Cape Clear’s Car Graveyard

What happens to old cars is one of the harsh realities of island life that doesn’t make it into the tourist brochures.

Getting a dead vehicle off Cape Clear isn’t as simple as calling a scrap dealer as everything has to go by ferry, which makes the economics of removal pretty grim for islanders already dealing with the higher costs of island living. It’s a stark reminder that even in Ireland’s most picturesque corners, people have to deal with the mundane realities of modern life, including what to do with that blue van that’s given up the ghost and will never make another trip to the mainland.

Cape Clear Island, located about 13 kilometres off the coast of West Cork, has a permanent population of around 120 people and faces unique challenges with waste disposal due to its remote location. All waste, including scrap vehicles, must be transported by ferry to the mainland, making disposal expensive and logistically complex. The island’s small size (just 6.5 square kilometers) means that space for storing unusable vehicles is extremely limited, leading to accumulations like the one shown in this photograph. Irish islands have lobbied for government assistance with waste disposal costs, as the expense of transporting bulky items like cars can be prohibitive for island communities with limited resources.

#abandonedCars #automotiveGraveyard #CapeClear #CapeClearIsland #cars #Cork #CountyCork #environmentalChallenges #Ireland #IrishIslands #islandInfrastructure #islandLife #islandLogistics #OileanChléire #Photo #Photography #remoteCommunities #ruralIreland #scrapyard #vehicleDisposal #wasteManagement

Cape Clear’s Car Graveyard

What happens to old cars is one of the harsh realities of island life that doesn’t make it into the tourist brochures.

Getting a dead vehicle off Cape Clear isn’t as simple as calling a scrap dealer as everything has to go by ferry, which makes the economics of removal pretty grim for islanders already dealing with the higher costs of island living.

https://inphotos.org/2025/07/29/cape-clears-car-graveyard/

#Cork #Ireland #photo #photography #CapeClear

A Quiet Walk on Cape Clear

Two people walking along the road by the south harbour on a pleasant, warm day in 2013. I haven’t been back there in a long time, but hopefully, I’ll make a return this summer.

#CapeClear #Cork #cottages #countryside #family #Ireland #Landscape #Nature #OileanChléire #Photo #Photography #scenicWalk #travel

A Quiet Walk on Cape Clear

Two people walking along the road by the south harbour on a pleasant, warm day in 2013. I haven't been back there in a long time, but hopefully, I'll make a return this summer.

https://inphotos.org/2025/05/14/a-quiet-walk-on-cape-clear/

#photo #photography #CapeClear #OileanChléire #Cork #Ireland

The boats of Cape Clear

Some of the boats docked at the harbour in Cape Clear, Co Cork. This was in August 2013, the last time I’ve been there, when we walked up and down the hills of the island and enjoyed the sunny day.

#2013 #boats #Canon6D #CapeClear #CapeClearFerry #Cork #harbour #Ireland #OileanChléire #Photo #Photography #Water

The boats of Cape Clear

Some of the boats docked at the harbour in Cape Clear, Co Cork. This was in August 2013, the last time I've been there, when we walked up and down the hills of the island and enjoyed the sunny day.

https://inphotos.org/2024/12/18/the-boats-of-cape-clear/

#photo #photography #CapeClear #Cork #Ireland #boats

5th March is the feast of Naomh Ciarán of Cape Clear (Oileán Chléire). He is also known as St Ciarán of Saigir and St Piran in Cornwall. On Cape Clear there is a cross-inscribed pillar stone known as Gallaunkeiran where ‘rounds’ (devotional prayers) where done on the eve of the saint’s feast day. To find out more visit https://coolimbooks.com/naomh-ciaran-of-cape-clear/

#StandingStoneSunday #CapeClear #WestCork #RoaringWaterBay #Cork #Ireland #Cornwall #IrishSaints