Capel Island

Capel Island (Gaeilge: Oileán an Cháplaigh[1]) is a small island in County Cork, Ireland located a short distance from Knockadoon Head, near Youghal.

Capel Island
Native name:
Oileán an Cháplaigh
View from the sea
Capel Island
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates51°52′57.36″N 7°51′11.88″W
Administration
ProvinceMunster
CountyCork
Demographics
Population0

Features

Capel 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.

Permission from BirdWatch Ireland is required in order to land on the island.[4]

References
  1. Logainm.ie
  2. "S.I. No. 381/1985 - Nature Reserve (Capel Island and Knockadoon Head) Establishment Order, 1985". electronic Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. "Capel Island and Knockadoon Head Nature Reserve". National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  4. MacCarthy, Dan (2017-09-11). "Discover the lighthouse that never was". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  5. "Knockadoon Slip". eoceanic.com. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
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