Mizen Peninsula
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Mizen Peninsula Mizen Head / Carn Uí Néid |
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| Geographical location | ||
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| Coordinates | 51 ° 33 '33 " N , 9 ° 36' 40" W | |
| Waters 1 | Atlantic Ocean | |
The Mizen Peninsula ( Irish Carn Uí Néid , English Mizen Head ) is the southernmost of the four southwestern peninsulas of Ireland and belongs to the county of Cork . It has the shape of two fingers, of which the northern "Sheep's Head" (or Muntervary , Irish Rinn Mhuintir Bháire ) is called and is one of the most isolated regions on the entire island. Ring roads on which u. a. the tiny towns of Crookhaven, Goleen, Schull and Toormore , open up the two-part peninsula.
The road between Bantry and Skibbereen marks the eastern border of the two almost 30 km long fingers that make up the Gaeltacht area. Sheep's Head or Mizen Head are at their ends. The old copper mines at Mount Gabriel are near the highest point on the peninsula.
Mizen Head is Ireland's picturesque south-western tip. Here lies the small town of Crookhaven with its sheltered harbor. Marconi came here to broadcast his first radio message across the Atlantic and to communicate with passing ships. A bridge leads to the lighthouse and the Mizen Head Visitor Center on the offshore cliff, where the rough surf of the Atlantic creates high spray.
The village of Goleen was built in the 19th century on a crossroad where livestock exhibitions were held. There is also a hidden harbor, the village its name Goilin (dt. Small estuary ) today. Although the port dries out at low tide , there is a quay for mooring fishing boats and yachts.
Schull is a sailing town that attracts visitors with festivals and regattas in the summer and has its season that lasts late into the night in Ireland's only planetarium .
Close to Toormore (Tuar Mór) are the Wedge Tombs of Toormore and Altar and the Portal Tomb of Arderawinny .
The Sheep's Head Peninsula is almost deserted and only about 16 miles long from Durrus to its end. One of the few signposted circular walks in West Cork leads to the top of Sheep's Head.
Web links
- The Visitor Center website (English)