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April
Centenary Anniversary Celebrations of Titanic on April 12th 2012
Cape Clear Island to take part in Centenary Anniversary Celebrations of Titanic
Next April 12th 2012 is the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic's doomed maiden voyage from Cobh and it will be celebrated with a series of events along the West Cork coast from Kinsale to Beara.
It all starts at 2.30pm, the time the Titanic departed Cobh on her fateful trip.
Cape Clear Island has agreed to take part, together with the other coastal communities and, appropriately, given the spirit and traditions of the Island, this will take the form of a fire beacon to be lighted on the cliffs close to the Old Cape Clear Lighthouse and Napoleonic Watchtower and Signal Station.
The Titanic passed Cape Clear Island and the Fastnet Lighthouse on its fateful journey.
The Fastnet Rock is also known as 'Ireland's Teardrop' as it was the last part of Ireland seen by many emigrants sailing to the New World.
Cape Clear Island was the last inhabited part of Ireland seen from the ships carrying the emigrants.
Many Capers were emigrants themselves and made the harrowing journey. It is said that the last tearful sight of Ireland they got was the burning beacons lit by the hands of family and friends at the precise time the ship was due to pass Cape Clear.
More information at the Beara Tourism website.
Easter Weekend
Traditional Music session on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Cape Clear Annual Easter Egg Hunt Quiz – More than a quiz and much more than a hunt (Easter Sunday).
Each year teams of people, consisting of islanders and visitors & adults and children, are formed to compete for the Cape Clear Golden Egg.
The event is a moveable feast, one year in the North Harbour and the next in the South Harbour. It all starts with a quiz with almost impossible questions, and then moves on to the hunt proper.
The teams are given the first clue and must decode it to find the next, and the next, and the next……. until they discover the Golden Egg.
Sounds easy enough and you can take part regardless of the level of personal fitness or general knowledge…this is where teamwork comes in, for it is important to have a good mix of young and old, fit and unfit in your team because the hunt can stretch from one end of the harbour to the other. The hunt is always at breakneck speed for those desperate to win, whereas others are happy to take part for the fun of it.
Tiny Tots Easter Egg Hunt (Easter Sunday)
This event is designed for the very little children - every child is guaranteed to win a chocolate egg or two!
Both events are free to enter and sponsored by various Cape and other businesses – donations are welcome to ensure this annual event continues for many more years to come.
May Weekend: 29th April / May 2012
Traditional Music; Bird Watching Walk; Whale Watching Trip; Guided Walks; Book Launch
Cape Clear Island Annual Walking Talking Weekend started a couple of years ago to coincide with the introduction of a looped walk on Cape it has now developed into an annual event. It offers a range of gorgeous walks throughout the Island guided by individuals wise enough (or is it mad enough) to leave the rat race and live on a ‘remote’ island.
The knowledge we impart on these walks include snippets on the Island’s history, folklore and ecology but, remember, it is a talking tour as well as a walking tour where all members (if they feel they want to) are encouraged to tell their own ‘story.’
The Island has a variety of terrains and stunning scenery and is also famous for bird watching and whale & dolphin watching. Recommended evening entertainment is informal with local musicians and singers. Costs range from €5 per guided walk, to €15 for the Whale Watching trip, to €15 for a recommended evening meal.
See the Cape Clear Hostel page for schedule of walks and events over the weekend.
September
The Storytelling Festival, in September each year, is eagerly attended by guests from around the world. Richie and Sinead are proud sponsors and supporters of the Storytelling Festival, hosting two of the sessions in the hostel every year. Come in October and join Chuck Kruger’s Storytelling Workshop where you will learn the ancient art of Storytelling.
