Erris Head

Erris Head (Irish: Ceann Iorrais[1]) is a promontory at the northernmost tip of the Mullet Peninsula, located in the barony of Erris in northwest County Mayo, Ireland. It is a well known and recognised landmark used by mariners and weather forecasters, and is also a scenic viewpoint, with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean and steep rocky cliffs.[2] It is not served by any road and can only be reached by crossing a number of fields.

Erris Head
Ceann Iorrais
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Erris Head
Map of Ireland
LocationCounty Mayo, Ireland
Coordinates54°18′05″N 9°59′50″W[1]
Governing bodyNational Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)

Special Area of Conservation

Erris Head has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Union's Habitats Directive. Erris Head SAC comprises approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) of cliff plus adjoining habitats. The geology of the region consists of acid rocks, such as quartzite, gneiss and Silurian schists and slates. The sea cliffs are very exposed and subject to very high rainfall. They are of moderate height, reaching a maximum of about 90 m (300 ft) in the north-east and are predominantly north-facing. Vegetation here includes such species as roseroot and rock sea-spurrey.[3]

A notable habitat on the site is alpine heath, which occurs inland from the tops of the sea cliffs. This dry heath supports juniper, bearberry, crowberry and heather. There are wet flushes and areas of wet heath, and here grow blunt-flowered rush, three species of sundew and the rare marsh heleborine orchid.[3]

Seabirds nest on the cliffs, with fulmars and great black-backed gulls being most numerous, and peregrine falcons and choughs also breed here. In winter, barnacle geese feed on the grasslands above the cliff. Irish hares and common frogs occur on the headland, and grey seals can often be seen at the foot of the cliffs.[3]

Marine reserve

An area of sea, extending 200 m (660 ft) from the base of the cliffs, forms part of the site. This is included mainly to provide added protection for the cliff-nesting seabirds.[3]

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See also

References
  1. "Ceann Iorrais". Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  2. "Erris Head". Discover Ireland. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  3. "Erris Head SAC" (PDF). Irish Government. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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