186ac island for sale off Clare coast presents unique opportunity

Aerial view of the 186a Mutton Island, Co. Clare.

For sale with Streets Ahead Properties in Ennistymon is the offshore island of Oileán Caorach – aka Oileán na gCaorach or Mutton Island.

The 186-acre property is part of a Special Area of Conservation and located just off the Clare coast near Quilty. As such, its usage has certain restrictions, but for grazing sheep or goats, it offers a large quantity of acreage. Furthermore, its unique qualities make it an attractive option for people from all walks of life who share a grá for island life.

Auctioneer Matthew Griffin says that although the property is not long on the market, there are already a handful of people who have expressed keen interest in the island, with enquiries from both private and public sources and from farming and non-farming backgrounds.

“There have been four people visit Mutton Island so far,” says Matthew. “One interested party is an events organiser… he might run a weekend event for a couple of thousand people, each paying €400 or €500. They would stay overnight on the island in tents.

“There’s also a man with farming interests and a Clare background who has expressed interest in it.”

Mutton Island is the largest offshore island in County Clare and Quilty is a mere 1.5km away. It had a vibrant community at one stage, with people living there up until the 1940s.

Today, you can have access to the island, its substantial acreage and its relatively undisturbed natural habitats for a sum in the region of €1.8m (€9,700/acre).