What you need to know about Cape Clear
The neighbouring Sherkin Island encloses Baltimore Harbour, and from Baltimore the passage to Cape Clear can be made either north- or southabout Sherkin. The southern route is the more exposed but also the more straightforward. The entrance to Baltimore Harbour is marked on its eastern side by an unlit rocketshaped white-painted stone tower 27m high with the delightful name of Lot’s Wife, while the diminutive Barrack Point light, opposite, provides – not to over-stretch the analogy, of course – a pillar of fire by night. All the way round to South Harbour, the southern coast of both islands is clean to within a cable of the cliffs, but keep a sharp lookout for shellfish pots. Night navigation is not recommended for a stranger. is easily avoided. Not so easy may be the traditional requirement for the first-time navigator of the Sound to write a poem in its honour. Along the north shore of Cape is the islet of Illauneana, and half a cable north of it is the dangerous Bullig Reef. There is a notable lack of navigational aids around here, but by the use of transits and chartplotter the hazards can be avoided.
The North Passage from Baltimore is a lovely inshore route between the islands. Emerging from Baltimore Harbour into the River Ilen, the first hazard to be avoided is Mealbeg Rock, which is marked by a south cardinal buoy. A careful zigzag course is then required to avoid some unmarked rocks (good transits are available) before reaching open water north of Gascanane Sound. There are no tidal restrictions, and streams are slight.
North Harbour has two ferry berths on its central pier, and room for a yacht to lie afloat inside the breakwater pier. This part of the harbour was rebuilt in 2014, and hydraulic surge gates can close the gap between the two piers to protect the inner harbour from swell. This is a provision for the winter months, but the gates are closed and opened on test every two weeks all year round.