The one and only Chuck Kruger, resident of Cape Clear Island since the 1980’s and newly minted Irish Citizen needs little introduction. His poems, musings and various books inspired by his life changing move to the Island have gradually found themselves a respectable niche in the literary world. His broadcasts, especially on Seascapes and Sunday Miscellany have reached an even wider audience and his inspirational efforts to establish a major International Storytelling Festival on Cape Clear have achieved a benign notoriety deserved by those who see great riches where others see only rocks. Through his writings, and other efforts therefore, he has taught us how to see the Island in a new and ever exciting light, to appreciate the joys of nature grounded in human affairs, of everyday community life in a spectacular natural setting. Few of those besotted with the language and lore of Island Life will not already have copies of some or all of his previous publications such as Cape Clear Island Magic and Between a Rock and many others will know him by reputation. What many do not yet know, however, is that apart from all of the above Chuck is also an accomplished and prolific photographer who has built up a truly astonishing collection of over 22,000 film photographs of Cape Clear since 1986. Over the years he has also shown great generosity in sharing photographs of almost every significant event liberally throughout the wider island community. Many of his photos have also achieved prominence in various Island publications and have adorned many articles penned by others. Such largesse is made for sharing and over the past year much effort has been expended to narrow these down to 150 of the spectacular best for the latest very special book about Oileán Chléire. Cape Clear Island, a Visual Tour Accompanied by Some Sunday Miscellany Musings is exactly what it says. Chuck sees the photographs as non-verbal poems, so intensely do they move into the heart and soul of Cape, of its people, its landscape, its seascapes, it’s very nature. They cover all seasons and all sides of the Island and the accompanying writings are very well chosen and exceptionally well placed throughout. The book has also clearly been a labour of love also for Designer and Typesetter, Fergal Mac Amhlaoibh, himself a former Co Op Manager and Island Resident and is beautifully executed by Inspire Print and Design of Skibbereen. The Island looks forward to the launch which takes place in Club Cléire on Sunday 1 May at 4pm by another great friend of the Coastal Fringe, Tom Mc Sweeney. All are welcome and during the event signed copies of the book which will retail at €20 will be available at a reduced cost of €15. The book is published by Comharchumann Chléire Teo with the support of Comhar na nOileánTeo’s Rural Development Programme. The profits generated will help to support the Island Information Office and Craft Shop. For more on Chuck and indeed his devoted best half, Nell visit www.chuckkruger.net