Fastnet Rock Lighthouse & Cape Clear Island tour departing Schull. West Cork. Self-guided.

Join this tour from Schull harbour leaving at 11h30 with a crossing on the ferry through the beautiful waters of Roaring Water Bay and arrive in the wonderful north harbour on Cape Clear Island. Spend some free time exploring this Gaeltacht Island learning about the island’s culture, the islander life, including old traditions and traditional farming. The island offers the visitor superb marked walking trails. Discover the island’s ancient standing stones, Napoleonic Tower, Dún an Óir Castle, 12th century church and visit the memorial on the Island to the 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race Disaster.Whilst exploring this wonderful island you can see the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse in the distance from one of the spectacular look out points on the walking trials, or enjoy some fresh Island produce during lunch at one of the island’s bars and restaurants. After lunch we re-board the ferry where our experienced local captains proceed further out into Ireland’s real Wild Atlantic Way. You might even catch a glimpse of the magnificent whales and dolphins en route!As we slowly circumnavigate the tallest and widest Rock Lighthouse in Ireland and the UK, take in its deep history and culture as it plays through the on board audio system. Famous for being the “Teardrop” of Ireland, the last glimpse of Ireland that the immigrant ships saw before they headed over the horizon to the New World, America. As you listen your breath will be taken away while you try to comprehend how man could live in such isolation on what was also known as `An Carraig Aonair` which means` Lonely Rock’ or how in 1985 a wave broke the lens of this ocean giant that stands 159 foot tall.Once we have circled the Rock twice, in different directions, so all passengers can get the perfect photo, we head for home enjoying the spectacular scenery until we reach our final port of Schull. Departure from Baltimore at 10.30am & Schull at 11.30am. Returning to Baltimore at 4.45pm and to Schull at 4 pm. For groups of 30 or more we can arrange fully guided private departures to the Fastnet Rock at a time that suits with or without the Cape Clear Island stopover. We can customise the tour to suit the group’s requirements further if required.Passengers can start their journey in Baltimore and finish in Schull. Baltimore-Cape-Schull or Schull-Cape-Baltimore.