Life as Dursey Island’s cable car operator: 'I’ve had some famous people over the years'

In the first of a five part series on council workers, Sarah Horgan chats to Paul O'Sullivan who operates the Dursey Island cable car

Paul O’Sullivan reflects on his unique role as senior operator of Ireland’s only cable car over open sea — a job that, despite the falling island population, brings plenty of curious visitors. Picture: Chani Anderson

"The world’s most beautiful office” is how Dursey Island’s cable car operator Paul O’Sullivan describes his dream job of ferrying tourists and the island's handful of residents across the Dursey Sound, part of West Cork's stunning Beara Peninsula.

One can’t help but bask in the radiance of the island’s picturesque skyline and it’s a sight that has delighted Paul since his first shift aboard the tourist attraction in 2004. 

Paul had been doing relief work with Cork County Council on the cable car before losing his esteemed colleague Paddy Sheehan in 2017. Paul’s much-loved predecessor passed away suddenly at 58, hours after an early-morning mercy mission taking a vet to the island.

Paul, a father of three, took on the cable operator role full time following Paddy's untimely death.

While passengers are busy taking in the intoxicating sights and snapping selfies galore, the cable car operator goes about his daily business, maintaining the vehicle and operating controls to ensure its safe crossing.

And the Dursey cable is not without its own set of challenges. The aerial tram is the only one of its kind in Europe to stretch across open seawater. Paul skims the sky daily for a 374-metre trip which takes around 10 minutes each day.

While passengers are busy taking in the intoxicating sights and snapping selfies galore, the cable car operator goes about his daily business, maintaining the vehicle and operating controls to ensure its safe crossing. Picture: Chani Anderson

The attraction has experienced a lot of changes over the years. Livestock that once frequented the cable car have now been replaced by SuperValu bags. Paul has, on occasion, delivered bottles of milk to islanders desperate for the bare essentials. 

Just four full-time residents remain on the island now, and cattle — once transported sky high — now make their way to the mainland via a separate ferry.

The 56-year-old said he is happy to roll with the times, however, and points out some of the positive developments in recent years. These include a €1.6m upgrade completed in June 2023, two years after Storm Barra battered the country.

Works included a complete redesign of the cable car’s towers and its island anchor frame, as well as a structural, mechanical, and electrical analysis of the cableway system.

Paul said that much has changed in the last 15 years.

“You get farmers doing daily commutes who are looking after livestock on the island,” he said.

“Almost all of the farmers on the island have a farmhouse on the mainland too. They can stay on the island if they need to. There are about four living full-time on the island, but that can go up to 10 when the holiday homes are occupied. 

Livestock that once frequented the cable car have now been replaced by SuperValu bags. Paul has, on occasion, delivered bottles of milk to islanders desperate for the bare essentials. Picture: Chani Anderson

Paul recalls some of the more unusual passengers transported in the past. "It was different doing the cable car in 2010, because you never knew what you were going to come across. 

"I’ll always remember getting a phone call years ago about a farmer bringing his bull out. That was before we had the cameras, so you couldn’t actually see the animal in the cable car. I was really taken aback at the size of him. He was a Charolais bull, so I was relieved — to say the least — when we docked on my side.” 

The unique mode of transport now caters for more than 20,400 tourists per year.

He adds:

We are on call for and have responded to a number of medical emergencies in the past. There have been occasions where tourists have been injured on the island

"I remember one occasion when a lady injured her ankle on the island. We brought her back to the mainland, and I got a thank you card from her afterwards which is always nice. 

The Dursey Island cable car now caters for more than 20,400 tourists per year. Picture: Chani Anderson

"The most rewarding part of my job, though, has to be the smiles on people’s faces after travelling on the cable car. It’s seeing the wildlife like the dolphins and whales. We also have some extremely rare birds such as the chough, which is like a crow with a red beak and red legs. 

"You never know who you are going to meet in the cable car. I’ve had some famous people over the years, including the television presenter Christine Bleakley. It doesn’t matter who people are. 

Well known or not, I really enjoy meeting with new people

"It’s always a positive experience. I feel really lucky to be doing what I’m doing. As far as I’m concerned, this is the most beautiful office in the world.”