All about Schull....

The Mizen Peninsula is home to a fascinating and rich profusion of

wildlife and plants. There are mountains and bogs, fields and

hedgerows, moorlands and wetlands, coastal cliffs and heaths, islands

and seashore, each containing a diverse range of species.

Otters thrive in the streams and along the shoreline. Bats, badgers,

foxes, stoats, rabbits and hares are just some of the mammals you may

happen upon after dark. on a boat trip you may spot dolphins, whales

or basking sharks, also seals, especially around Carthy's rocks, south of

the harbour.

Sea birds include Gannets diving from on high, guillemots, razorbills,

shearwaters and terns. on land, a walk anywhere should result in

spotting some of the full range of birds in the area. There is a fine bird

observatory on Cape Clear Island. A trip to the cliffs of Mizen Head

should result in the sighting of choughs, ravens and with luck, the

peregrine falcon.

Stroll along any roads and search out the abundance of wildflowers,

tall purple Foxgloves, delicate Montbretia, Primroses, Bluebells and

Marguerite Daisies. The fuchsia hedges, imported from South

America, are profuse with purple and red flowers. Heather shares the

hillsides with the blazing yellow Gorse, Lichens and Mosses spread

themselves over stones, while Ferns unfurl new leaves in damp shady

spots. Among the trees you will find Oak, Ash, Beech, Sycamore, Pine,

Spruce, Cedar and Cypress as well as the more exotic Cordyline Palm.

There are numerous gardens for the enthusiast to visit. Take a trip by

boat from Glengarriff to Garnish Island (Illnacullin), 37 acres of many

rare and tropical plants. Creagh Gardens, near Baltimore, is a quiet

and peaceful place with a lovingly maintained walled garden. LissArd

Gardens, near Skibbereen, offeres a water garden, a wild flower

meadow and a unique crater construction called Sky Garden. The West

Cork Garden Trail, a guide to public and private gardens, lists

pertinent information and is available locally.

You can see that whether you travel by boat, a car or a pair of wellies,

you should come in contact with some of the natural riche of this

peninsula. We hope you will be entranced and delighted by Nature's

display.