West Cork island facing annual fight to attract families amid fears for school’s future

The children of just one family living on Cape Clear make up the school’s four pupils

Just three months ago, Cape Clear’s Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Chléire’s future seemed assured with the prospect of three new families sending their children there from September. But none of them started as expectedPicture: Neil Michael.

One of the country’s last remaining island primary schools faces an annual fight to attract families with children for the “foreseeable future”, say residents.

Just three months ago, Cape Clear’s Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Chléire’s future seemed assured with the prospect of three new families sending their children there from September.