Dursey Island Cable Car in Ireland

Dursey Island, off of Ireland's infamously rough western coast, was once one of the most difficult places in the country to reach. Large tides into often become hazardous waves within the narrow Dursey Sound. Additionally, there is a shallow shoal in the middle of the sound which can destroy unaware boats. For those reasons, Ireland's only cable car was built here to provide a reliable connection to the mainland. This cable car is exceptional in other ways, as well. It is one of only two in Europe that crosses open ocean, the only other being in Barcelona. Since Dursey Island is a farming community, the cable car was built especially to carry livestock in addition to humans! However, after a dispute with the local government, animals were banned from the car due to safety concerns. Although Dursey Island's permanent population is sparse, the cable car has seen traffic in recent years due to its uniqueness and the popularity of the Wild Atlantic Way. The cable car system itself has only gotten older though, and in 2022 it was closed for over a year because of much needed renovation work. A replacement ferry was only instituted at the last minute due to islanders' protests, and it proved unreliable due to Dursey Sound's aforementioned nature. Plans have also been mooted to entirely replace the cable car and build a dedicated visitors' center. However, that proposal has received pushback from environmentalists, leaving it an uncertainty for now.

May 31, 2025 - 04:30

The cable car is one of two in Europe that crosses open ocean.

Dursey Island, off of Ireland's infamously rough western coast, was once one of the most difficult places in the country to reach. Large tides into often become hazardous waves within the narrow Dursey Sound. Additionally, there is a shallow shoal in the middle of the sound which can destroy unaware boats. For those reasons, Ireland's only cable car was built here to provide a reliable connection to the mainland.

This cable car is exceptional in other ways, as well. It is one of only two in Europe that crosses open ocean, the only other being in Barcelona. Since Dursey Island is a farming community, the cable car was built especially to carry livestock in addition to humans! However, after a dispute with the local government, animals were banned from the car due to safety concerns.

Although Dursey Island's permanent population is sparse, the cable car has seen traffic in recent years due to its uniqueness and the popularity of the Wild Atlantic Way. The cable car system itself has only gotten older though, and in 2022 it was closed for over a year because of much needed renovation work. A replacement ferry was only instituted at the last minute due to islanders' protests, and it proved unreliable due to Dursey Sound's aforementioned nature.

Plans have also been mooted to entirely replace the cable car and build a dedicated visitors' center. However, that proposal has received pushback from environmentalists, leaving it an uncertainty for now.