(d2) Mutton Island, Caherush Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Quilty, Co. Clare

Sale Type: For Sale by Private Treaty
Overall Floor Area: 185 ac STUNNING WEST OF IRELAND HISTORIC 185 ACRE ISLAND UNIQUE GEOLOGY AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A SPECIAL PIECE OF IRELAND

LOCATION

Mutton Island sits resplendently in the shimmering waters of Caherush Bay, just 2kms off County Clare’s western shoreline at Quilty.in The Atlantic Ocean.

Mutton Island is located just 38kms north east of Loop Head and the Shannon Estuary and 22kms south of the Aran Islands and the famous Cliffs of Moher.

Access to the island is by private chartered boat from Seafield Harbour at Quilty or potentially by helicopter from Shannon Airport which is just 30 minutes inland.

HISTORY

Mutton Island is an incredible scenic island with an astonishing history.

It was once home to a fishing community village the last of whom left in 1956. The population peaked in the 1920’s. Accordingly to the medieval chronical – The Annals of The Four Masters—Mutton Island once belonged to a much bigger island called Fitha. The island was struck on March 16th 804 by a tsunami caused by an earthquake. Which reuce its size

Reputedly, the Spanish Armada graveyard was located on the site. The Sao Marcos floundered in 1588 as part of the mighty fleet attempting to invade England. The 790 ton galleon carried 33 guns, 292 soldiers and 117 sailors. Most drowned.

The shape of the island was friend to the smugglers for centuries and provided numerous caves for hiding contraband, mainly wine. Mutton Island’s historical importance is tested by the presence of a single tower built to watch for an Napoleonic invasion in the 19th century.

Previously, Mutton Island was in the ownership of the Archbishop of Cashel in 1215. It later passed to the O’Brien’s, then Earls of Thomond during the 1700’s.

By 540 AD the first recorded building was erected on Mutton Island by St. Senan who built a church and found a monastic settlement.

DESCRIPTION

Mutton Island contains approximately 185 acres of mainly arable land, sitting on a sandstone reef.

The island is a quite un-spoilt, and is an area of natural beauty, rich in history, geology, archology and botany. Today, the watch tower is still standing with a cottage along its eastern shores, that could appeal for refurbishment and extension.

A fresh water lake of 3-4 acres is in the centre of the island. Together with fresh water springs.

Mutton Island forms part of Mid Clare Coast Special Protection Area and is one of five wild foul sanctuaries in County Clare.

TITLE

The property is comprised within Folio CE53795F County Clare and extending to 75.27 hectares (185.9 acres).