Sherkin Island can only be reached by ferry from Baltimore, a roughly ten-minute crossing across the mouth of Roaringwater Bay. Step off the pier at Harboursmouth and you're already within sight of the ruined Franciscan friary the O'Driscoll clan founded around 1460, and the ivy-covered remains of their tower house, Dún na Long — both damaged in the same 1537 raid by Waterford merchants. This trail also covers an Iron Age promontory fort on the same headland as the castle, the locally maintained 1835 lighthouse at Barrack Point overlooking Horseshoe Harbour, and the privately run marine research station that has recorded these waters since 1975. Baltimore remains Sherkin's only link to the mainland, exactly as it has been for centuries. Looking for things to do in Sherkin Island? Start here — no car, no ticket, no booking.
Medieval & CastlesEcclesiasticalMaritimeRevolutionary & Military
Opens the free interactive app — point your phone at each stop and hear it speak, in 12 languages.
Stops on This Trail
Sherkin Abbey (Franciscan Friary)
Dún na Long Castle
Farranacoush Promontory Fort
The O'Driscoll Clan's Sherkin Lordship
Barrack Point Lighthouse & Horseshoe Harbour
Sherkin Pier & Harboursmouth
Sherkin Island Marine Station
For Schools
This trail is also available as a free printable classroom worksheet or full trail booklet — no site visit required. See how Classroom Prep Mode works →