Here a mini bus will transfer you from Castletownbere to Dursey Sound a 24 kilometres journey. Dursey Island stretches out 6.5 Kilometres in length and measures 2.5 Kilometres across at its widest point, with population of 8 people. Its main mode of transport to go on and off the island is by cable car the only one in Ireland . Here six person only at a time cross over. Dursey is made up of three villages “town lands” Ballynacallagh, Kilmichael and Tilickafinna, off the western end of the island there are three large rocks, named Bull, Cow and Calf.
From the cable going along the road, pass by the old monastery with a enclosed graveyard, Ilanebeg an island where O’Sullivan Beara had a fortress. 1 Kilometre west the first village Ballynacalagh “the village to the landing or pier” a cluster of mostly stone built houses . The stone masonry on houses and on fences on the island have a unique build and have held there fore mason over a long time. The next village Kilmichael and within the grounds of the village was an old church “ where the last gable of it collapsed in 1995” Kill or Cill in old Irish meant church. This church was founded by monks on Skellig Michael and that’s how it got its name. Carrying on from Kilmichael 2.5 Kilometre on road the village of Tilickafinna meaning the house on the white rock . On the white rock still the gable of a stone house exists all intact the roof was changed in later year .
Going right to the end Dursey Head 1.6 Kilometre from Tilickafinna. On your way views of the Bull, Cow and Calf rocks come into view. Going right to the end where the ruin of a temporary lighthouse built in 1882 to replace the lighthouse on the Calf rock , where a massive violent storm and sea swell destroyed it on late November 1881. A new lighthouse built on the Bull rock completed in 1888. Returning back east to Tilickafinna going on uphill to 252 metre “above sea level” here by the Signal Tower built in 1805. The people on the Island lit fires when passenger ship going for America with people from the island or people who had Dursey connections on board the last sighting was the smoke from this point. Great grand children of those who emigrated on return visit to Dursey the most handed down memory to them was there last sight of Dursey was the smoke from the Tower.
Heading east from the Signal tower panoramic views of south Kerry and West Cork coast are so scenic. Passing above Kilmichael and the old school built high above village, onto Ballynacallagh finishing up at the cable car , This is a 12.5 Kilometre route. Those who would care to do more of a challenge, On coming off the cable car a 3 kilometre walk onto Garnish Point and down to the Quay a pick up point at Garnish cross will be outlined .
