The Clare Island Ferry Company

The Clare Island Ferry Company is owned and operated by the O’Grady family, natives of Clare Island, who have been operating the Clare Island Mail Boat Ferry service since 1880. Their ferry , the “Pirate Queen”, is named after the infamous 16th century pirate queen, Grace O’ Malley (Granuaile). She lived in a castle by the harbour on Clare Island during the course of her life as a “ chief commander and director of thieves and murderers at sea”. The pirate flag flies from the ferry in her honour. The “Pirate Queen”, which is the most modern ferry operating to Clare Island and Inisturk, is registered with the Department of the Marine and Failte Ireland and has a certificate for 96 passengers and 4 crew members. Passengers may sit inside the heated lounge area, or sit on the upper sun deck and enjoy the panoramic view of the Clew Bay coastline