The Bull Island.
A little jewel in Dublin Bay.
Proinsias Mac an Bheatha
A Pintail Duck near the Bull Island causeway.
A Bee Orchid which flowers in June
Dubliners are so lucky to have this beautiful island, right on their doorstep. The Bull Island is right in the heart of Dublin Bay, and has grown and expanded there over the last 200 years. The north wall of Dublin port completed in 1825, has allowed sand to be deposited on its north side, and this sand has expanded today to an become an island 5km in length, and a 1km in width.
Up to 2 million people visit it each year for recreation and relaxation. There are two golf courses on the island. Visitors also partake in windsurfing, boating, swimming, and of course walking.
Brent Geese flying over the Bull Island
It is a haven for wildlife with thousands of wintering birds using it as a source of food and shelter. The island is famous for the visiting Brent Goose, as well as Pintail and Wigeon Duck. Also thousands of waders such as Godwit, Knot and Dunlin spend the winter feeding on the invertebrates, found in the rich mudflats. Up to 7,000 Brent Geese use the island for feeding and roosting between September and April each year. When food runs short for them on the island they will fly off to the city’s parks and playing fields in order to graze on the grass. Summer visiting birds also use the island to breed, and raise their young, before returning to the southern hemisphere during our winter. Examples such as the Tern, and Sedge Warbler nest close to or on the island.
Early Sand grass found only on the island and one other location in Ireland
Over the last hundred years Dublin has grown and expanded into the surrounding countryside. The flora of the countryside disappeared with the expanding urban areas, but it survived on the Bull Island. Today a very rich variety of flora now survives on the island. The island has 8 varieties of orchid as well as many rare species of flora that have become threatened with extinction in the rest of the country. One example is Early Sand Grass, that is found at only two locations in Ireland, Baltimore in west Cork, and the Bull Island.
The Bull Island was designated a Bird Sanctuary as far back as 1931. Since then it has been given a UNESCO, Biosphere designation, and EU protection as a Special Area of Conservation. Even with all these protections there are still threats to the island’s survival as a sanctuary for wildlife. Efforts have been made to lessen the impact of humans and dogs on the island and its wildlife. Most of the beach area is now car free. Dogs are allowed off the lead only on certain parts of the beach. Humans and dogs are banned from the salt marsh areas where the island’s birds feed and roost. Also no humans or dogs are allowed at the northern tip of the island, in order to allow the seal population to come ashore and rest on the beach there.
Seals resting at the north end of the Bull Island
Dublin City Council are constantly cleaning the litter and debris from the island. They also carry out conservation work such as removing the invasive Sea buckthorn from spreading and overwhelming the island’s native flora. 5 rangers have been employed to keep an eye on, and enforce the environmental rules. A volunteer group named the, Bull Island Action Group do monthly clean ups. All these efforts help to keep the island clean and safe, for the millions of visitors who come to spend leisure time there.
The Island can be reached from the city centre by bus route 130, through Clontarf, or the H6 through Raheny. One can also use the DART and alight at Raheny station.
So for your visit remember….
‘Take only memories, leave only footprints’
‘Ná tóg ach cuimhní, fág lorg na coise amháin’
Proinsias Mac an Bheatha is the author of The Wildlife of Bull Island