Ever wanted to own an island? 'Stunning' West Clare island goes up for sale

A STUNNING and historic island off the West Clare coast has gone under the hammer, presenting a unique opportunity to 'acquire a special piece of Ireland'.

Mutton Island contains approximately 185 acres of mainly arable land, sitting on a sandstone reef, according to the listing posted by Costelloe Estate Agents in Ennis, and is on the market for €2,000,000.

"The island is a quite un-spoilt, and is an area of natural beauty, rich in history, geology, archology and botany," according to the listing.

A watch tower, built to watch for a Napoleonic invasion in the 19th century, is still standing with a cottage along its eastern shores, that could appeal for refurbishment and extension.

There is a fresh water lake of 3-4 acres in the centre of the island, together with fresh water springs.

The island forms part of the Mid Clare Coast Special Protection Area and is one of five wildfowl sanctuaries in county Clare.

Mutton Island "sits resplendently in the shimmering waters of Caherush Bay", 2kms off county Clare’s western shoreline at Quilty, 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.

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

According 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 16t 804 by a tsunami caused by an earthquake, reputedly reducing its size.

The Spanish Armada graveyard was located on the site after 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 of whom drowned.

The shape of the island was friend to the smugglers for centuries and provided numerous caves for hiding contraband, mainly wine.

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

For more, see the listing online here.