Minaun Cliffs

Minaun rises to 466 metres immediately south-east of Keel on Achill Island, and its seaward face drops in cliffs of around four hundred metres to the Atlantic - among the higher sea cliffs in Ireland, though less visited than others because the view is not from a purpose-built platform. A narrow road climbs from the valley to a viewpoint near the top, where there is a telecommunications mast and a large cross, and from there the outlook covers Keel Strand and its lake, Trawmore, the Cathedral Rocks sea stacks below, Clare Island and Clew Bay to the south. Walking out to the cliff edge from the parking area is possible and entirely unfenced, on steep grass that becomes greasy in wet weather. The road up is single-track with passing places and is not suitable for large vehicles.

What you actually see

• The cliff face - around four hundred metres straight into the Atlantic.
• The viewpoint - Keel Strand, Trawmore and the lake laid out below.
• The Cathedral Rocks - sea stacks at the base of the cliffs.
• The southern outlook - Clare Island and Clew Bay on a clear day.

When to go

April to October. Cloud sits on the top frequently; the road is not worth driving in fog. Wind at the summit is stronger than in the valley by a wide margin.

Honest expectations

Entirely unfenced steep grass above a four-hundred-metre drop, slippery when wet. The access road is single-track and steep. Nothing at the top but a mast, a cross and a place to park.

Nearby

Keel and Keem Bay are west; the Atlantic Drive and Dooega are south.