Island 357 - Inchydoney, Clonakilty, County Cork

Inchydoney is no longer a true island as the channel, which used to separate it from the mainland of County Cork 1.5 miles to the south of the town of Clonakilty, has been drained, although not very well, as it looks very boggy.  The island is about 1.5 miles from east to west and just under a mile from north to south.  The south coast of the island has two fabulous sandy beaches with a surf school, some houses, an elephant and a very large hotel and spa but sadly no café.

The beach on the south coast is divided in half by the headland known as Virgin Mary's Bank or Point.  This headland was restored in 2013 when volunteers planted large quantities of marram grass to prevent further erosion.  At the same time a viewing platform and Greek style open air amphitheatre were built and a network of accessible pathways was constructed.

In 2008 a herd of life size topiary Asian elephants was displayed on Inchydoney to highlight the plight of the species and to raise money for their conservation in Kerala.  They were the idea of the charity Elephant Family.  After two weeks on Inchydoney they then went on tour around Ireland and England.   There is still an elephant on display outside the entrance to the Lodge and Spa.  However this one comes from the 2012 Jungle City display of 30 brightly decorated elephants in and around Clonakilty.  I don't know if the others are still on display in Clonakilty, as I didn't have time to walk around the town.

Large pond on the north side of the island

 

 Looking south west along the south coast
 

Beach and Virgin Mary's Bank

 

Inchydoney's only elephant

 

Lodge and Spa

 

Beach on the South West side

 

I'm not sure what this sculpture is supposed to represent.  It may be the Wild Atlantic Way, as the symbol for that looks very similar.

 

Beach on the south east side

 

Amphitheatre

 

Virgin Mary's Bank

 

Surfing Sculpture

 

 

Elephant

 

Surf School

 

Island Strand Intake

This used to be the sea!