A great idea for a family day trip is a visit to the most westerly of West Cork’s inhabited islands, Dursey Island, accessible from the mainland by Ireland’s only Cable Car. An early start is advisable to fully enjoy this hugely popular, unique experience. Running 30 metres over the dolphin-strewn Dursey Sound, Cable Car trips begin from 9am daily from Ballaghboy on the tip of the Beara Peninsula (approximately 30 minutes drive from Berehaven Holiday Resort)

Part of the Beara Way, explore the three now largely deserted villages of this historical island: Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael and Tilickafinna and gain a unique insight into the past ways of life of the islanders. The impact of emigration coupled with an Irish Government scheme to relocate islanders to the mainland sees now just three full time inhabitants on the Island, a dramatic reduction from 358 inhabitants in 1841 and 96 inhabitants in 1951.

Off the western end of the island there are three large rocks, named Bull, Cow and Calf, the latter home to the dramatic Calf Rock Rescue of November 1881 carried out by a group of Dursey men and commemorated by a plaque in Ballaghboy. Hiking, bird watching, whale watching, breath taking views and a plethora of historical sites all make a trip to Dursey Island a worthwhile experience.