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Malin Head
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Visitors should not miss Banba's Crown
Malin Head. It is not just Ireland's most northerly point, but an area
of great scenic beauty and of historical, scientific and ecological
importance. The circuit of the Head will take you past the Radio
Station, built in 1910, and round the coast to Banba's Crown, the
northern tip of Ireland. |
Here a tall derelic building known locally
as "The Tower" was built in 1908 by the Admiralty, and later used as a
Lloyds Signal Station. During the second world war, the small huts were
built and used by our defence forces to keep a lookout and protect our
neutrality. It is also a perfect starting point for a ramble along the
cliffs to Hell's Hole, a remarkable subterranean cavern 250 feet long
and 8 feet wide, into which the tide rushes with great force. Nearby is
a picturesque natural arch called the Devil's Bridge.
To the north-east can be seen Inistrahull Island. Its first lighthouse
was put into operation in 1813, and its light flashes every 30 seconds.
Further out to the east, on a clear day you can see the Scottish hills.
Below Banba's Crown to the east lies Ballyhillion beach, a unique raised
beach system of international scientific importance. The very distrinct
shorelines show quite dramatically the changing relationship between the
sea and the land from the time the glaciers began to melt, some 15,000
years ago. At that time Donegal was depressed by the weight of an
immense ice sheet, so the level of the sea was up to 80 feet higher than
today.
The beach is also noted for its semi-precious stones, such as cornelian,
chalcedony, jasper, serpentine, agate, etc., all of which can be
polished and set into jewellery.
The route passes the Meteorological Station built in 1955.
A detour to explore the Wee House of Malin will reveal that the "wee"
house is in fact a cave in the hillside and is said to be the home of
St. Muirdealach. Legend has it that no matter how many people entered
this cave it always had room for more.
Beside are the remains of an old church which according to tradition was
built by St Muirdealach. Built of split stone rubble and some boulders,
only the NE and S walls now survive. |
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