Croaghaun

Mountain in County Mayo, Ireland

Croaghaun

Location in Ireland

LocationCounty Mayo, IrelandParent rangeAchill IslandOSI/OSNI gridF553060

Croaghaun (Irish: Cruachán) is a mountain on Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland. At 688 metres (2,257 ft), it has the highest sea cliffs in Ireland^[2] as well as the third highest sea cliffs in Europe (after Hornelen, Norway and Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands).

Geography

Croaghaun is the most westerly peak of Achill Island, and its highest mountain. Its cliffs lie on the northern slope of the mountain. The cliffs at Croaghaun can only be seen by hiking around or to the summit of the mountain, or from the sea. They are part of a sequence of sheer rock faces which start south of Keem Bay and loop around the uninhabited north-west of the island, by Achill Head and Saddle Head, and east to Slievemore, occasionally dropping vertically into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Nature

The Croaghaun cliffs are home to two families of peregrine falcons (RTÉ, 2008). September and October are the best time to see the fastest creatures on Earth here, as they teach their young to fly. Metamorphic, quartz-laden gems may be observed, along with Mediterranean heathers and the waters of the Atlantic. It is common to see schools of bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks, once a source of revenue for Achill Island (BBC, 2009). Porpoises are found in large numbers. Orcas, humpback whales, and other whales have been sighted.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b "Achill & Corraun Area NW: Croaghaun Subarea". Mountainviews. Croaghaun.
^ Clarke, Harold (1970). Ireland in Color. New York: Viking Press, p. 108. ISBN 978-0-670-40093-5.
^ Majella Loftus (24 September 2008). "World's largest animal spotted off Achill Island". Western People. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2011. A RARE sighting of a blue whale, the planet's largest living animal, was recorded off Achill Island last week.

Mountains and hills of Great Britain and Ireland

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England and Wales (1964)
England (ceremonial)
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Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland county and provincial tops

v t e Most prominent mountains of Britain and Ireland (the P600s)
Northern Highlands (20)	Foinaven Ben Hee Ben Hope Ben Loyal Ben Klibreck Ben More Assynt Canisp Cùl Mòr Ben More Coigach Beinn Dearg Ben Wyvis An Teallach Slioch Sgùrr Mòr (Fannichs) Fionn Bheinn Beinn Alligin Beinn Eighe Liathach Beinn Bhàn Sgorr Ruadh
Western Highlands (20)	Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais Sgùrr na Lapaich Càrn Eige Beinn Fhada Sgùrr Fhuaran A' Chràlaig Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich Gleouraich Sgùrr nan Eugallt Ladhar Bheinn Sgùrr na Cìche Càrn Mòr Sròn a' Choire Ghairbh Sgùrr Thuilm Gaor Bheinn Rois-bheinn Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain Sgùrr Dhòmhnuill Garbh Bheinn Creach Bheinn
Central and Eastern Highlands (13)	Creag Meagaidh Ben Nevis Stob Coire Easain Binnein Mòr Chno Dearg Ben Alder Sgor nam Fiannaidh Beinn a' Bheithir Beinn Sgulaird Bidean nam Bian Ben Macdui Beinn a' Ghlò Lochnagar
Southern Highlands (15)	Meall a' Bhuiridh Ben Cruachan Schiehallion Beinn a' Chreachain Ben Lawers Ben Lui Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Beinn Ìme Beinn an Lochain Beinn Mhòr (Cowal) Doune Hill Ben More (Crianlarich) Ben Lomond Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) Ben Chonzie
Islands (13)	An Cliseam Beinn Mhòr (South Uist) The Storr Sgùrr Alasdair Blà Bheinn Beinn na Caillich Sgùrr na Coinnich Askival Ben More (Mull) Dùn da Ghaoithe Beinn an Òir Goat Fell Snaefell
Scottish Lowlands, England and Wales (13)	Merrick Broad Law Scafell Pike Helvellyn Skiddaw Cross Fell Snowdon Glyder Fawr Carnedd Llewelyn Aran Fawddwy Cadair Idris Pen y Fan Waun Fach
Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland (25)	Carrauntoohil Mount Brandon Lugnaquilla Galtymore Baurtregaum Slieve Donard Mweelrea Nephin Mount Leinster Knockmealdown Fauscoum Barrclashcame Croagh Patrick Errigal Binn Bhan Slieve Carr Slievenamon Knockboy Binn idir an Dá Log Ben Gorm Keeper Hill Croaghaun Maumtrasna Cuilcagh Slieve Snaght

Mountains and hills of Connacht

List of mountains in Ireland

Achill Island

Croaghaun
Slievemore

Barrclashcame

Benna Beola

Twelve Bens	Benbaun Benbrack Benbreen Bencollaghduff Bencorr Bencullagh Benfree Benglenisky Bengower Benlettery Derryclare Muckanaght
Others	Diamond Hill Tully Mountain
Garraun group	Benchoona Doughruagh Garraun