Saltee Islands
The Saltee Islands (Irish: Na Sailtí [1]) are a pair of small islands lying 5 kilometres off the southern coast of County Wexford in Ireland. The two islands are Great Saltee (89 hectares) and Little Saltee (40 hectares). They have been uninhabited since the early 20th century. Both are privately owned by the Neale family since 1943.
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[edit] Etymology
The name is likely from Old Norse: Salt-øy meaning "salt island". This may refer to the salty spray which sweeps across the islands at times of high winds and waves, especially during the winter.
[edit] Geology and Geography
The islands are based on Pre-Cambrian bedrock, between 600 million and 2 billion years old. The highest point in the Saltees is South Summit on Great Saltee at 198 feet (60 metres). The waters around the islands can be treacherous, hence the area is known as the "Graveyard of a Thousand Ships" and the islands their tombstones.
[edit] Wildlife
Together, the islands form one of Ireland's largest bird sanctuaries. Many species of seabirds are found there, including gannets, cormorants, puffins, razorbills and guillemots and kittiwakes as well as a colony of manx shearwaters, one of very few in eastern Ireland. The Saltee Islands St. Georges Channel are situated approximately 5 kilometres off the coast of Kilmore Quay County Wexford. The larger island, Great Saltee, is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers.
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. Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually.
[edit] Popular culture
- The Saltee Islands are the setting for Eoin Colfer's book Airman as a powerful sovereign state based around diamond industry.
[edit] References
- ^ logainm.ie, accessed 12 May 2009
[edit] External links
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