Sherkin Island

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

Ferries sail to Sherkin from Baltimore and Schull 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 ( [http://www.sherkinphoto.com/gallery_94496.html Terry Farnell] and [http://www.mahons.org Nuala Mahon] ), [http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/countries/ireland/walking-in-ireland-sherkin-island-12.htm beekeepers] and pilots, cattle, mussel and oyster farmers, biologists, botanists and oceanologists, [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/galeria1/imagepages/image63.html fishermen] and sailors, teachers and doctors, horselovers and strawberry growers.

Transport

Sherkin's ferry boat is the [http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/countries/ireland/walking-in-ireland-sherkin-island-2.htm Mystic Waters] . During the summer (roughly 1st of June-30th September) it makes [http://www.sherkinisland.com/Page_11x.html 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 20.30Special ferries are available at an extra charge. [http://www.sherkinferry.com/ 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 [http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/countries/ireland/walking-in-ireland-sherkin-island-4.htm 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. A local taxi service is available for most of the season (ask for Dan on the ferry). Sherkin does not have a helicopter field yet, possibly because there are too [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/galeria1/imagepages/image79.html 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 CastleThere are a few local remains left on Sherkin, with some of them being restored. A friary, the Mainster Inis Arcain is just [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/galeria1/imagepages/image52.html 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 [http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/searchbrowse?q=sherkin&uname=turlyo&psc=G&filter=1#46 church] .

Things to do on Sherkin

ea trip

Visitors can take a direct ferry trip to Sherkin or book [http://www.baltimoreseasafari.ie/ sea safari] trip round the islands. Tourists can also avail of [http://tenislandtours.com/ guided tours] around the islands.

You can also go sailing aboard the [http://www.gannetsway.com/sail/ 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 [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/opactwo/imagepages/image20.html stairs] on to an open landing to [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/opactwo/imagepages/image1.html observe] local scenery: the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
] , Baltimore harbour, [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/opactwo/imagepages/image12.html Sherkin pier] , fields with cows and the [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/opactwo/imagepages/image9.html old post office] . Most [http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/searchbrowse?q=sherkin&uname=turlyo&psc=G&filter=1#4 families] go straight to the beach (Silver Strand, Cow Strand or Trabawn) and visit local exhibitions on the way or visit Horseshoe Harbour.

Food, Drink, Music

In the summer, there are three places:
* local Tavern [http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/searchbrowse?q=sherkin+jolly+roger&uname=turlyo&psc=G&filter=1#0 Jolly Roger]
* the Islander’s Rest Hotel
* An Tigin Takeway on the way to the beach and sometimes the Beach Snack Bar is open.

Pints etc, are available in the Jolly Roger and in the hotel. The Jolly has a nice sheltered beer garden, tables to sit out in front to view the harbour. The hotel has open plan beer garden, restaurant 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 [http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PhotoNbr=1&MemberId=187044206&PhotoAlbumId=1038130905 camping] . Silver Strand beach and Horshoe harbour are good locations with many amenities: wind shelter, swimming, eating out, toilets, music and drink.

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 [http://www.atlantic-english.com/images/photos/students/tomico/Sherkin_island_barbecue_07_medium.jpgwarm sand] to rest on.

herkin 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 [http://www.warren-gallery.com/category.asp?CatID=183&offset=6 Majella O'Neill]
* cozy oil paintings by [http://picasaweb.google.com/turlyo/SherkinAug2007/photo#5107097294400463298 Kordula Packard]
* [http://claushavemann.com/picture_library/index.html Claus Havemann's] work
* John Simpson’s work
* Terry Farnell's photography

More activities

* [http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/searchbrowse?q=sherkin&uname=turlyo&psc=G&filter=1#23 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 a lifejacket. Bring your bodyboard and wetsuit for a winter time and sunscreen for the summer. Depending on the tide, there are enough shallow parts for the children, private spots for couples and grass for picnics. Sand is suitable for sandcastle-making and artistic writing.
* hen parties – feast for local men, exotic location for the bride-to-be. These are usually held in the Hotel, as a pre-party warm-up. Local council prohibits Sherkin skinny dips unless sober.
* visit Heir Island - [http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/countries/ireland/walking-in-ireland-heir-island.htm Sherkin neighbouring island]

