Islands of Ireland: Poets inspired by Adam’s Island and Eve’s Island in West Cork

Dan MacCarthy looks at the history of Adam’s Island and Eve’s Island in Co Cork

Adam's Island, Glandore Harbour, Co Cork. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

At almost 30m high, Adam’s Island at the mouth of Glandore Harbour in West Cork is not the most elevated island, by a long stretch, to appear in this column. However, for anyone standing on the island, or sailing past, the cliffs look formidable enough. By comparison, Eve’s Island further in, is very small and its only worthiness really is to accompany the larger island in the biblical nomenclature.

For over 100 years Glandore was the playground of the Protestant Ascendancy where the huge mansions hosted lavish parties. There was a very Victorian ethos to the village which was reflected in the ornate language describing the loveliness of the place. The irresistible attractions of the area have moved people to record their feelings in poetry and must have been the subject of many an easel too over the years. In 1905 a correspondent, Richard G Aldridge, recorded his impression of the area in a piece reprinted in the Carlow Sentinel: