Dunmore Head facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dunmore Head
An Dún Mór
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| Etymology: Irish dún mór, "great hillfort" | |
 Dunmore Head
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| County | Kerry |
Dunmore Head (called An Dún Mór in Irish) is a famous piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It's found at the very western edge of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. This area is known for its amazing views and interesting history.
Contents
What is Dunmore Head?
Dunmore Head is a type of landform called a promontory. This means it's a high point of land or rock that reaches out into the sea. It's part of a region in southwest County Kerry called Corca Dhuibhne.
Where is Dunmore Head located?
This special spot is the westernmost point of mainland Ireland. It is also one of the westernmost points of Europe. Imagine standing there and looking out at the vast Atlantic Ocean!
What is the geology of Dunmore Head?
The rocks at Dunmore Head are very old. They were formed during the Devonian period, which was about 419 to 359 million years ago! These rocks are mostly a type of sandstone called the Eask Sandstone Formation. People often call these rocks the Old Red Sandstone because of their color. You can see how the layers of rock tilt steeply, showing how they were pushed and folded over millions of years.
What happened at Dunmore Head?
Dunmore Head has seen some dramatic events. On March 11, 1982, a Spanish container ship called the MV Ranga got into trouble near Dunmore Head. The ship lost power during a big storm and ended up getting wrecked close to a place called Slea Head. This event shows how powerful the sea can be in this exposed location.
