For many visitors to Cape Clear, in west Cork, the first real taste of marine life begins with the ferry trip from Baltimore. But for a select group of teenagers each year, that connection goes much deeper – thanks to Maratacht, an innovative residential camp that blends marine exploration, scientific research and Irish language.
About to enter the 2025 season – and with an extended schedule to accommodate more young explorers –Maratacht offers an experience unlike any other in Ireland. Founded by a team with more than 25 years of expertise in water-based activities, the course goes beyond traditional kayaking and snorkelling and works to foster a true understanding of the sea’s role in our lives – whether we live on the coast or far inland.
Each day, participants dive into hands-on learning with ocean adventure by kayaking to caves or the sea arch, snorkelling, paddleboarding or nighttime bioluminescence swims that bring them face-to-face with marine life.
Science in action, linked to second level curriculum and UN SGDs, is facilitated by guided sessions in citizen science where teenagers collect data and learn how to organise it and research correctly. Submissions of observations can be made online to Irish NGOs contributing to real research.
This undertaking of academic exploration with access to research papers and expert-led discussions helps participants understand the bigger picture.
“Many young people don’t realise how much the ocean affects their daily lives, even if they’ve never seen it,” says Paula. “Here, they don’t just learn about it – they live it. The adventure elements aren’t just for fun,” she continues, “when you’re climbing during sea bouldering, you understand viscerally how these organisms survive in such a harsh environment. Textbook concepts about wave action and desiccation stress suddenly make perfect sense.” Plus, participants learn how to fully use their bodies while wearing a wetsuit and buoyancy aid – all handy if things turn non-limpet and someone falls in!
Evenings activity include participants inputting their day’s findings into the national biodiversity database or writing up their group project. “That’s a magic moment, when they realize they’re not just doing an exercise, they’re contributing to actual science.” Not all evenings are spent indoors – there’s always a night swim or kayak in bioluminescence to do.
From the moment they arrive, each teenager designs their own research project – whether it’s tracking marine biodiversity, studying tidal patterns, or examining sustainable fishing practices. By the end of their stay, they leave with:
- A detailed portfolio of their findings, complete with academic references.
- A personalised Irish fóclóir (dictionary) of marine terms used throughout the camp.
- A newfound appreciation for the sea’s role in ecology, culture and global climate.
- Connections to a group of like-minded friends.
As lead instructor Hannah watches another group carefully return their specimens to the exact rock crevices where they were found, she reflects on what makes Maratacht unique: “We’re not just teaching them about the ocean. We’re teaching the ocean to them, in a language and experience that brings this marine context to life. When they feel how a limpet grips the rock to survive crashing waves, when they taste sleabhchán, when they know why the weather is the way it is and we must plan accordingly, that knowledge becomes part of them in a way no classroom session could achieve.”
With no more than 25 participants per session, Maratacht ensures individual attention from instructors, allowing for deeper engagement and safer and more meaningful experiences.
Beyond the science, there’s a profound cultural component woven through every activity. Participants experience island life not only by being on the island but through arranged visits to island based businesses such as an apiary, goat farm (ice-cream!) and talking to island resident master mariners and ecologists.
With only 150 spots available across six weeks, competition is strong. The fee covers the ferry, accommodation, food and snacks (ie fruit!), 24-hour supervision, specialist equipment such as helmets, buoyancy aids and wetsuits.
For young minds curious about the ocean, Maratacht isn’t just a summer camp – it’s a transformational experience that could shape the way they see themselves and the world.
Cape Clear’s rocky shores await the next class of marine investigators. As climate change accelerates and marine ecosystems face unprecedented threats, courses like Maratacht aren’t just educational experiences, they’re incubators for the coastal stewards and the future hope our planet desperately needs.
Applications for the 2025 season are at maratacht.ie. Early submission is strongly advised given the courses competitive nature
