Co Clare: €2.1m Pounding surf, crashing waves, and a converted lighthouse on romantic Clare Island off the coast of Co Mayo. It could be yours for €2.1m, writes Michael Finlan
The legend of Granuaile, the daring sea queen of western Ireland, still stirs romantic memories on Clare Island at the mouth of Clew Bay in Mayo, where one of her castles stands and where she's reputed to be buried.
It was from Clare Island that Grace O'Malley sailed to England and up the Thames for an extraordinary meeting with another queen, Elizabeth, who treated her Irish royal sister with great dignity and respect and acceded to a number of requests made by Grace.
Today at the north end of the island, a dramatic lighthouse built in 1806 still towers on a cliff above the wild Atlantic where Queen Grace ruled the waves.
This historic lighthouse on the northern heights of Clare Island looking across to Achill and enfolded by Croagh Patrick and the other ancient mountains on the mainland of west Mayo, has now been put up for sale, presenting the opportunity for a truly unique home in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland.
The asking price is €2.1 million and the sale is being handled by Ganly Walters in Dublin.
The original tower was built in 1806 by the second Marquis of Sligo (who travelled around Greece with Byron the poet) and 12 years later, the taller lighthouse tower that dominates the building was added along with additional dwellings for the keepers.
For 159 years the powerful beam from the lighthouse cut through the night darkness to steer trading ships away from the treacherous rocks in the sea around the the cliff.
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1965 and since then it has been in residential use. Over the past few years the very finest materials have been used in a massive and meticulous refurbishment of the main keeper's residence which has been extended and renovated without any loss of its essential character.
For several years the lighthouse was run as a guest-house whose lovely setting attracted guests from many parts of the world.
The property that is now on offer on the heights of the 4,000-acre island consists of the main residence, two lighthouse towers - including further bedroom suites - and various outbuildings.
Those outbuildings have an inviting potential for further conversion and extension to provide more accommodation of whatever type.
The main residence has been renovated and refurbished to a very high standard, including new wooden-framed double glazed windows throughout, a new roof, heating systems and other modern amenities.
While still having the romantic atmosphere that surrounds all lighthouses, this special building is now a very comfortable home in an idyllic location.
Staying there you can enjoy modern comfort amid the nostalgic and unique atmosphere of the old lighthouse, listening to the Atlantic surf pounding the cliffs below.
Clare Island is in Clew Bay, off Westport. Known as the pearl of the west coast, it is the largest of the 365 islands in Clew Bay and is 3.5 miles from the mainland.
Much of Ireland's history and pre-history, its geological and biological landscape, can be explored within the island's landscapes.
Its western cliffs are among the most dramatic on Ireland's north-west coast. The island has a thriving community of some 160 people.
It is accessible by ferry from Roonagh Pier, two miles from the village of Louisbourg.
Clare Island is linked with the mainland by two ferry operators: Clare Island Ferries Limited and O'Malley's Ferries Services.
The duration of the crossing is about 25 minutes and there are three crossings a day in each direction and four in the summer months.
