TEARAGHT ISLAND

'An Tiaracht' (anglicised as 'The Tearaght', 'Inishtearaght' or 'Tearaght Island') is an uninhabited steep rocky island situated to the west of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. It is the westernmost part of the Blasket Islands and also the westernmost point of Ireland. It lies at longitude 10°40' west.
An Tiaracht is about a kilometre from east to west, and 500 metres from north to south. The island is divided into two sections, a larger eastern part (200 metres high) and a western part that rises to 116 metres. A narrow neck of rock, with a natural tunnel through it, joins the two parts.
An Tiaracht, like the other Blasket Islands, holds large numbers of seabirds, with internationally important populations of Manx shearwater and European storm-petrel. Leach's storm-petrels have also been found there (but not proved to be breeding) in recent years. The number of auks, especially puffins, has apparently fluctuated greatly, though early records are not always reliable.
A lighthouse was established on the island in 1870, and automated in 1988. The lighthouse, maintained by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, is 84 metres above high water.

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External links

See also

★ Lighthouses in Ireland

★ Extreme points of Europe

External links

★ Picture of lighthouse