Aughinish, County Limerick facts for kids
As seen from Kildysart.
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Ireland
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Aughinish is a special place in County Limerick, Ireland. It used to be an island. Now, it's connected to the mainland and is a peninsula. You can find it in the River Shannon estuary, close to a town called Foynes.
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Aughinish: From Island to Peninsula
Aughinish was once a true island. Over time, it became connected to the land. This makes it a peninsula today. It sits right in the wide mouth of the River Shannon. This river is one of the longest in Ireland.
Europe's Largest Alumina Factory
A huge factory called Rusal Aughinish is located here. It is the biggest factory in Europe that refines a material called bauxite. Bauxite is a rock that contains aluminium. The factory turns bauxite into something called alumina. Alumina is a white powder. It is then sent to other places to be made into aluminium metal.
How the Factory Works
The factory has a special deep-water dock. This dock is in the River Shannon. Big ships bring bauxite from countries like Guinea and Brazil. After the factory makes alumina, other ships take it away. This alumina is then used to create aluminium metal. Aluminium is used for many things, like soda cans and airplane parts.
A Haven for Butterflies
Even though a large factory is on Aughinish, there's also a peaceful spot. It is home to Ireland's very first butterfly sanctuary. This special place is found in an old, unused quarry. It shows how nature can thrive even near industry. It's a great example of protecting wildlife.
