Saltee Islands facts for kids
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Native name:
Na Sailtí
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Great Saltee, the larger of the two islands
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Major islands | Great Saltee, Little Saltee |
| Area | 1.2 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| County | Wexford |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 (2011) |
The Saltee Islands (in Irish: Na Sailtí) are two small islands located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) off the southern coast of County Wexford in Ireland. These islands are called Great Saltee and Little Saltee. Great Saltee is larger, covering 89 hectares (about 220 acres), while Little Saltee is 37 hectares (about 91 acres). Together, they cover an area of 1.2 square kilometers.
Since the early 1900s, very few people have lived on the islands. They have been privately owned by the Neale family since 1943. According to records from 2011, only two people lived there.
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Why are the Saltee Islands Protected?
The Saltee Islands are a very important place for wildlife, especially birds and seals. Because of this, they have special protection to keep their natural habitats safe.
A Home for Many Birds
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Many different types of seabirds come to the islands to breed and raise their young. These include:
- Fulmars
- Gannets
- Shags
- Kittiwakes
- Guillemots
- Razorbills
- Puffins
To protect these birds, the area around both islands, extending about 500 meters (1,640 feet) offshore, has been made a Special Protection Area. This means it's a safe zone specifically for the birds.
A Safe Place for Seals and Sea Life
The islands are also at the center of a larger protected area called a Special Area of Conservation. This area stretches from the islands all the way to the mainland coastline near Kilmore Quay. This conservation area protects several important things:
- Mud and sand flats: These are found along the mainland coast and near Little Saltee.
- Shallow inlets and bays: Located to the west of a line connecting Kilmore Quay and Great Saltee.
- Reefs: Underwater rock formations found throughout the entire area.
- Sea cliffs: The vegetated cliffs that surround both islands.
- Sea caves: Along the south coast of Great Saltee.
- Grey seal habitat: The entire area is important for grey seals, especially the islands themselves, which are key sites for seals to breed, rest, and shed their fur.
What are the Saltee Islands Made Of?
The islands are built on very old rock, called Pre-Cambrian bedrock. This rock is between 600 million and 2 billion years old! The highest point on the Saltees is South Summit on Great Saltee, which is 60 meters (198 feet) high.
The waters around the islands can be very dangerous for ships. Because of the many shipwrecks that have happened there, the area is sometimes called the "Graveyard of a Thousand Ships." The islands are seen as "tombstones" marking these lost vessels.
See also
