• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Archives
  • Privacy Policy

Irish American Mom

Celebrating Our Irish Heritage Together

  • Irish Cooking
    • A Taste of Ireland
    • Recipe Index
    • Bread, Muffins, Pancakes And Scones
    • Drinks And Cocktails
    • Favorite American Recipes
    • Irish Appetizers And Party Food
    • Irish Breakfast
    • Irish Cakes, Cookies And Desserts
    • All Recipes
    • Irish Main Dishes
    • Irish Side Dishes
    • Irish Soups And Stews
    • Reader Recipes
    • Irish American Mom’s Pancake Roundup
  • Irish Culture
    • Blessings
    • Irish Books
    • Irish Crafts
    • Irish Expressions
    • Irish Life
    • Irish Movies
    • Irish Music
    • Irish Poetry
    • Irish Superstitions
    • Irish Television
    • The Irish Language or Gaelic
    • Symbols Of Ireland
    • The Irish Psyche
    • The Spud Saga
    • What I Miss About Ireland
    • Wise Old Words
  • Visiting Ireland
    • Ireland – County By County
    • Land and Culture
    • Why Tourists Love Ireland
  • Immigrant Tales
    • Stories of our Ancestors
    • Stories from the Present
    • Genealogy Resources
  • Ramblings
    • My American Journey
    • Why I Love America
    • Blogging
    • Holidays
    • America the Beautiful
  • Giveaways
    • Giveaways
    • Gifts
  • Buying Irish Food
You are here: Home / Lessons for Tourists / Land and Culture / Mizen Head, County Cork

Mizen Head, County Cork

August 16, 2016 by Irish American Mom 16 Comments

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. 

Looking north from Mizen Head towards the Sheep's Head Peninsula

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.

Dangerous Cliffs sign in Ireland

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 signal station at Mizen Head West Cork

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.

Footbridge at Mizen Head

Tread quickly across this bridge, if like me, you don’t have a head for heights.

Atlantic waters churning below the Mizen Bridge

I handed my camera over to my husband to take this shot looking directly below the bridge.

Seal at Mizen Head

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.

Sheer cliff face at Mizen Head

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.

Atlantic ocean at Mizen Head

This is a majestic landscape with breathtaking scenery equal to any found in Ireland.

The Fastnet Rock Cork

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.

Model lighthouse keeper at Mizen Head signal station

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.

Sea arch at Mizen Head

This majestic seascape, with its many breath-taking views has to be seen to be believed.

The cliffs at Mizen Head Cork

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.

The view at Mizen Head

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 –

Mizen Head Signal Station

Mizen Head Visitor Centre

Wishing you all happy trails in Ireland. 

 

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and Blessings)

 

Irish American Mom

Share my recipes and ramblings with the world
  • 1
    Share

Filed Under: Land and Culture, Lessons for Tourists Tagged With: County Cork, Ireland's Coastline, Ireland's Hidden Treasures, Irish Scenery, Mizen Head, Off The Beaten Path, West Cork, Wild Atlantic Way

Recent Updates from Irish American Mom

  • This Christmas May You Have Walls For The Wind
  • The Light Of The Christmas Star To You
  • May You Be Blessed With The Spirit Of The Season
  • May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland

Comments

  1. Patricia says

    August 16, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 16, 2016 at 6:24 pm

      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

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    August 16, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 16, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      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

      Reply
  3. Maury says

    August 16, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 16, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      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

      Reply
  4. mary ann Lucas says

    August 17, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 17, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      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

      Reply
  5. Bill Cokas says

    August 17, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 17, 2016 at 10:02 pm

      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

      Reply
  6. irishnannie says

    August 18, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 18, 2016 at 11:27 pm

      The west coast of Ireland is truly beautiful. Each peninsula in West Cork has its own unique history and charm.
      Best wishes,
      Mairéad

      Reply
  7. irishnannie says

    August 18, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    never like to forget to say, God bless you!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      August 18, 2016 at 11:27 pm

      Blessings to you too.

      Reply
  8. Brighid O'Sullivan says

    November 19, 2016 at 9:50 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      November 19, 2016 at 5:31 pm

      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

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Becky Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search My Site

A Warm Welcome From Irish American Mom

I believe it’s never too late to explore your Irish cultural heritage and celebrate your ancestors’ spiritual legacy. Read More About The Irish American Mom Community

Mom’s Recipes and Ramblings Are Featured On Irish Central

A green background around the letters I and C in the Irish Central Logo

Thanks For Visiting

Advertising
Comment Policy
Disclaimer
Disclosure
Privacy Policy
Contact
FAQ's
Sitemap

 

© Copyright 2011-2019, Irish American Mom.

All Rights Reserved.

Previously Featured On Irish American Mom

View of the entrance to the Rock of Dunamase County Laois

The Rock of Dunamase

Old irish saying about embellishment of a story

Never Let The Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story

Chicken carcass, water, onion, celery, carrot and herbs for homemade chicken stock

Slow Cooker or Crockpot Chicken Stock

Connemara Coastline and path to Omey Island

Anne Driscoll’s July Ramblings From Ireland

Children's Artwork

Family Rosary “Try Prayer! It Works!” Contest Winners 2018

Many Thanks to the Irish Blog Awards – Irish American Mom Won the Silver Award in the 2018 Diaspora Category

Silver glittery b for the silver winner badge in the Blog Awards Ireland 2018

Recent Reader Comments

  • Irish American Mom on Irish – A Language Without Words For ‘Yes’ and ‘No’
  • Irish American Mom on How To Cook Rutabaga Or Turnip Irish Style
  • Irish American Mom on This Christmas May You Have Walls For The Wind
  • Irish American Mom on Irish Christmas Blessings
  • Irish American Mom on How Irish Mothers Warned Us To Be Good For Goodness Sake
  • Lynn on How Irish Mothers Warned Us To Be Good For Goodness Sake
  • Lynn on Irish Christmas Blessings

Copyright © 2019 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This site uses cookies: Find out more.