Islands of Ireland: Gulls, seals — and maybe fairies — at County Cork's Sheelane Island

There is a noticeable swell on the reefs around Sheelane Island, but that doesn't bother the harbour seals which pop up here regularly

Sheelane Island, near Glengarriff, County Cork. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

On the road west from Glengarriff, County Cork, a view suddenly opens up that is the rival of any in the country. As the road bends to the north a spectacular view of Bantry Bay and the opposite peninsula of Sheep’s Head open up. And just before the road plunges, a couple of islands can be spotted far below the road which in turn is overshadowed by Sugarloaf mountain.

The westernmost is Garinish West island, not to be confused with the famous Garinish in Glengarriff Harbour a few kilometres to the west. It is also not to be confused with the not-so barren Sheelane Island, which lies a little to the east of it and a little further out in Bantry Bay.