Mizen Head

Mizen Head Signal Station is located at the end of the Kilmore Peninsula the utmost south-western point of Ireland. This is one of the most dramatic, stunning & breathtaking places I have seen in Ireland and the weather the day we visited could not have been more perfect. 

This is the sort of place you have to be ‘in the area’ to visit.  It’s not the sort of place you can decide on a whim to explore. After driving Ireland for the past year, I’ve discovered anytime you drive out to the end of one of the peninsula’s you must plan for 4-5 hours round-trip driving time. The roads tend to get smaller and narrower the further out you go. So, after a few hours of winding roads, some looking more like someone’s driveway than a public road, I was astonished to find the parking lot full of cars and even some smaller motor homes.  Obviously more crazy folks like us that want to discover the best of what Ireland has to offer. 

They have a small gift store, cafe and educations/history area to walk through before you buy your ticket and head out to the cliffs. 

The cliffs here rise high above the Atlantic Ocean and are glorious. They say they are so dramatic because it’s where the currents meet up from the west & south coasts, the storms pound the land and years of shifting helped in the formation as well.  

The lighthouse is now automated as most are, but for years the lighthouse keepers lived and worked on the peninsula, under all conditions of weather. Mizen head barely touches the mainland and various bridges have been constructed over the years for keeper access. 

Fortunately for us the ‘new’ bridge (reconstructed replica in its original design from the early 1900’s) opened to the public in 2009. Along with the bridge, they have created numerous viewing platforms all along the cliffs for your viewing (and picture taking) pleasure.  Their home page states “Enjoy the exhilaration of the walk down the cliffs!”  Ugh. 

Even though the bridge spans high above the gorge, about 150 feet, you still have to walk down to get to it and it’s a fairly steep slope too.   Oh, but so well worth the hike.  From each platform you are treated with another spectacular view of the surrounding cliffs. 

Once across the bridge we hiked up to yet another platform and could see from Dunlough bay to Sheep’s head to the Beara Peninsula, maybe even Dursey Island way off in the distance. Breath taking. Coming back up we opted to take the famous 99 steps – which is one way (UP).  We stopped at the café for tea/coffee & a few more pictures. 

This is definitely lands end, Irish style. 

PHOTO ALBUM