How to Get to Dursey Island (And What to See and Do)

The Dursey Island Cable Car (Ireland’s only cable car, as it happens) takes you 250m above the Atlantic from the Beara Peninsula to Dursey Island, a remote 6.5km-long island with few residents, no shops, and stunning coastal scenery.

A spin on the cable car is reason enough to visit, but if you make the trip, you’ll find quiet walking trails, rich wildlife, and a rare glimpse of life on one of Ireland’s last inhabited offshore islands.

For those visiting the Beara Peninsula in search of wild landscapes, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and a true sense of isolation, Dursey Island offers a unique gateway to one of Ireland’s most remote and rugged islands.

Visiting Dursey Island in Cork

A visit to Dursey Island is a little less straightforward that some of the other things to do do in West Cork. Here are some speedy need-to-knows.

1. Location

Dursey Island is situated on the western tip of the Beara Peninsula in West Cork and separated from the mainland by the Dursey Sound, a narrow stretch of water. 

2. Population/size

The island has only a few permanent residents and is 6.5 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide. Years ago, the island comprised three villages or ‘townlands’ – Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael, and Tilickafinna from east to west on the island.

3. The cable car has reopened

The Dursey Island cable car was built in 1969 to safely cross the treacherous Dursey Sound, where strong tidal currents made boat crossings dangerous. In 2023, it reopened after a €1.6 million upgrade

The Dursey Island Cable Car

The Dursey Island cable car is the very unique method of transport that you’ll be using to get from the mainland to the island.

1. Where you get the cable car from

You take the Dursey Island cable car from this point. There’s a decent bit of parking right next to the departure point and the scenery from the ground here will give you a sense of what to expect when you get up in the air. 

2. How long it takes

The trip on the Dursey Island cable car takes just 15 minutes and there are roughly four journeys an hour (six passengers per cable car). 

3. How much it costs

Payment for the Dursey Island cable car is cash only and is €10 per adult and €5 for children for the return journey (note: prices may change).

4. When it leaves (times may change)

The Dursey Island cable car runs every day, although this can be weather dependent. From 1 March to 31 October, the timetable for the cable car is 9.30am to 7.30pm, although it is closed for lunch 1pm to 1.30pm. From 1 November to 28 February, the cable car runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm and is closed for lunch 1pm to 1.30pm (note: times may change).

What to do on Dursey Island

Although it’s the Dursey Island cable car that tends to get all of the attention, there’s plenty to see and do on the island itself that makes the visit worthwhile.

Below, you’ll find everything from walks on Dursey Island to guided tours along with a lively summer festival and nearby islands.

1. The Dursey Island cable car journey is worth the trip alone

Ireland’s only cable car carries you 250 metres above the Atlantic, with roaring tides and rugged cliffs below. Built in 1969 to replace dangerous boat crossings, it’s not just transport, it’s the highlight of the trip.

The short, 15-minute journey delivers unbeatable views of Dursey Sound and the Beara coastline. You won’t get this experience anywhere else in Ireland.

2. Walk the Dursey Island Loop

As the island is small, it is perfectly do-able to walk its entire length and breadth in one day. There are no shops, pubs or restaurants, and with so few inhabitants it offers the perfect escape from civilisation (remember to pack food and water) 

The loop is well marked from where you disembark the cable car. You will walk through the former villages and past what was used as a signal tower during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century.

You should allow about five hours for the walk, including the journey there and back in the cable car although in busier times, you might need to wait longer for the cable car.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best walks in Cork (a mix of handy rambles and strenuous slogs)

3. Take a guided walking tour with Beara Baoi Tours

You can also take a guided walking tour of the island. This informative tour is a great way to see the island and to discover local history.

On the tour, you’ll learn about pre-Christian divinities (the name of the tour company is inspired by the ancient Celtic goddess, Baoi – the Irish name for Dursey Island is Oileán Baoi), Vikings, monks, mariners, pirates, ship wrecks and more.

You will also see plenty of wildlife. Dolphins, seals, whales and otters are all regular island visitors. 

4. Plan your visit around the summer festival

The Dursey Island Summer Festival is a family event, aimed at showcasing the beauty of the island to the rest of the world. It was first set up in 2011, with the intention of not only highlighting the island to visitors but attracting people who wanted to relocate there and boost the tiny population.

The summer festival runs for a weekend in June. Visitors who attend the festival are encouraged to become an islander for the weekend. Various activities are put on, such as the celebration of mass, guided historical walking tours, and traditional Irish dancing and music.

5. Visit nearby Bull Rock

You can’t reach Bull Rock from Dursey Island,  you’ll need to take one of the boat tours. While Dursey Island is close by, there’s no access from the island itself.

To see Bull Rock up close (and sail through its famous sea tunnel), you’ll need to hop on a dedicated boat tour from the Beara or Iveragh Peninsulas. These trips offer unbeatable views of the rock, the lighthouse, and the surrounding colonies of seabirds.

Dursey Island accommodation

Want to stay on the island? The Dursey Island Schoolhouse is a cabin that can take four guests. As the name suggests, the building once served as a school for the few inhabitants of the island and was built in 1891.

It is located on the top of a hill and the perfect place for people who really do “want to get away from it all”. There are no hotels, bars and restaurants so remember to stock up on food and drink, but the peace and quiet is all part of the attraction.

At times, you will have the whole island to yourself. Most guests rave about the peace and quiet to be found on this island getaway.