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My Ireland

Looking for inspiration? Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you.

  • #Landscapes
  • #CultureandHeritage
  • #OutdoorActivities
  • #Landmarks
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    Dursey Island, County Cork

    If you want to get away from it all, a quirky journey to Dursey Island in County Cork is definitely the place to head…
    • #Landscapes
    • #IrelandsIslands
    • #WildAtlanticWay
    County Cork
    Amazing Landscapes
    2hr 30mins from Cork Airport

    Dursey Island, West Cork

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    Idyllic island

    Lying beyond a tumultuous sound at the tip of the Beara Peninsula, you’ll find Dursey Island. Situated along the west coast of County Cork and along the Ring of Beara, Dursey Island is the most westerly of Cork’s inhabited islands.

    Dursey is dotted with historic husks: the ruins of a church said to have been founded by monks from Skellig Michael, a Naopleonic-era old signal tower, a castle built by O’Sullivan Bera.

    To get there, the Dursey Island Cable Car is your means of transport…

    Getting to Dursey Island

    It’s not possible to pre-book places on the cable car. It runs continuously all day until early evening. The trip takes eight minutes to get to the island.

    Dursey Island, West Cork

    Cable car tales

    Strange as it seems, this hardworking contraption is the only one of its kind on the island of Ireland. Hop on board the steel capsule at Ballaghboy, feel the click of the door as it closes, and sit back as you’re hauled 250m across the Atlantic Ocean (look out for dolphins in the blue below).

    Dursey Island’s cable car spares islanders the hazardous journey across the sound. It carries tourists, islanders and supplies, dogs and bicycles. Wisps of hay stick out of the seat.

    It’s like a Coney Island fairground ride ending at a fantasy Irish landscape – though if time or inclination are limited, there are stunning views from the Beara Peninsula too. Either way, it will be etched in your memory forever.



    High in the sky

    See the Dursey Island cable car in action here! It's one of the most unique journeys you’ll take on your trip to the island of Ireland, and you'll find out that it’s also one of the best!

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    Watch now

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    Dursey Island, West Cork

    Walking into the wilderness

    Visitors can trace a 9km looped walk, taking in Atlantic vistas, ragged cliffs and ancient patchworks of ditches and dry-stone walls. Stark, desolate and small, the island is a haven of tranquility. There are no honking horns or bustling commuters here.

    Dursey’s soundtrack is composed of waves, wind and the call of teeming seabirds. It’s a complete and utter escape. The only deadlines belong to the cable car returning you to the mainland.

    More around West Cork

    Discover these great things to see and do:

    Attraction

    O' Neill's Bar & Restaurant

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Accommodation

    Hungry Hill Lodge & Campsite

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    Berehaven Lodge Restaurant

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    MacCarthy's Bar at the Glengarriff Park Hotel

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Accommodation

    Eccles Hotel

    4/5

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    MacCarthy's Bar at the Glengarriff Park Hotel

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    Bere Island Ferries

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Accommodation

    Dzogchen Beara Retreat Centre

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Accommodation

    Summer Hill

    4/5

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    Allihies Copper Mine Tour

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Attraction

    Beara Baoi Tours - Dursey Island

    Visit website

    Cork

    View details

    Getting to Dursey Island

    Whether you're flying or coming by ferry, Cork is your nearest arrival point. But Shannon Airport and Rosslare Europort are pretty easy distances, if you want to take the scenic route.

    Start your journey