Typically boats would be arranged in "trains" with multiple vessels connected by ropes,[4] and they would be out on the sea for three weeks or more, with these excursions happening between early May and late August.

Each boat would carry a train of thirty or so lobster pots made in winter of willow rods, with mackerel used as bait.

25ft to 28ft long which made them light enough for rowing if needed,[6] and they were a design with two masts, a gaff-rigged mainsail and foresail.

One yawl carried a crew of three,[5] and the only shelter the fishermen had was the teamhal sail (hence the anglicized name "towelsail") canvas spread in the shape of a tent at the bow of the boat.

The yawl fishermen would participate in Baltimore and Schull regattas which were important social events of the area.

There is a wooden cross erected by locals, and in 2013, on the 10th anniversary of the masses, a commemorative plaque was added on the side of the road.

This hamlet, the main residential area known as Paris, was once the centre of the island's fishing activities and the landing, pickling and barrelling of the day's catch was done there.

The island also has 2 piers and today the shop's location is in Burke's (home of the Roaringwater Sailing School).

[11] Although the small island does not have a pub, it has B&Bs, holiday rentals, an art gallery, a sailing school and outdoor activities camp, a holistic therapy centre, one permanent restaurant and one pop-up restaurant which is located in the Sailing School.

The island is also a destination for bird watchers, due to its mixture of eco-systems; coastal, forest, marsh and heathland.