Photographs © John H. Luxton 2006

NAOMH CIARÁN II at Baltimore harbour loading cargo for her 14:15 sailing to Clear Island on May 31, 2006. Whilst there is quite a lot of outside deck space - a far amount is given over to freight on outbound sailings as she carries everything including the proverbial kitchen sink! This busy little ship provides the year round passenger and freight link between the mainland and Clear Island in south west Cork. Crossing time is approximately 45 minutes. During the fairly short summer season from June to September other operators provide additional seasonal facilities.

After arrival at 15:00 NAOMH CIARÁN II lies over for an hour at the "Mail Boat Berth" which since my last visit appears to have lost its traditional sign! She then returns to the mainland with more passengers than cargo - returning day trippers and workers such as a troop of ESB engineers who had spent a full day on the island.