June through August, Cape is festive. Approximately 180 students come to perfect their Irish and participate in outdoor games and activities. Daytrippers stroll to the lake, to the Old Lighthouse, to the Heritage Centre. Yachts ply in and out of the two main harbours, colourfully crowding them during regatta days. Holiday-making families arrive with windsurfers, canoes, fishing gear.
Scuba divers prowl old wrecks and precipitous reefs.
The lively pubs have frequent formal and informal sessions, many aficionados bringing their instruments. We recommend that, to avoid any disappointment, accommodation be booked in advance. After the summer rush of activity, autumn's a suddenly richly quiet season. The island ferry cuts back ontrips to the mainland. The bracken slowly turns deep russet.