Maratacht: Like the Gaeltacht but about everything marine

Maratacht is a transformative journey where teenagers explore through marine-focused activities and the Irish language on Cape Clear Island, Ireland’s most southerly island.

It stands out as Ireland’s only offshore residential teenage marine and Irish-language camp, offering a unique experience. With a camp size of 25, participants thrive in an exclusive environment. Maratacht champions sustainability, fostering mindful resource use and environmental respect – that is, a lived daily experience on a small island. Ideal for teenagers passionate about marine issues, ecology, history, and Irish language fluency, Maratacht welcomes future leaders in sustainability and marine sciences. Irish will be spoken daily and everyone will be supported and encouraged to use as much Irish as they have, however they can. Everyone will have their own fóclóir by camp end. Participants take part in kayaking, snorkelling, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing and marine ecology trips. South Harbour has a beautiful cliff coastline with caves and a sea arch to explore with marine mammals, fulmars, gannets and myriad underwater life. Maratacht camps are more than just fun – they’re a gateway to experiential learning. Marine issues such as tidal movements, weather patterns, and ecological impacts, are part of the daily routine all while immersed in the unique environment of Cape Clear Island, this small island off west Cork.

Learning at its finest

At Maratacht, collaboration is key. Working together and learning to support one another is key in Maratacht. A group discussion will be had once everyone has settled on arrival, people get a chance to share interests and what they want from the week. From on-water activities to research projects, every moment is an opportunity to grow, ask questions, and explore together. Every cohort will have their own online Maratacht app where they can fill journals, access data and research library, share project discussions and upload results that they can show later. Increased self-confidence and invaluable life and learning skills are what parents always comment on after the camp.

Education for sustainable development curriculum (ESD)

Building on the new second-level curriculum modules, Maratacht integrates ESD into its activities. Participants delve into marine and Irish language issues, honing research skills, using equipment and learning how to correctly identify, record and arrange data. Through daily documentation and online resources, participants improve skills and heighten awareness of their environmental stewardship role.

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Supporting UN sustainable development goals (SDG)

Maratacht camps promote UN SDGs 13, 14 and 15 ensuring that our summer camp activities support global efforts to create a more sustainable future. Through hands-on experiences and educational sessions, participants learn about climate change impacts on marine environments. Activities such as marine ecology expeditions and discussions on environmental conservation empower teenagers to become advocates for climate action within their own communities. Maratacht emphasises the importance of marine biodiversity conservation through snorkelling, rocky shore ecology, sea-fishing traditions exploration, and discussions on sustainable fishing practices such as lobster potting or jigging for pollock and mackerel. By fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems, participants develop a sense of stewardship towards our oceans and marine life. During the camp, participants learn about the interconnectedness of land and sea ecosystems. Through interactive learning experiences and fieldwork, teenagers gain insights into the importance of land conservation, habitat restoration, and biodiversity preservation. By actively addressing these UN goals, Maratacht empowers teenagers to become agents of positive change, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle pressing environmental challenges and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Immersive summer camp experience

Maratacht teenager residential camps open a world of discovery with three one-week camps scheduled between June 16th – July 13th. Based in Tír na nÓg, a former coastguard station overlooking South Harbour dormitory-style accommodation, participants enjoy 24-hour supervision, a commercial kitchen, and panoramic views.

Cape Clear is a small island, three miles by one mile, with spectacular sea-cliffs and Atlantic views. The small community allows a freedom and space to kids that is hard to describe. Each teenager’s personality and independence flowers on Cape. It starts with the boat trip from Baltimore. The 50-minute journey past the other islands to Cape is like taking a deep breath. The journey isn’t just a physical one, it’s also an emotional excursion that helps to centre you. That connectedness is reinforced by the proximity to nature, during swims, kayak trips to the caves, paddleboarding across the harbour or just sitting “on the wall” with friends having a chat. Instructors, guides and leaders are all garda-vetted, qualified to senior instructor level with years of experience. Guest lecturers and guides are doctorate level, with wide experience available to participants or are master mariners with comprehensive knowledge of shipping, boats and the sea.

To find out more visit maratacht.ie or email us at info@maratacht.ie. Follow @maratacht on Instagram, TikTok, and X, formerly Twitter, for updates