ideal
for sunbathing, picnicking, swimming and a wide variety of watersports.
The History
Historic Granuaile House has been home
for the McCabe family, and their many guests, since the early 1900¹s.
Numbered amongst its first visitors is famous naturalist, Robert Lyodd
Praeger, author of The Way that I Went. Praeger led the Clare Island
Survey which is classified as the most comprehensive natural history
survey undertaken in Europe at the time.