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EspañolBULL ISLAND
(Redirected from North Bull Island)
'Bull Island' (''Oileán an Tharbh'' in Irish) or more properly 'North Bull Island' (''Oileán an Tharbh Thuaidh'' in Irish) is an island located in Dublin Bay in Ireland, about long and 800 m wide, lying roughly parallel to the shore. It is less than two centuries old, having been formed by sand building up after the North Bull Wall (designed by Capt. William Bligh, of Bounty fame) was completed in the early 19th century to keep clear the channel to Dublin Port.
The island is connected to the mainland by a wooden road bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and by a causeway at Raheny, approximately halfway along, and forms part of Raheny and Clontarf districts.
There are just a few residents, and in addition to the clubhouses of the two golf clubs, there is a Sea Scout den at the Clontarf end.
North Bull Island comprises the largest park owned by Dublin City Council, and is city property, after the buying out of interests such as the Howth Estate, except for North Bull Wall and the wooden bridge to it, which are owned by Dublin Port, and the Royal Dublin Golf Club links. At the end of the wall beyond the bridge is the famous Realt na Mara statue opened by the then Archbishop of Dublin in 1972.
The island continues to grow and it is a possibility that within the next half-century continued deposition may lead to its merging with the mainland at Red Rock in Sutton, forming a lagoon, changing the make-up of the area's wildlife and landlocking two dinghy sailing clubs. However, the risk of this is considered small due to the strength of currents and depth of water in Sutton Channel.
Bird life on the island has been protected by legislation since the 1930s, and it was designated a national nature reserve in 1988. It is listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve. Bird species on the island include Pale-bellied Brent Goose, curlews, oystercatchers, grey plovers and shovelers. There are 6 terrestrial mammal species on the island: brown rat, fox, field-mouse, hedgehog, Irish hare, and rabbit. The hare has been in decline for many years and faces an uncertain future. During a study of hares on the island during the 1990s it was concluded that poor breeding success was the main cause of the drop off in numbers. The rabbit was also once much more numerous than it is today. In 1991 myxomatosis entered the population and caused devastating losses. Shortly after this, viral haemorragic disease was also found in blood samples taken from sick rabbits. The common seal and grey seal are also found in the surrounding waters and can regularly be seen hauled up on sand at low tide at the tip of the island near Howth.
The island is also home to the bee, pyramidal and common spotted orchids.
There is an interpretive centre near the causeway.
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Dollymount Strand, the c. beach on the island, is a popular walking and recreational area for Dubliners.
Many a Dubliner learned to drive on the firm flat sandy foreshore at low tide; there are even (very low) speed limits posted on the beach. Today, access by car is limited to portions of the island near the Bridge access and the causeway from Raheny.
"Dollier" is historically a popular swimming spot but usage fell sharply as pollution rose in the 1980's. Later, Blue Flag status was obtained but in 2007, significant algae has developed on a large part of the seashore, causing the strand to lose its Blue Flag (2007).
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In recent years Bull Island has also become popular with kite-surfers, with a declared kitesurfing launch area. The shallow water and long stretch of straight beach allows for safe kite-surfing. This has encouraged many beginners to take up the sport on the island.
The island has two golf courses, the more famous belonging to the Royal Dublin Golf Club, and the newer to St. Anne's Golf Club.
★ UNESCO Biosphere Directory entry
★ Directory of Wetlands of International Importance: North Bull Island
★ Google Maps map of the island
★ Some wild flowers of Bull Island
'Bull Island' (''Oileán an Tharbh'' in Irish) or more properly 'North Bull Island' (''Oileán an Tharbh Thuaidh'' in Irish) is an island located in Dublin Bay in Ireland, about long and 800 m wide, lying roughly parallel to the shore. It is less than two centuries old, having been formed by sand building up after the North Bull Wall (designed by Capt. William Bligh, of Bounty fame) was completed in the early 19th century to keep clear the channel to Dublin Port.
| Contents |
| Access and Occupancy |
| Situation |
| Ongoing Development |
| Nature |
| Dollymount Strand |
| Swimming |
| Kite-surfing |
| Golf |
| External links |
Access and Occupancy
The island is connected to the mainland by a wooden road bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and by a causeway at Raheny, approximately halfway along, and forms part of Raheny and Clontarf districts.
There are just a few residents, and in addition to the clubhouses of the two golf clubs, there is a Sea Scout den at the Clontarf end.
Situation
North Bull Island comprises the largest park owned by Dublin City Council, and is city property, after the buying out of interests such as the Howth Estate, except for North Bull Wall and the wooden bridge to it, which are owned by Dublin Port, and the Royal Dublin Golf Club links. At the end of the wall beyond the bridge is the famous Realt na Mara statue opened by the then Archbishop of Dublin in 1972.
Ongoing Development
The island continues to grow and it is a possibility that within the next half-century continued deposition may lead to its merging with the mainland at Red Rock in Sutton, forming a lagoon, changing the make-up of the area's wildlife and landlocking two dinghy sailing clubs. However, the risk of this is considered small due to the strength of currents and depth of water in Sutton Channel.
Nature
Bird life on the island has been protected by legislation since the 1930s, and it was designated a national nature reserve in 1988. It is listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve. Bird species on the island include Pale-bellied Brent Goose, curlews, oystercatchers, grey plovers and shovelers. There are 6 terrestrial mammal species on the island: brown rat, fox, field-mouse, hedgehog, Irish hare, and rabbit. The hare has been in decline for many years and faces an uncertain future. During a study of hares on the island during the 1990s it was concluded that poor breeding success was the main cause of the drop off in numbers. The rabbit was also once much more numerous than it is today. In 1991 myxomatosis entered the population and caused devastating losses. Shortly after this, viral haemorragic disease was also found in blood samples taken from sick rabbits. The common seal and grey seal are also found in the surrounding waters and can regularly be seen hauled up on sand at low tide at the tip of the island near Howth.
The island is also home to the bee, pyramidal and common spotted orchids.
There is an interpretive centre near the causeway.
Dollymount Strand
Dollymount Strand, the c. beach on the island, is a popular walking and recreational area for Dubliners.
Learning to drive on Dollymount Strand
Many a Dubliner learned to drive on the firm flat sandy foreshore at low tide; there are even (very low) speed limits posted on the beach. Today, access by car is limited to portions of the island near the Bridge access and the causeway from Raheny.
Swimming
"Dollier" is historically a popular swimming spot but usage fell sharply as pollution rose in the 1980's. Later, Blue Flag status was obtained but in 2007, significant algae has developed on a large part of the seashore, causing the strand to lose its Blue Flag (2007).
Kite-surfing
A kite enthusiast enjoys good flying weather on Bull Island with Howth and the Sutton Martello tower in the background
Golf
The island has two golf courses, the more famous belonging to the Royal Dublin Golf Club, and the newer to St. Anne's Golf Club.
External links
★ UNESCO Biosphere Directory entry
★ Directory of Wetlands of International Importance: North Bull Island
★ Google Maps map of the island
★ Some wild flowers of Bull Island
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