Ireland's largest sea arch — a near-perfect 20 m quartzite span carved by Atlantic storms off the Fanad Peninsula, now reached by a short new cliff path.
Ireland's largest sea arch: a near-perfect 20 m span of Precambrian quartzite cut through an isolated stack and left standing in the Atlantic off the Fanad headland. View it from the low cliff above or the rocky shore below.
A 500 m pathway opened in April 2022 runs from the road down to the water, replacing the old rock-face scramble. From the car park it is a 10-25 minute walk, part of it a steep descent to the shore.
At low tide, pick your way along the rocks to the caves and rock pools below the cliffs, and hunt the pebble beach for sea-worn stones and sea glass. Wear proper shoes - the rocks are slippery.
One of Ireland's most photogenic coastal features. Shoot from above the headland with a wide-angle lens, at sunrise or in morning light; the dark skies also suit night shots.
Fanad Head Lighthouse is 2 km away and Portsalon - with a cafe, bar and shop by the stone pier - is about 15 minutes by car. On clear days you can see Dunree Fort, Malin Head and Leenakeel Bay.
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