Capel Island (Gaeilge: Oileán an Cháplaigh[1]) is a small island in County Cork, Ireland located a short distance from Knockadoon Head, near Youghal.
Native name: Oileán an Cháplaigh | |
|---|---|
 View from the sea | |
  Capel Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 51°52′57.36″N 7°51′11.88″W / 51.8826000°N 7.8533000°W |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Cork |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Features
editCapel Island and Knockadoon Head were legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1985.[2] Most of the reserve, 314 acres (1.27 km2), is owned by the state, with a small part in private ownership 40 acres (0.16 km2). The reserve includes Capel Island, Knockadoon Head and the area of sea between.[3]
The tower on the island is an incomplete 19th century lighthouse. The island is home to a herd of goats.[4][5]
A story is told of how the island got its name. There was a swimming race to reach the island for ownership. As one man was about to touch land the other reached forth his sword and pipped him at the post. A name associated with this story is De Capel Brookes.[citation needed]
Permission from BirdWatch Ireland is required in order to land on the island.[4]
References
edit- ^ Logainm.ie
- ^ "S.I. No. 381/1985 - Nature Reserve (Capel Island and Knockadoon Head) Establishment Order, 1985". electronic Irish Statute Book. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ "Capel Island and Knockadoon Head Nature Reserve". National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ a b MacCarthy, Dan (11 September 2017). "Discover the lighthouse that never was". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ "Knockadoon Slip". eoceanic.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.