#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that construction works have been extended at North Harbour on Cape Clear Island in West Cork.

The works involve the construction of a slipway; replacement of the Bull's Nose structure incorporating a storm gate and an extension to the end of Duffy's Pier; excavation, dredging and reclamation works including the construction of an armoured embankment at the seaward side of the new Bull's Nose.

For safety reasons, mariners are requested to proceed slowly and with caution in the approach to the entrance to North Harbour and to give the works a wide berth. Wave-wash from vessels should be avoided. Divers will be deployed throughout the underwater works.

North Harbour will remain operational throughout the works, which are expected to be ongoing until the end of 2015. Details of the work area are included in Marine Notice No 2 of 2015, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

#IslandFerry – West Cork island ferry operator Cailin Óir Ferry Service which runs the Baltimore-Cape Clear route plans to operate a new service also from the island to Schull.

The development follows a decision to no longer operate from this year the service between Schull and Cape Clear which was run for many years by the Molloy Family using the Karycraft ferry.

Cailín Óir Ferry Service will operate the new service across Roaringwater Bay using relief vessel Dún Aengus. The ferry schedule is to run two days a week in June and increases to five days between 1 July to 25 August.

For more on this story and from this region, visit: www.westcorkislands.com/?p=1154

#ISLANDS ON TV – A new four-part series Ar an Oileán (On the Island) begins next Monday (12 November) on RTE 1 at 7.30pm.

The series focuses on two islands, the West Cork island of Cape Clear Island and Inis Meáin, the central island of the Aran Islands, marking the western approaches of Galway Bay.

By following the stories of islanders filmed over an entire year, we are given an opportunity to understand what makes these places unique.

In addition a glimpse into contemporary island life will be explored throughout the seasons.What it really means to live on a 'real' island through the various difficulties encountered, the inevitable heartaches but also the beauty and the sense of community that only island life can offer. Episode One will cover school days, blow-ins and a wedding.

#ISLAND NEWS – A beacon is due to be lit early this afternoon (2 – 3pm) on Cape Clear Island, marking the 100th anniversary today of the RMS Titanic's departure from Cobh (Queenstown) where the doomed liner continued on her maiden voyage into the Atlantic.

The beacon at Fiona's Land is accessible by a walking trail and is where the Naval Service L.E. Aisling (P23) is to recreating the liner's voyage by passing off the southern side of the Co. Cork island.

For information on island life, activities and events, follow the Cape Clear Ferry blog HERE.

#ISLANDS - Cape Clear Island's most well-known couple may get even wider attention now that they're featured in Terry Wogan's new book on Ireland.

Micheál and Sile Ó Ceadagáin – who were the focus of TG4 programme Mí na Meala – are two of the many characters included in Wogan's Ireland, the book accompanying the legendary broadcaster's recent TV series.

According to the blog of the Cape Clear ferry service Cailín Óir: "The photographs [included] are stunning, including those of Cléire and Fastnet, to where Terry enjoyed an idyllic summer’s outing with Micheál on his boat The Gaisceannán.

"Micheál and Sheila are a hospitable couple which extends to the boat and Micheal's famous teas served at sea have pleased many, including the indefatigable Terry."

Wogan's Ireland is packed with photos and stories of Terry's whistle-stop tour of the country's 'coastal fringe', laced with his self-deprecating wit. The book is available online for as little as €10.

#ISLANDS – A public meeting between the islanders of Cape Clear and the Cailín Óir Ferry Service will be held on Saturday 28th January, so  to discuss proposed changes to the ferry schedule in 2012.

The meeting is to be held in the local community hall, where other matters in relation to the year round service between Baltimore and the Gaeltacht speaking island will be aired. The island which is three miles long and one and half mile wide has a resident population of 130 inhabitants, which swells significantly during the summer months.

In March last year a new main ferry was purchased the Island Princess and renamed Dún an Óir II. She operates a schedule that varies between one and up to three round trips daily, subject to the day and time of the year, to view the current winter timetable click HERE.