Coming in to Ballybunion along the south trail of The Wild Atlantic Way, you can't miss the Bromore Cliffs. This area of scenic beauty is also included in The Lower Shannon SAC (Special Area of Conservation), and is considered one of the prime wildlife areas in the country.
Bromore is, quite simply, spectacular. The sheer 180 foot cliffs have been sculpted by nature over thousands of years. Winter storms and the wild Atlantic waves have formed headlands, bays and carved deep caves at sea level, some of which later progressed to become arches and sea stacks.
Minerals seeping through the layers of flagstone that form Bromore Cliffs give them their unusual, ever-changing colours. The crevices and narrow ledges are welcome homes to a diversity of wildlife. Falcons, ravens, fulmars, guillemots, cormorants and rock doves are just some of the bird-life inhabiting this area. The Atlantic waters below are inhabited by Atlantic Grey Seals, Bottlenose Dolphins and an occasional Sea Otter.
The walk along the cliff top is safe, easy, well fenced and suitable for all ages (of course children must be supervised). The natural vegetation on the cliff top is wind and salt tolerant. Grasses, sea pinks, kidney vetches, sheepsbit, sea asters and some orchids are all in full bloom in early summer. This ungrazed cliff top is habitat to a myriad of insects, butterflies and wild honey bees. The deep dry springy carpet is a haven for small mammals such as the field mouse and the pygmy shrew. In the fields and ditches near the cliffs you'll hear the songs of stonechats, pipits, larks and linnets.
