Three Natural Seaside Phenomena
Giant’s Causeway, Causeway Rd, Bushmills, Co Antrim, tel: (+4428) 2073-1855, or see giantscausewaytickets.com
The Giant’s Causeway, pictured below, a world heritage site, is a rocky shoreline made from over 40,000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns; nobody really knows how they got there. Of course, we know that it is something to do with the cooling of lava flow, but the ambiguity has left open the opportunity to believe that there might be a mystical reason why the rocks stand as they do. Enter the giant, Finn McCool, and all the folklore that comes with his story. Visiting the shoreline starts at the National Trust visitors centre, with exhibitions and explanations and, if you like, you can pick up an audio guide. Walk, or shuttle bus; 9am-9pm July-August, with earlier closing for the rest of the year.
Loop Head & The Cliffs of Nowhere, Kilkee, Co Clare, or see loophead.ie
The horseshoe bay of Kilkee has always attracted bathers and walkers, and the accessible sea cliff walk, pictured right, is known locally as The Cliffs of Nowhere, in deference to the more famous cliffs up the road. The cliff walk is accessible from behind the Diamond Rocks Cafe, and loops around with incredible views of cliffs and sea stacks. Loop Head tourism group has protected this environment with slow and careful development. There are several restaurants, great walks and don’t miss the lighthouse at the end of the headland.
Killary Fjord Leenane, Co Mayo, or see killaryfjord.com
Killary, pictured above, is Ireland’s only fjord, and stretches 16km inland, to the village of Leenane. The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein stayed in a cottage — in the building that is now the youth hostel — in Rosroe, for six months in 1948, and described this region as “the last pool of darkness”. Local legend has it that tea chests filled with his notes were found in the attic when the youth hostel was being developed. The locals, believing Wittgenstein to have been insane, suggested the notes be burnt — which they were. Modern aquaculture developments on the fjord have created unfortunate visual disturbance, but the surrounding areas and the major route of the N95 are amongst the most beautiful vistas in the country. Ferry trips of the fjord leave from close to Leenane.