Mackerel arrive South Harbour, Cape Clear Island, 24 May 2010

A shoal of mackerel were seen to make the sea 'boil' with their frantic feeding around 9am this morning.

Basking sharks arrive in South Harbour, Cape Clear Island, 24 May 2010

They were sighted at 2.45pm. They usually stay around for a couple of weeks. This year is a little earlier than the last few years.

Minke Whales spotted from ferry to Cape 19th May 2010.

Well it was not nearly as clear a view as the dolphins in the famous photograph published in the Examiner last year. The whales were a little way from the ferry but their backs and fins could be clearly seen.

We hope that visitors and islanders will keep us appraised of any further sightings during the year.

Basking Sharks near North Harbour of Cape Clear Sunday 16th May 2010.

We are pleased to report that the Basking Sharks are back. What appeared to be a mother and her young were seen feeding a little way before the opening to the harbour. A real treat for the visitors arriving on the ferry.

Basking sharks have appeared in the south harbour in June and July over the last few years.

Irish Language Students:

June 3rd/4th sees the arrival of around 180 Irish students to the two Irish Language Colleges on Cape Clear. They spend three weeks here at a time being immersed in the Irish Language. It certainly brings a summer feeling with the brightly coloured clothes that they all wear these days and with the laughter and joy as they all go swimming in the South Harbour for the first time.