Ireland’s Coastline: Exploring Its Nature and Heritage

Over 7500km long, the Irish coast is a complex fringe where land and sea meet. No part of Ireland is more than 100km from the coast and over half the population live within 10km of it. Over the millennia, the inhabitants of this island have carved out a living from its seas and shores as much as from its land. Consequently, Ireland’s people, life, literature and drama are strongly influenced by the sea, and human activity along the coastline has reflected this through the ages. This lavishly-illustrated book provides a comprehensive account of the natural and human history of the Irish coastline, together with aerial views and underwater photography of a largely unseen landscape. It also includes a set of colour maps which are easy-to-read guides to tourism and leisure attractions. Descriptions of whaling, hunting seabirds and fishing with traditional boats serve to illustrate the rich coastline culture that exists here, as well as keeping us in touch with our maritime roots.