To the end of Ireland

The view west from Malin Head (c) Duncan Hutt

Coastal Heath on Malin Head (c) Duncan Hutt

The northernmost tip of Ireland is a well-known name to those who have listened to the shipping forecast.  Malin Head is a wild rocky end to the island with views southwest to other Donegal headlands and north to Scotland.  August proved to be a great time for a visit with the heathers in full bloom, ling (Calluna vulgaris), bell heather (Erica cinerea) and cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) were all in flower giving the area a strong honey aroma.  Small splashes of blue were patches of sheep’s bit (Jasione montana) or, on the wetter patches, devil’s bit scabious (Succisa pratensis).

Sheep’s bit (Jasione montana)
(c) Sally Hutt

Choughs on an isolated promontory
(c) Duncan Hutt

Lichens on Malin Head (c) Sally Hutt

It wasn’t a windy day on our visit but even so small clumps of foam from the sea were blowing up and over the cliffs.  This is a harsh place to live and on the rocks were those most hardy of organisms, lichens; the pale green spicky Ramalinas and the bright yellow Xanthorias the most prominent.  Another characteristic inhabitant put in a brief appearance too; choughs are a member of the crow family with bright red legs and red curved down beaks.  It’s not a common bird, restricted to the west coast on exposed headlands like Malin; it eats insects, in particular their larvae.

View east from Malin Head (c) Duncan Hutt