Dun Briste Sea Stack, Sea stack at Downpatrick Head, County Mayo, Ireland
Dun Briste is a limestone sea stack rising 45 meters (148 feet) from the water and standing about 80 meters (262 feet) from the mainland cliffs at Downpatrick Head. The column dominates the coastline and can be viewed clearly from designated platforms and footpaths along the headland.
A powerful storm in 1393 separated this limestone formation from the mainland, creating the isolated stack that stands today. This single event permanently changed the coastline and left the rock as a lasting reminder of nature's force.
The stack once held the homes and fields of people who made their lives on this isolated rock. Visitors can still see where stone walls and farming ridges marked the daily struggles of those who lived here.
The stack is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Ballycastle village and is best viewed from marked observation points along the clifftop. Walking paths around the headland allow you to explore the area at your own pace and find the best vantage points.
Researchers who landed by helicopter in 1980 discovered evidence of former settlements at the summit, including the ruins of a dwelling and cultivation marks. This surprising discovery showed that people had actually inhabited this remote rock long before the modern era.
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