The family hopped on the ferry in Kilmore Quay for a 20 minute ride across the water to the big Saltee Island for 3 hours of exploring.
An absolutely perfect day in the Sunny Southeast 🇮🇪 Sun cream required today
We were transferred to a dingy to reach the island, hopped off in knee high water and walked through some slimy seaweed to reach the beach. We met a guide who told us about the island and its inhabitants. Reminding us the importance of staying on the path and not disturbing the bird environment or the seas birthing ion the shores. In other words be respectful and a good human.
The Saltee Islands, St. George’s Channel consisting of the Great and Little Saltee, are situated approximately 5 kilometers off the coast of Kilmore Quay Co.Wexford. The larger island Great Saltee is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland and is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers alike. These Islands are privately owned by the Neale family and are one of the world’s major bird sanctuaries.
The Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of birds, from Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants. The Great Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of the very few in eastern Ireland.
Archaeological evidence show that Neolithic man settled there, and traces of religious settlements still exist. Early Christian hermits, Vikings, Normans and medieval monks also inhabited the islands. Small communities of farmers and fishermen made a humble living there. There is also evidence of buccaneering and smuggling. A flourishing period in the history of the islands was from about 1500 – 1800. The Saltees were in the path of one of the world’s most important sea trading routes – between Britain and the American continent. They were used as a base for pirates, wreckers and smugglers. Pirates from Spain, France, North Africa and America plundered the busy merchant ships within sight of the islands. And in the days of sail the waters around the islands became known as ” the graveyard of a thousand ships” and the islands their tombstones, so dangerous was the area to shipping. The gains of the wreckers and smugglers could very well be hidden in the many caves which have mysterious and romantic names – Lady Walker’s Cave, Happy Hole, Otter’s Cave and Hell Hole, enough for any Treasure Island.
The big island was extensively farmed in the nineteenth century. Farming ceased in 1900 until 1939, when early potatoes and barley were important crops. Other crops included oats, beans, onions, etc. Farming ended in 1943.
In December 1943 the Saltees were purchased privately by the late Prince Michael the First. Since his death in January 1998 the islands are now owned by his five sons Michael, John, Manfred, Paul, Richard and daughter Anne. He is buried in the family vault in Bannow Bay, Co.Wexford.
And for Princes too
The hike around the islands spectacular views from above
One of the most spectacular sights on the Great Saltee in mid-Summer are the sea birds colonies on the cliffs to the north-east of the Gannet headland. Vast numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills pack the ledges and create a frightful incessant din which only at night abates a little. The Fulmars too play their part in this splendour. Towards dusk the sight of the Puffins congregating in small groups near their nestling sites presents a marvellous sight.
The seagulls are XL sized
The gannets were there by the thousands and lots of babies nesting
As you came around the top you trekked down closer to the rocky beach
Permission for day visits to the Great Saltee, by courtesy of the Neale family.
The tides coming in and it’s time to return after a lovely visit to the Saltee Island, a very special day.
“All people are welcome to come, see and enjoy the islands, and leave them as they found them for the unborn generations to come see and enjoy.” – Michael the First
