Baltimore, West Cork

Planned Celebrations for TITANIC Day on Cape Clear Island
Wednesday 11 April 2012.

The celebrations of the Centenary of the Titanic’s departure from Cobh will commence with a Titanic Themed Fancy Dress in Club Cléire for all the family from 7 to 10 pm. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in different age groups

Up to 10 years of age
10 to 18 years of age
Over 18 years

The theme of the event shall be the ‘American Wake’ and all available musicians and singers are invited to contribute. The Club itself will be decorated in a Titanic theme and island residents with old chests or other items which might create the required ‘atmosphere’ are asked to loan them for the event.

Between 9 and 10pm as night falls a beacon shall be lit on one of the Island’s high points.

Ceiliúrach an Titanic ar Oileán Chléire
An Ceadaoine 11 Aibreán 2012

Tosóidh an ceiliúradh céad bliain seo ar seoladh deireanach an Titanic ó Cobh, Chorcaí le Coisír Feisteas Bréige don clann ar fad bunaithe ar théama an Titnaic sa Chlub idir 7pm agus 10pm. Bronnfar duaiseanna le haghaidh na feistis is fearr ins na rannóga éagsúla mar seo a leanas:-

Faoi 10 mbliain d’aois
Idir 10 agus 18 bliain d’aois
Thar 18 bliain d’aois

Is é an ‘American Wake’ an téama don trathnóna agus tugtar cuireadh do ghach ceolteoir agus amhranaí gur féidir leo a bheith i láthait. Beidh an Chlub féin maisithe I dtéama ‘Titanic’ agus iarrtar ar áitreoirí go bhfuil propanna acu a bheidh oiriúnach iad a thabhairt ar iasacht.

Idir 9 agus 10 pm le titim na hoíche lasfar tine cnámh ar ceann de árd phointí an Oileáin.

ENDS

Now available in ‘Wings’ Magazine

Aficionados of Cape Clear and especially those with interests in wildlife and ornithology will be delighted with the spring edition of ‘Wings’, the official magazine of Birdwatch Ireland which boasts a special feature on Cape Clear Island. Penned by resident warden Steve Wing, the three page spread provides a stunning map of the Island with accompanying commentary on the most popular bird watching spots interspersed with superb photos. It reminds us that during late April and May the Island is one of the best places in Ireland to witness spring migration. Appropriately sub titled “your two-day spring itinerary” it provides all necessary guidance for a few days bird watching on the Island.

Some of the areas included are also prime spots for whale and dolphin watching, with species such a Common Dolphins, Porpoises, Minke Whales and Basking Sharks amongst others regularly seen.

Having had a hand myself in various maps of Cape Clear over the years I can say with some authority that this particular one is one of the best and most attractive yet produced for its clarity and presentation and would be useful for anyone interested in walking on the Island as it also includes the red and green walking trails developed in recent years. Elsewhere in the magazine details are given of the range of weekend and week-long residential bird watching and ecological courses proposed for 2012 from €95.

‘Wings’ is available to members of Birdwatch Ireland which is €40 p.a. for adults. More information available at www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Séamus Ó Drisceoil,

Cape Clear Island

ENDS

Wildlife Courses on Cape Clear Island – 2012

Birdwatch Ireland has recently published its list of wildlife courses proposed for Cape Clear Island for 2012. The Bird Observatory has been a feature of the Island for over 50 years which is a key destination for birdwatchers and naturalists from all over the World. The courses cater for both newcomers and experienced alike and vary from two to five days. All courses include both indoor and outdoor sessions in some of the most spectacular scenery one can imagine.

Full details are available on the Birdwatch Ireland website (http://www.birdwatchireland.ie)

Courses take place from May to September.

ENDS

Aficionados and learners of our native Irish language together with enthusiasts of all things nautical should refer to this months Saol, the online Irish Language magazine where the beginners or learners section, ‘Leathanach na bhFoghlaimeoirí’ has an interesting article, ‘An Dá insint’ translated as the ‘Two Sides’, meaning the two sides to every story. This shows an impressive recent picture of the Dún an Óir 11 ( Cape Clear Ferry) taken by Mary Cadogan which has been artfully and imaginatively used to portray the thoughts and emotions conjured by such a picture and provides a good insight into Island life while also providing an opportunity to polish up some terms ‘As Gaeilge’. The author Fiachra Ó Tóirne, knows his subject intimately having spent 2010-2011 on the Island with his family. Click here for more

Provided by Séamus O’Drisceoil. Thank you Séamus for this.