Downpatrick Head

Downpatrick Head is a headland on the Atlantic coast of County Mayo, Ireland, about 5 to 6 km north of Ballycastle and part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Just offshore stands the sea stack Dún Briste (“broken fort”): 45 m high, 63 m long and 23 m wide. It is believed to have broken away from the mainland in 1393, when an arch linking it to the land collapsed in rough seas. Researchers who landed on the stack by helicopter found the remains of stone buildings, which suggest that it was once part of the mainland. The rock, made up of limestone, sandstone and shale, was laid down about 350 million years ago.

On the headland itself you can see the ruins of a church, a stone cross and a holy well, all associated with St Patrick. There is also the Poll na Seantainne blowhole, a Second World War lookout post and the stone sign “ÉIRE 64”, which told pilots they were flying over Ireland. As a road-trip stop, the visit combines well with the nearby Céide Fields near Ballycastle. Ireland.com advises against climbing the stack, so stick to the walk across the headland.