Basking Shark Siting

Nuala, a hostel guest, reports seeing a Basking Shark on the 5.30pm ferry trip to Cape. Photographs from onboard the ferry by Nuala.

Pierce Hickey - RIP.

Sad news with the passing of a lovely man, Pierce Hickey. He was admired by all who knew him. His funeral was held in Skibbereen on 9th April and attended by his many friends from around the county. He will be sadly missed by us all in Cape Clear. Only last year he could be heard playing his trumpet in the club while Fionnghuala sang - a real triumph and a privelige to hear pierce play and Fionnghuala sing.

I met Pierce for the first time when I visited the island back in 2002. Pierce was doing a little gardening at his house up the Glen and stopped to talk to us, I was on a day trip with Sinead. He regaled us with his love of Cape and it was this meeting that encouraged us to swap our life in an English city and move to the island. We will always be thankful to Pierce for his kind words and taking the time to stand and talk -  a true gentle-man.

The Mystery of the balls on the gate.

Cape Clear Hostel has opened its new entrance gates, replete with enourmous green balls (which originally were fishing floats which washed up on the beach). A local dignatry, Danny Stewart, a musician of some renown, was pleased to be invited to officially open the new gates. Danny stepped in at the last moment when President Obama pulled out claiming other work committments - it just goes to show that you can't trust any politicians - altough we will give him the benefit of the doubt for a while longer. We did also try quite a few other people from Madof to a passing flounder to Bertie. But Bertie has opened so many things, usually wrapped in brown paper, that we thought better of it. Someone said that 50cent wrapped in brown paper might not be appreciated and would probably illicit lots of comments from him, unlike earlier amounts which failed to get him talking at all. We were really hoping to get a fresh face but couldn't find one in time so we settled on a crusty, old, wrinkly face instead. Thank you Danny for taking the time to open our gate.

Easter Weekend

The weather was sunny for much of the time, evidenced by the many red flushed faces dashing about the place.

The Easter Egg Hunt was played out on the Camp Site with one of the toughest quizes anywhere - makes your head spin just to think of the questions, let alone work out the answers. Gorgeous cakes, snacks & drinks, made and supplied by various islanders, were devoured by the hungry mob. This is a lovely tradition on Cape and thanks must go to Fiona, the organiser, and her helpers for making such a great success of this annual event.

There was also a pub quiz and raffle which raised €400 for island causes.

If you have children then make plans now to bring them to Cape next Easter they will love it and you too will become regular visitors.

Dolphin Washed up on Beach.

A Rissos Dolphin, around 10ft in length, was washed up a week or so ago on the Glebe beach down beyond the North Harbour. Not a pleasant sight.