Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil, Ireland's first female skipper spoke to Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM about her work and island life on Cape Clear.
D'fhás Niamh aníos ar Oileán Chléire agus dá réir, bhí taithí chuimsitheach aici ar an bhfarraige agus ar bháid. Dúirt sí gur chaith sí neart ama ar bhád a athar agus í ina cailín óg. Tá dhá cheadúnas farraige ag Niamh le go mbeidh sí in ann báid a stiúradh ó bháid bheaga go bád farantóireachta.
Speaking about the challenges and benefits of living on an island, Niamh says that housing is a particular challenge and that mainland policies for housing don't work for islands. Island people are resilient people but Niamh says the often fall between two policies because of their particular way of life.
Even though the island people face difficulties the mainland people don't, Niamh says there's a huge appetite and interest in island life, illustrated by the 1600 families who applied to move to Inis Meáin last year.
Discussing Cape Clear's Gaeltacht status, Niamh said that you don't need to speak Irish to live on the island but it is a distinct advantage and learners are welcome. She said the language is an intrinsic part of the island and its heritage and something islanders are very proud of. In all of years working as a skipper on the Cape Clear ferry, Niamh said she never met anyone who regretted learning Irish, only those who regretted not learning it.
You can watch the first episode of the series here
