Nearest Landscape & Nature Ireland

Sheep’s Head, also known as Muntervary, is the headland at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula situated between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork. The peninsula is popular with walkers, and the Sheep’s Head Way is an 88 km long-distance trail which follows old tracks and roads around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back. The trail is divided into eight stages, each representing a half-day’s walking, and is very accessible, well signposted and combines low and rugged hills with coastline and cliffs.

Inchagoill Island is the fourth largest island on Lough Corrib and has a number of monastic ruins, woodlands, coves and bays that are ideal for picnics and swimming. This is the most visited of all of the many islands on Lough Corrib.

Slea Head is a promontory in the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula, together with Dunmore Head this is the westernmost point of Ireland. It is a well known and recognised landmark and also a very scenic viewpoint, with a dramatic view of the Blasket Islands.

Sherkin Island is 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) long by 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) wide. The island includes 3 beaches, Silver Strand (Green Coast Award), Cow Strand and Trabawn. You also have a Franciscan friary and Sherkin also has camp facilities. Please be aware that it is expected you take away everything you came with as there is no rubbish collection points.

Great Blasket Island lies approximately 2 km from the mainland where the nearest mainland town is Dunquin; a ferry to the island operates during summer months.

The Saltee Islands are a pair of privately owned islands small islands sitting 5km off the southern coast of Wexford. The two islands are Great Saltee (89 hectares) and Little Saltee (37 hectares) and are a Special Area of Conservation. The islands are a breeding ground for Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin and Grey Seal. An area surrounding both islands and extending approximately 500m off shore was granted the status of a Special Protection Area to protect the bird habitat. Day visitors are  allowed on the Great Saltee between 11:30 and 16:30  only, with arranged trips from the closest fishing village on the mainland at Kilmore Quay.

Aillwee Cave is a cave system of over a kilometre of passages leading into the heart of the Burren mountainside. The cave was discovered in 1944 by a local farmer but was not explored and mapped until late 1970’s when he told people about it. Features of the cave include an underground river and a waterfall as well as some large stalactites and stalagmites and the layout consists of a stream passage, ending in a sump. The bones of bears found in Aillwee Cave and the shallow pits discovered in the passage suggest bears may have used the cave for hibernation. Today, tours of the cave consist of a 30-minute guided walk.  

Cape Clear Island is the largest and hilliest island in Roaringwater Bay situated 13km from Baltimore. Cape Clear has a wild and romantic landscape and unspoilt charm.

Slieve League is a mountain on the Atlantic coast. At a height of 601 metres (1,972 ft) it is the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Slieve League’s cliffs reach almost three times higher.