Ireland's Eye

About

Ireland's Eye (Irish: Inis Mac Neasáin) is a small long-uninhabited island off the coast of County Dublin, Ireland. In ancient times it was called 'Adros' by Ptolemy, 'Adrea Deserta' by Pliny, and 'Andros' and 'Edria' by other early navigators. Colloquially called "the Eye", the island is situated directly north of Howth village and harbour and is easily reached by regular seasonal tourist boats, which both circumnavigate it and drop off day trippers. There is a yacht anchorage on its north side, and kayakers can also land.

The island is formed from quartzite, greywacke, and some sandstone, and has soils based on glacial drift. It is home to nationally significant bird populations, notably of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, cormorants, and gulls, as well as modest numbers of puffins and peregrine falcons. There is a colony of grey seals, the surrounding waters also host harbour seals and harbour porpoise, while on land there are rats and rabbits. There is a range of plants, including some rare species and some specific to vegetated cliffs. The island has been essentially uninhabited for centuries but holds the ruins of an early church and a Martello tower.