Copeland Islands

The Copeland Islands is a group of three islands consisting of Lighthouse, Mew and Copeland Island.

The Copeland Islands Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) is located in the north Irish Sea, north of Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland and comprises a group of three islands, The Great Copeland, Lighthouse Island and Mew Island. The islands are important sites for breeding seabirds and waders, in addition to their coastal plant communities and geological features.

Great Copeland supports the most diverse range of habitats of the three islands. Communities influenced by the sea are found around the shore with maritime cliff vegetation and pockets of salt marsh also present. The centre of the island is occupied by semi-improved wet grassland with frequent areas of marsh.

There is public passenger boat service to the islands during the summer months from Donaghadee harbour, allowing a visit of a few hours.