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With a population of just 10 to 25 year round residents with up to 150 in the summer, a pier, a fine sandy beach, a shop and a restaurant, Heir island is a popular destination for those who want a bit of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of life on the mainland. Although having no pub Heir island is populated by a number of self catering cottages, B&B’s, a shop and a restaurant, the Island Cottage. The Island Cottage restaurant is an up and coming restaurant of some renown. As well as fine food and dining, the restaurant also provides an opportunity for visitors to avail of some cookery courses while staying on the island. From April to November this restaurant has a range of cookery courses the most popular being a two day cookery course for groups of two people where they spend the night on the Island and in between cooking lessons can enjoy the rest of what the island offers.
For the intrepid explorer and would be ecologist the centre of the island has an extensive marsh with a vibrant reed bed where you'll find many unusual birds and over 200 varieties of wild flowers, and it thus is an ideal spot to rent a bike and cycle around or walk along the many trails taking in the views it provides of the coast, the sea and the panorama of surrounding islands and the mainland of Baltimore.
As well as being remote and quiet and thus providing a welcome break for some, it is also paradise for those who want to take advantage of its coastline and seafaring activities and opportunities. Heir islands’ coastline and its safe sailing waters is perfect for many watersports and activities.
Heir Island has seven silver sandy beaches with the most well known being the Reen beach making them ideal spots for some swimming and sunbathing while taking in the rays of the sun during the summer months. With the Atlantic waters pure and unpolluted and being of a reasonably consistent temperature throughout the year it is a good place all year for a variety of water activities including swimming, kayaking, angling, sailing, windsurfing, surfing and diving.
The many caves, sea arches and creeks around Heir Island can be easily explored on a kayak around the island and the island provides lessons and opportunities to learn and enjoy this activity. And for those interested in sailing there is a Sailing School situated on the island that catering to a teaching and accommodating up to 18 mixed ability sailors at one time.
Heir Island provides for a number of different visitors being simultaneously suitable for those wanting a quiet break and the waters and facilities also providing for those who want to make the most of the waters and beaches around.
Heir island can be accessed throughout the year on the MV Thresher Ferry departing from Cunnamore Bay near Baltimore.
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