Sherkin Island (from the Irish Inis Earcáin ) lies southwest of County Cork in Ireland alongside other islands of Roaringwater Bay. It has an average population of 100 people, measures 3 miles long by 1.5 miles wide (5 km by 3 km). The island has a primary school, two pubs with a hotel, B&B, community centre and a church.
Tourism
The Ferry to Sherkin sails from Baltimore on the mainland. This island is an attractive tourist destination and it takes just 10–15 minutes to get to Sherkin from Baltimore. The journey to the neighbouring Gaeltacht island Cape Clear takes on average approximately 40 minutes.
Sherkin has its own special character. A West Cork anecdote has it that Sherkin's residents live off their art: island craft, paintings and book writing all inspired by Sherkins tranquil lifestyle.
The busiest season starts with school summer holidays when people with young families visit the island. The busiest day of the year is a celebration of Sherkin Regatta, usually held on the 3rd weekend in July, but which is postponed to August if weather does not allow. On this day the island is crowded with sea rowers and their fans. Children's activities, music and food stalls are all part of this Sherkin fair.
Weather
Sherkin is second most southerly point of Ireland after Cape Clear. When the frost covers the lawns of Baltimore just across the water, the grass stays green on the island. Like any other coastal part of Ireland, Sherkin can get quite windy. The weather pattern since 2002 seems to be changing, but observations show – early spring with sunny spells throughout February, sunny days during the Easter break, wet beginning of the summer, hot August, unexpectedly dry and sunny September, known as Indian summer.
People of Sherkin
Sherkin was once a busy island and had a population of around 1,000, which started diminishing during the Great Irish Famine in the mid-19th Century. Now the population is reduced and varies greatly between the summer and the winter months, with increases in summer as people return to holiday houses and tourists arrive. People from all over the globe discovered this secluded spot and consequently settled down here: America, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain and Russia. The new arrivals integrate well with the Irish community which is still the lifeblood of the island. Amongst Sherkiners one can find artists, book writers, musicians and photographers ( Terry Farnell and Nuala Mahon ), beekeepers and pilots, cattle, mussel and oyster farmers, biologists, botanists and oceanologists, fishermen and sailors, teachers and doctors, horselovers and strawberry growers.
Transport
Sherkin's ferry boat is the Mystic Waters. During the summer (roughly 1st of June-30 September) it makes ten daily trips from 7.45 to 20.30 on weekdays, from 9.00 on Saturdays and from 10.30 on Sundays. For the winter months the last ferry leaves Baltimore at 17.30, with late ferries on three days:
- Wednesdays & Saturdays at 19.00 and
- Fridays at 20.30
Special ferries are available at an extra charge. Vincent O’Driscoll
Sherkin has narrow roads filled up with old cars that the islanders bring from the mainland. Some Sherkiners are using old bangers that are no more suitable for the mainland and some are using more advanced transport options: ATV's. Cycling and walking is a common activity amongst the healthier Sherkiners with an occasional horse ride also an option. There is a rural transport service on the island, it meets every ferry and costs €2 per trip. Sherkin does not have a helicopter field yet, possibly because there are too many cows around.
Artifacts
- Promontory fort Celtic Iron Age 600 B.C. - 400 A.D.
- Franciscan friary Medieval post 1200 A.D.
- Medieval post 1200 A.D. O'Mahony Castle
There are a few local remains left on Sherkin, with some of them being restored. A friary, the Mainster Inis Arcain is just uphill from the ferry pier. The set of O'Driscoll Clan - Dun-na-Long Castle. These two buildings were heavily damaged in 1537 when citizens of Waterford invaded the island after a dispute over a seized and plundered ship. Sherkin has its own Lighthouse, maintained by locals. It is situated at Barrack Point and dates back to 1835. This is automated at present with a light that marks the southern entrance to Baltimore Harbour and the Baltimore Beacon. On the south-western side of the island there is a fully functioning church.
Things to do on Sherkin
Sea trip
Visitors can take a direct ferry trip to Sherkin or book sea safari trip round the islands. Tourists can also avail of guided tours around the islands.
You can also go sailing aboard the schooner ‘Anna M. There are day or half-day trips from Sherkin or Baltimore, with the object of observing the dolphins, whales and sea birds that frequent the coast of West Cork, or just enjoying the thrill of sailing a powerful classic sailing boat and exploring the islands of Roaringwater Bay. All trips are skippered by an experienced local yachtsman.
Exploring the Island
Once on Sherkin pier, people can wander off into Franciscan friary, if it is open. It is locally known as "the Abbey" and has a photo exhibition inside and some displays outside. Tourists can climb up the stairs on to an open landing to observe local scenery: the Beacon, Baltimore harbour, Sherkin pier, fields with cows and the old post office. Most families go straight to the beach (Silver Strand, Cow Strand or Trabawn) and visit local exhibitions on the way or visit Horseshoe Harbour. Nuala Mahon's garden is open to the public, ask at the Tigin takeaway for directions.
Food, Drink, Music
In the summer, there are three places:
- local Tavern Jolly Roger
- the Islander’s Rest Hotel
- An Tigin Takeway on the way to the beach and sometimes the Beach Snack Bar is open.
A pint and good, plentiful home-cooked food is available in the Jolly Roger, and the hotel serves pints and bar-snacks. The Jolly has a nice sheltered beer garden, with tables to sit out in front and view the harbour. There are frequent sessions by local musicians, most notably on a Sunday afternoon. The hotel has an open-plan beer garden and function room, all facing the Baltimore harbour.
If you visit Sherkin in August, there are abundant wild Blackberries, just walk along the roads and pick them to make blackberry tarts.
Camping, Picnics, BBQs
Sherkin is an excellent place for camping. Silver Strand beach and Horshoe harbour are good locations. However, the land is private, the owners are reasonable if you don't leave litter and use the toilets in the pubs.....
Sherkin is one of the cleanest islands. But it has no local rubbish disposals, so all campers are encouraged to bring minimum packaging and make sure to take the litter back to the mainland or recycle cans and bottles on Sherkin pier. The best place for BBQ's is Silver Strand. There is a choice of soft grass or warm sand to rest on.
Sherkin Art
Mainly open May-September, but ask on the ferry anyway.
- Craft studio beside Jolly Roger Tavern
- the Abbey – sometimes art affairs are organised and filmed inside there
- sea style oil paintings by More activities
- kayaking (visitors rent or bring the kayaks from the mainland)
- surfing (Cow’s Strand seems to be the best, since there are less rocks)
- cycling – the island is not as hilly as Cape Clear Island, but still it has its highs, so be prepared, bring water bottle, sunglasses and don’t forget the camera.
- sailing – during the summer sailors can avail of the Islander's Rest Marina with boat moorings, showers and toilet facilities. There are sailing courses available through Glenan’s Sailing Club and Baltimore Sailing Club.
- swimming and water safety – winter and summer lessons available right on the Sherkin pier. And don’t forget to do your Christmas Baltimore to Sherkin swim competition.
- beach – safe beaches, as locals joke no sharks observed but bring
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