Data Zone
Country/territory: Ireland
IBA criteria met: B1iii, B2 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,141 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
Clare Island is situated at the entrance of Clew Bay, 5 km from the mainland in County Mayo. The sea cliffs extend for 8 km along the north-western side of the island; the site boundary runs parallel to, and 100 m inland from, the cliff-edge.
Key biodiversity
The cliffs hold notable seabird colonies, including one of the largest colonies of Fulmarus glacialis (1,898 pairs, 1990) in Ireland, and nationally important numbers of Larus argentatus (min. 550 pairs, 1987) and Rissa tridactyla (1,712 pairs, 1990). This is also a notable breeding site for Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Clare Island cliffs (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/clare-island-cliffs-iba-ireland on 22/11/2024.