Cape Clear home the perfect retreat

Liosamona is a 120-year-old traditional home sitting on half an acre, Tommy Barker reports

YACHTWATCHING will replace birdwatching over the coming few days as over 300 yachts race past west Cork’s Cape Clear Island to round the Fastnet lighthouse, nearly five miles from Cape, in the landmark race which has been going every two years since 1925.

Those living on Cape are in any case entirely familiar with the vagaries of the oceans, the weather, and fashions in boating: there’s not much more to do on the island bar look and take in what’s around you, and the minutiae of the day.

A great vantage point to watch select slices of life go by is this island home at Liosamona, a 120-year old traditional stone-faced two-up, two-down facing towards Schull, Roaringwater Bay, and the myriad other, lower Carbery islands, many with seasonal human populations.

Estate agent Charles McCarthy, home and dry in nearby Skibbereen, is selling this neat island package on a half acre of ground with detached garage. He says this hillside home has been recently upgraded, with a sun room added on. It has oil central heating and double glazing and is a walk-in job, a mile’s walk from the pier and bars on Cape which has a year-round population of over 100, and regular ferry services to Schull and Baltimore.

VERDICT: If you want to leave the woes of the world behind you Cape Clear can give as little or as much isolation as you’d want.