Farmers on two of west Cork’s famed 100 islands had to wait until December to receive straw for bedding this year.

This was almost three months later than they and Ardfield grain farmer David O’Brien would have liked. He had been on the islands a month earlier delivering hay.

Sailing on board the Sabrina 2 from the north pier in Baltimore at 9am, the precious cargo of 300 bales of straw set off.

Two hours later, David and his tractor and trailer arrived back on the mainland having dropped off winter bedding to farmers on two of the four inhabited islands in roaring water bay.

Heading out past the beacon at the mouth of the bay, the roll-on, roll-off ferry, crewed by skipper Pat Collins and crew man Kieran O’Driscoll, sailed across the southern face of Sherkin island. The choppiest part of the journey was between the two islands, where a number of tides and currents met.

Sean Cadogan (left) speaking with Brennus and Philipe Voarino after collecting their straw.

First stop was at Cape Clear, for the biggest order. The load was met by farmers who were ready to get to work.

There was no time to waste, with a window of 30 minutes to get the job done before the tide would get too low and the ferry wouldn’t be able to sail until the afternoon. It was all hands on deck as the trailer of straw was unloaded into waiting trailers and vans.

Bales were counted twice to ensure everyone had what they required and all was paid for on the spot. Given the infrastructure on the island, square bales are what suits the customers best. The straw will be used for bedding on the various cattle and goat farms.

“David supplies us with straw every year. Only for the roll-on (ferry) this wouldn’t be possible. It’s something that is very important to Cape, Sherkin, Heir and Long Island. Only for the roll-on, the islands couldn’t survive. It’s needed for getting silage gear in and moving cattle,” Cape Clear farmer Patrick O’Driscoll said.

The soil type on the island means farmers there are confident enough that they have enough fodder in stock.

“The wet year suits the island because the soil is light and we outwinter our cattle, so we are in a good place. That said, it isn’t to say that we don’t think of those up the west coast who have it so wet,” O’Driscoll said.

Patrick O’Driscoll on Cape Clear.

Sean O’Driscoll was one of those getting straw for bedding. Farming on the island poses different challenges to mainland farming.

“It’s quite a bit more challenging at times. We were waiting for the straw for quite some time, to get the weather to bring it out and to bale it. It was only baled last week. We are getting it in December and that’s not normally the time we get it but we have to make do with what we are getting,” he said.

Skipper of the Sabrina 2, Pat Collins is one of the most important people in the lives of the islanders. The island depends on the ro-ro ferry to bring cargo and heavy equipment in and out. That takes lots of coordination.

“It takes a lot of planning ahead. Weather is a big factor in it as you are dependent on it. At this time of the year you could plan something earlier in the week and weather could change all your plans again.”

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