Killala Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killala Bay |
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 Killala Bay
Location in Ireland
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| Location | County Mayo |
| Coordinates | 54°15′N 9°08′W / 54.250°N 9.133°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. width | 5.5 miles (8.9 km) |
| Surface area | 1,061 hectares (10.61 km2) |
| Max. depth | 36 metres (20 fathoms) |
| Settlements | Killala |
| Official name: Killala Bay/Moy Estuary | |
| Designated: | 7 June 1996 |
| Reference #: | 843 |
Killala Bay (which is Cuan Chill Ala in Irish) is a beautiful bay on the west coast of Ireland. It sits between County Mayo and County Sligo. This bay is special because it's where the River Moy meets the sea. This meeting point is called an estuary. The village of Killala is located at the southwest part of the bay.
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Exploring Killala Bay's Geography
Killala Bay is found on the western side of Ireland. It stretches between Kilcummin Head on the west and Lenadoon Point on the east. The River Moy flows into the bay, forming its estuary. You can find the village of Killala at the bay's southwest corner. In the middle of the bay, there is an island called Bartragh Island.
Water Features of the Bay
Killala Bay is like a wide part of the River Moy's estuary. It has deep waters close to the shore. These deep waters are part of the continental shelf, which is the edge of a continent that is under the ocean. The bay covers a total area of about 10.61 square kilometers (or 1061 hectares). It is about 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) wide. The deepest part of the bay goes down about 36 meters (118 feet).
The middle of Killala Bay is usually safe for boats. However, it's important to be careful when you are closer to the shoreline.
The Shoreline of Killala Bay
The start of Killala Bay is often considered to be Kilcummin Head. This headland is also known as Benwee Head. This means that nearby areas like Lackan Bay and Creevagh Head are not part of Killala Bay itself. South of Kilcummin Head, you'll find the village of Kilcummin.
If you travel around the bay in a counter-clockwise direction, you would pass by Killala village. Then you would see where the River Moy flows in. After that, you would reach Enniscrone and Pollacheeny Harbour, before arriving at Lenadoon Point.
Fun Activities at Killala Bay
Killala Bay is a fantastic spot for fishing! This is because the deep waters of the continental shelf are very close to the shore. This means you can catch many different types of fish. You can fish from rocks, from the beach, or even go out on a boat to catch deep-water species. Because the bay is sheltered, you can also find tasty cockles here.
Ross Strand, which is a beach near Killala village, is a special place. It has been given a Blue Flag award. This means it's a very clean and safe beach for swimming and enjoying the outdoors!
