Dursey Cable Car, Aerial lift between mainland and Dursey Island in County Cork, Ireland.
Dursey Cable Car is an aerial lift connecting the Beara Peninsula to Dursey Island across the Dursey Sound. The system spans roughly 250 meters over open water and carries both people and supplies between the two sides.
The cable car opened in 1969 to connect island residents with the mainland after decades of difficult isolation. The system was thoroughly rebuilt in the early 2020s to keep it running for future generations.
The cable car reflects how island residents have adapted to their remote location over many decades. From the cabin, you can see the small community below and understand why this connection matters so deeply to the people who call this place home.
The journey takes about 15 minutes each way, and the cabin carries a small number of passengers at a time. It helps to check conditions beforehand, as wind and rough weather can occasionally affect operations.
This is Ireland's only cable car system and one of the few in Europe that regularly carries livestock alongside passengers. This unusual role shows how central the connection is to daily life on the island.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
