From the jagged rocks of Knockadoon Pier, my gaze wanders towards the horizon, where Capel Island emerges alone, embraced by the Atlantic waves. Situated off the south coast of Ireland near Youghal, it takes its name from the Capel family, who owned land in the region in the 17th century. As I approach the pier, I hear the sound of the waves crashing incessantly against the shoreline, composing a hypnotic melody that resonates between the ridges of the rocks and the folds of the land.

Capel Island, secretive and remote, is a haven of peace and mystery. It is said that in centuries past, pirates and smugglers found a safe hideout here, using its hidden coves to hide their ships. Today, its wild and unspoiled nature makes it a haven for marine life and nesting birds, away from the ceaseless frenzy of the mainland. The Knockadoon Coast, with its deep marks engraved by time and water, is a silent witness to the unstoppable force of nature. Every rock, every cavity seems to tell stories of storms past, of days when the sea was the sole master of these lands. And yet, there is an indomitable beauty in this landscape, a primordial force that calls anyone who stops to contemplate.

In this wild and romantic setting, the heart of maritime Ireland reveals itself in its most essential purity: a perfect fusion of land, sea and sky, a place where the soul can rediscover its essence, wrapped in the murmur of the waves.