'You could say I grew up under a sail...'

Karen Cottrell, Cape Clear Ferries West Cork and Harbour Cruises Cork City

You could say I grew up under a sail. I’m from Crosshaven and I married a sea captain from Baltimore (who I met in Dubai!) and we now run two sea-based businesses – Cape Clear Ferries in West Cork and Cork Harbour Cruises in Cork city.

It’s a busy life: manic summer seasons showcasing the city from the water, and the Fastnet Rock, while planning for the next season starts as soon as one season is over, attending trade shows, etc. The ferry to Cape Clear Island, of course, is also the island’s lifeline – from food supplies to cattle, it is all carried in on the ferry.

Winning the Wild Atlantic Way’s Tourism Business of the Year – Cape Clear Ferries in 2022 and Best New Business 2023 for Cork Harbour Cruises at the CBA awards - were both nice recognition of the work we do.

Brendan, my Master Mariner husband, was away a lot when the children were very young working four weeks at sea at a time. Thankfully, as we have grown both businesses he has been able to stay at home full time and that means we are together as a family, which is worth more than money to us. 

We make a great team, and are hoping we are creating opportunities for the next generation of Darrers/Cottrells.

Brendan is also a relief coxswain for the lifeboat in Baltimore with 20 plus years’ service done, along with his brothers and his father before him. When the pager goes off in the middle of the night and we know well the seas are rough and the ferries are tucked up behind the storm gates in Cape Clear Island and the lifeboat has to go to the rescue, you worry. Your initial reaction is if it’s someone you know, then it’s that, please god they will all be safe.

My relationship with the sea you could say is a visceral one, it’s in the blood! I am very fortunate to be part of a thriving coastal community in Baltimore and I am truly grateful to the sea as it is sustaining our family just as it has done of those who went before us, and I hope those who come after us.