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Clare Island is at the entrance to Clew Bay, off Ireland\u2019s western Atlantic coast. It\u2019s the largest of Clew Bay\u2019s 365 islands, only six of which are inhabited year-round. It rises to a height of 1520 feet and is an important breeding ground for seabirds. The family of the legendary pirate queen Grace O\u2019Malley owned the island during the Middle Ages, and many of the O\u2019Malley clan are buried at an abbey on the south side of the island.\n\n\n\nClare Island Light Station, Ireland. Photos courtesy of Sherry FitzGerald Limited\xa0\n\n\n\nThe island\u2019s original lighthouse was built in 1806, but it was damaged by fire seven years later due to the careless disposal of candle wicks by the keeper. A new lighthouse was built in 1818, serving until it was decommissioned in 1965. A German pathologist, Goesta Fischer, bought the property in 2008 in partnership with Roie McCann, an interior designer. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter five years of renovation, Clare Island Lighthouse was opened in 2013 as a luxury boutique hotel. It won an award as Europe\u2019s Best Coastal Boutique Hotel in 2016. The property is now for sale. Roie McCann, general manager of Clare Island Lighthouse, is interviewed in this episode.\n\n\n\nRoie McCann at Clare Island Lighthouse. Photo by Conor McKeown.