When you think of Irish cliffs and must-see tourist sites, the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare automatically spring to mind.
But today, I’m going to take you on a tour of County Cork’s lesser known, but just as spectacular cliffs at Mizen Head, Ireland’s most south westerly point.
I love to take you off the well beaten Irish tourist trail, to discover Ireland’s hidden treasures. If you plan to visit Ireland in search of bracing ocean scented air, then the Mizen is the place for you.
The wonderful thing about this magnificent County Cork outpost on the Wild Atlantic Way, is that it is far less busy than the more northerly Ring of Kerry or Cliffs of Moher.
And so, brace yourself for a photographic tour of dizzying proportions.
In today’s post I share some photos I took on a wild and blustery spring day. Join me as we peer over some of Ireland’s rocky precipices and enjoy the churning Atlantic ocean.
The old Mizen Head Signal Station has been transformed into an award winning Maritime Museum and Heritage Centre.
This rocky outpost is in a spectacular location high atop the cliffs and the swirling Atlantic Ocean tides. A path down 99 steps leads to a footbridge crossing the churning waters below.
Tread quickly across this bridge, if like me, you don’t have a head for heights.
I handed my camera over to my husband to take this shot looking directly below the bridge.
But once my kids started shouting they could see a seal battling the waters below, I overcame my fears to take a look.
Apparently seals and their pups are often seen swimming in the Atlantic swells within this gorge. Mizen Head is a perfect vantage point to scan the waters for whales and dolphins. Only seals spotted on our visit.
Here’s a view of the rocky shoreline from the bridge. The layers of rock are formed by Devonian era slate. The many shaded gray striations are simply spectacular.
This is a majestic landscape with breathtaking scenery equal to any found in Ireland.
Out in the distance the Fastnet Rock can be spotted.
A 19th century lighthouse sits atop this rocky outcrop known as the Teardrop of Ireland. For many leaving Ireland’s shores as emigrants, the Fastnet Rock was the very last little sliver of Ireland they beheld.
Building this safety beacon so far off shore is a credit to 19th century engineering skills.
The old signal station now houses an informative museum with exhibits showing what life was like for those who worked here many years ago.
Here you can learn about the vast array of wildlife to be found in the seas and surrounding cliffs, together with the history of the Fastnet Rock, Marconi and radio communication.
This majestic seascape, with its many breath-taking views has to be seen to be believed.
My family visited on a wet and blustery day, with storm clouds hovering on the horizon. Despite hail showers, and mist laden gales, we found the experience to be completely exhilarating.
Mizen Head is Ireland’s southerly land’s end. I highly recommend a visit, especially if you wish to experience the power of the Atlantic ocean, without the excessive crowds found in other corners of Ireland.
For anyone interested in visiting, here are two great websites for planning a trip –
Wishing you all happy trails in Ireland.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and Blessings)
Irish American Mom
Beautiful! In our family, my husband would be handing the camera to ME as he left to go back to somewhere he would be surrounded by land!
Hi Patricia – Glad to learn I’m not the only land lover. There’s something about water under a bridge that does a number on my poor head. I’m usually grand on cliffs, but crossing a bridge is another story altogether. Then, my husband is a bit of a daredevil with absolutely no fears, so I get teased about my fear of bridges all the time. As a kid I even hated to cross O’Connell Bridge in Dublin on foot.
All the best,
Mairéad
Love your pictures and story, thanks for sharing. While my husband and I have visited Ireland 3 times, last September was our most recent trip, I have not heard how beautiful Mizen Head is. We plan to come visit for 6 months in 2019 so I will make sure we come see this wonder!
Hi Becky – The Mizen peninsula is well worth a visit. A few miles before the Signal Station you pass Barley Cove Beach – one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Six months in Ireland will be wonderful. I hope you enjoy your trip planning process over the next few years.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Thanks so much for sharing this Mairead! I remember seeing similar gorgeous cliffs in Kerry! This lovely post gives me a wonderful sense of the beauty I remember from Ireland!
Hi Maury – The Kerry cliffs are spectacular also. So glad these photos brought back memories of your Irish trip. Ireland’s landscapes and seascapes have to be seen to be believed.
All the best,
Mairéad
love your blog. & thnx for sharing your thoughts & pics. i recently encountered fastnet rock in a marvelous book titled Dead Wake about the last voyage of the lusitania. you may want to read it yourself.
Hi Mary Ann – Thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds like a very interesting read. And thanks for stopping by to check out my photos of Mizen Head and the Fastnet Rock.
All the best,
Mairéad
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks, Bill. The whole of the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork is spectacular.
All the best, and I hope your writing is progressing nicely.
Mairéad
Ohhh, Mairead*! I loved this post! Your pictures are really great…spectacular! I really knew very little about Mizen Head, having never been there…just so beautiful…
Thank you for this wonderful visit to an incredible place!
The west coast of Ireland is truly beautiful. Each peninsula in West Cork has its own unique history and charm.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
never like to forget to say, God bless you!
Blessings to you too.
Mizen Head is so much more brilliant that cliffs of Mohe in my opinion. One thing people should know though is the road to it is very windy and up and down so if you are prone to motion sickness like I am, you may want to sit in the front seat of the vehicle, eat light, and also watch out for cyclist. I am always amazed at how many people ride their bikes in Ireland on busy windy roads. OH, and have a paper bag read. I needed that and blessed it with my experience. I still would not miss it for the world though.
Hi Brighid – Travelling by car in Ireland is challenging for anyone who suffers from motion sickness. My eldest boy is prone to motion sickness, so I am relegated to the back seat whenever we are driving on Irish country roads. The way to Mizen Head is exceptionally winding but oh boy, is it worth the time and effort. The scenery is spectacular, especially Barley Cove beach. I agree with your that Mizen Head is even more impressive than the Cliffs of Moher. Another spot I want to visit someday is Slieve League in County Donegal, which boasts the highest sea cliffs in all of Europe.
Best wishes, and thanks for stopping by,
Mairéad