Long Island, visible on the horizon, is a small island off the Mizen Peninsula, Ireland. Once a thriving community, it’s now the home of those who have made it a lifestyle choice. It’s accessed by boat from Colla Quay, south of Schull.

The 4 bonhams – piglets – in the trailer are off to a new existence on the island, to breed, and help revitalise long-disused fields. The 1981 Land Rover was totally rebuilt on a galvanised chassis.

The island is low-lying, with no trees, but an expanse of the rocky, marginal land which makes up a large proportion of the Western peninsulas. In the summer it’s covered with heather, so there’s a plan to bring bees to the island, too, but when the winter gales drive over the land, it must be an inhospitable environment.

Below, you can see the slipway where the barge will draw up.

It seems almost inconceivable that a boat large enough to carry vehicles can enter this small harbour. The barge motors over from Baltimore around once a month, to transport vehicles and building materials to and from the island. There are smaller boats to ferry people on a regular basis, and bring the children over to the mainland for school.

The ferry lowers the ramp as it comes in, presumably so the skipper can see where he’s berthing…

And here it is, ready for loading. A loader trundles off first to make space.

The trailer had to be backed down the beach and up the slippery metal ramp, making sure not to miss the two smaller access ramps. A testament to good driving. Once on the boat there was little traction, and once it reached a level, the trailer was unhitched and pulled manually into place.

This is the point the wheels were spinning to no effect… and wood blocks were placed in the gap the back wheels of the Land Rover are presently rotating within.

Leaving Schull; the ramps are raised as the barge pulls away.

Tightly packed… I couldn’t see how more vehicles could be fitted in, but the return journey proved me wrong.

Long Island, with its small ‘village’ near the shore. The white building, presently empty, was the post office.

Approaching the quay at Long Island.

Some of the islanders are still vested in earning a living from the sea.

Easier driving off than backing on… The new pig-owner’s children are waiting to greet their animals.

A tight space to turn, and a narrow drive to back down…

A typical derelict old building, and its unoccupied replacement behind. The ‘new’ buildings are about 100 years old, made from shingle mixed with concrete, using shuttering. Most of the ‘new’ buildings are made the same way, of the same design.

Our friends’ house was like the derelict above. It’s in the process of being made habitable, with a bit of extra space added. The central chimney makes the interior design interesting. Inside, the walls have been plastered with a lime and hemp mix which dries to a hard finish, apparently providing insulation.

The bonhams seem to have settled instantly into their new temporary lodgings after the trauma of the journey. Wild Boar breed don’t take kindly to travel, they always get sick.

We were due to deliver two more bonhams to another home, but the barge was waiting to leave, so we ran out of time. We decided to leave the trailer, complete with bonhams, for the new pig-owners to deal with. They will send the trailer back on the next barge and let us know when to collect it.

Note the clever parking… The white car remained on the loader for the journey. I never did see what the black car was parked on!

We are squeezed in a few inches short of the ramp. A typical Irish soft rain is now falling.

Leaving Long Island…

I thought we were fully loaded on the way out…

With the rain getting heavier, I escaped to the cab. We were both entranced by the concept of living on an island. I suspect there is still a tight-knit cohesion to a community who all know each other, and maybe still indulge in some of the old kitchen trad music sessions by the fireside in the winter.

Life on the fringe of Southern Ireland can be hard, amusing, and satisfying. But as we’re getting older, central heating looks quite attractive.

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