Erris Head, Protected coastal area at Mullet Peninsula, County Mayo, Ireland
Erris Head is a protected coastal area at the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo featuring steep rocky cliffs and dry heathland that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The site is crossed by numerous walking trails that run along the rocky shoreline.
The region became a fishing centre over centuries, with settled communities developing deep knowledge of local waters and navigation techniques. Archaeological evidence points to early settlements that populated this exposed coastline.
The area takes its name from its windswept position and locals connect it to fishing traditions passed down through families over many generations. Visitors today can see how the landscape has shaped the way people live and work in this region.
Getting there requires patience and solid footwear since access is only on foot through several fields via unpaved paths. Plan extra time for the journey as the location is remote and can quickly become unreachable in poor weather.
The cliffs provide nesting grounds for seabirds like fulmars and great black-backed gulls that establish colonies there. Grey seals take shelter among the rocks and surface regularly in the coastal waters.
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