Developing the Island

The issue of island’s future has always been a controversial one. The island is looking to employ a development officer. It already has its community based formation called SIDS Sherkin Island Development Society.Amongst the issues is the population of the island. As any community, Sherkin strives to be self-sufficient. There were many ideas put forward to develop the island, some more practical than others:
* increasing population of the island through attraction of new families
* creating local employment (grants available for vegetable yards, Island cleaning, Sherkin guiding tours)
* Sherkin produce: honey, dried local herbs (gourmet, tea and beauty), local baking, Sherkin souvenir making
* local stable broadband (to enable work form home option for professionals and others)
* paper, plastic and cardboard recycling system
* alternative energy sources (use of tidal ocean power)
* afforestation
* option of buying food locally for the elderly
* possible tourist transportation options: taxi service; bicycles to let; horse and carriage trips and ATV's.
* developing off-season activities (sea-kayaks for rent, swimming lessons and life-saving cources)
* sports centre for the residents (small gym proposed)
* children's playground (proposed to Clonakilty Cork County Council)
* dog's and cat's 'babysitting' services
* island-mainland bridge

ee also

* List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland (County Cork)
* [http://www.londonisfree.com/cgi-bin/mtldf/mt-search.cgi?tag=John%20Simpson&blog_id=14&IncludeBlogs=14 Local artists exhibit in London] Paintings by Ian Humphreys, Monica Boyle and John Simpson,from February 25th until April 5th
* [http://corkarts.cust.nitroweb.net/artinfo/artist.php?id=175&category=Visual_Arts&group=Individual%20Artist Kordula Packard exhibitions ] on Sherkin

External links

* About [http://www.islandtripper.com/islands.php?id=4 Sherkin]
* Google Map of [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sherkin+island&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.819956,82.265625&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=51.478176,-9.41597&spn=0.094511,0.32135&z=12&iwloc=addr Sherkin]
* [http://www.sherkinisland.eu/ www.sherkinisland.eu view] pictures of Sherkin and [http://www.odriscolls.me.uk/baltimore1.htm view Baltimore] or [www.sherkinphoto.com buy] Sherkin photography
* Leave your comments or read Sherkin travelling tips [http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/675dd/47d9f/?frdir=yes here]
* Local [http://tenislandtours.com/ Islands tours] and Sherkin [http://www.sherkinferry.com/ ferry timetable] , ferry tickets to West Cork islands on [http://www.islandtripper.com/ www.islandtripper.com]
* Sherkin and [http://www.odriscolls.me.uk/sherkin.htm O'Driscoll clan]
* Local Festivals & Events [http://www.baltimore.ie/festivals/index.html www.baltimore.ie]
* Sherkin pub [http://www.emara.com/jolly/ Jolly Roger Tavern]
* Local marine paper [http://www.sherkinmarine.ie/sherkincomment.htm "Sherkin Comment"]
* BBC about [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/opencountry_20020824.shtml Sherkin life & Marine Station]
* Sherkin Accommodation
** [http://www.gannetsway.com/ Horseshoe Cottage]
** [http://www.islandersrest.ie/ Islander's Rest Hotel]
** [http://www.sherkinisland.com/Page_30x.html "HorseShoe Bay House" B&B]
** [http://www.daft.ie/searchshortterm.daft?id=4592&search=1 Modern holiday home]
** [http://www.sherkinislandhostel.com/ Sherkin hostel] (not running currently, [http://www.greenbelt-property.ie/ra_view_listing.php?ListingID=139 up for sale] )
* Property for sale
** [http://liamhodnett.ie/property-ireland-297.html Sherkin Cottage]
** [http://www.greenbelt-property.ie/ra_view_listing.php?ListingID=139 Sherkin Self-catering Accommodation]
** [http://www.daft.ie/searchsale.daft?search=1&selected_agent=&id=169435&s%5Bagent_id%5D=2386&s%5Bp%5D=yprruuuw Sherkin Hotel]