Clare Island Ferries

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. Pets allowed.