Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to get in touch if there’s something that isn’t answered here.
What is Maratacht?
Maratacht is a residential marine Gaeltacht summer camp for teenagers aged 13yrs to 17yrs on Cape Clear Island (Oileán Chléire), West Cork. Participants spend a week kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding and coasteering, learning about marine life and island life, and practising Irish in a relaxed way. The name combines “mara” (sea) and “Gaeltacht”.
What age is Maratacht for?
Maratacht is for teenagers aged 13 to 17.
How much does Maratacht cost?
Maratacht costs €799 per week and from €1,575 per fortnight. A discount applies when more than one participant is booked on the same booking form. A 50% deposit secures a place, with the balance paid later. The fee includes instruction, all activities, all equipment, accommodation, food and the ferry from Baltimore. A bus from Cork to Baltimore is offered but is dependent on numbers for booking so is priced separately at ~€25.
What activities do participants do?
Activities include kayaking, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, coasteering, a night paddle in bioluminescence, swimming, fishing trips, slacklining, team challenges, marine ecology, ornithology, bat detecting, moth identification and island heritage, plus visits to local island businesses such as a beekeeper and goat farm.
Is Maratacht safe? How are participants supervised?
Numbers are capped at 25 participants per week, with an instructor-to-participant ratio of 1:6. All instructors hold National Governing Body qualifications, all staff are Garda vetted, and staff hold First Aid certification. All safety equipment, including buoyancy aids, wetsuits and helmets, is provided. Overnight accommodation and movement between sessions are all supervised on-site by adults.
Maratacht has a Designated Liaison Person for child protection and holds public liability insurance. We recommend you take out Personal Accident insurance for yourselves. This is available through your school and covers 24/7 all year activities and you may already have paid it – do check.
What should participants bring?
Bring a day pack for lunch, a notebook, pen and pencil, enough clothes for seven days of watersports in sun and rain, spare shoes or boots, old runners and shorts for coasteering, swimming togs, rash vests / under wetsuit (non-cotton), a sun hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, toiletries, any medications, and at least two towels (one for indoors, one for outdoors). Wetsuits, buoyancy aids and all activity equipment are provided. Personal accident insurance is recommended
Are there behaviour guidelines?
Yes, we provide a safe, constructive space for everyone and expect that that will be supported by participants. That happens when everyone respects each other. Bullying, verbal or physical will not be tolerated and will be cause for removal from Maratacht. Any kind of discriminating language will similarly not be tolerated. We expect plenty of physical movement but pushing, shoving or doing anything without the others’ consent is not something we allow.
We know that some participants will not be as fluent in Irish as others – we will be supportive and help with vocabulary. There are no ‘cártaí’ or other punishments for not speaking Irish but we do expect and demand that an effort be made to speak as much Irish as possible.
Where is Maratacht and how do participants get there?
Maratacht is on Cape Clear Island, Ireland’s most southerly inhabited island, off the coast of West Cork. Participants take the ferry from Baltimore, which takes about 50 minutes. The ferry fare is included in the course fee. On the island, groups walk everywhere, with a local bus used if the weather requires.
When is Maratacht 2027?
Maratacht runs six one-week sessions from 6 June to mid-July 2027. You can book one week or a fortnight. Full dates are on the booking page at maratacht.ie/booking.
Does my child need to be good at Irish?
No. Cape Clear is an official Gaeltacht, and Irish is used conversationally and supportively throughout the week. Everyone is encouraged to use whatever Irish they have, with no pressure. Maratacht especially welcomes teenagers who are exempt from Irish in school but would like to try it.
Is there an educational side to Maratacht?
Yes. Participants study marine and rocky shore ecology, weather and climate change, the social history of island life, and the ocean’s role in the economy. Topics link to the second-level curriculum in geography, history and Irish, and to UN Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14 and 15. Every participant leaves with a portfolio of their project work.
Who runs Maratacht?
Maratacht is directed by Paula Ní Ríogáin, from Cape Clear Island, who holds instructor qualifications in sea kayaking, snorkelling, sailing and mountain leadership, a passenger boat licence, and an MA in E-Learning (Instructional Design). Instructors, cinnirí and housekeeping staff keep everyone safe, fed and having fun while learning!
Where do participants stay?
Participants stay in shoreline accommodation on Cape Clear Island. Meals are prepared by a professional chef in a commercial kitchen. All bedding is supplied.
How do I book Maratacht?
Book online at maratacht.ie/booking by choosing a week or fortnight and paying a 50% deposit. For questions, email info @ maratacht.ie
What's your Phone Policy?
Participants are allowed their phones during free time which is usually after dinner between 1830-1930. They also get to use them during project time for research, creating videos etc. Clearly mark the phone and charger as mix-ups happen and clear marking makes life a lot easier.
What happens if I have to cancel my booking?
We’re happy to refund you as long as we can fill the space again. The online payment provider will have removed their cut no matter what! If the cancellation happens too close to the start day and we won’t be able to fill the space then we may have to retain ~50% of the fee to cover costs already incurred. Get in touch with us as soon as possible as we always try to facilitate people!