Saltee Islands

Just off the coast of County Wexford lies a jewel of Irish conservation: the Saltee Islands. The Saltees are more than just a picturesque landmark; they are the epicenter of a vast, protected coastal realm stretching from Kilmore Quay’s eastern edge, encompassing the unique glacial moraine known as St. Patrick’s Bridge, and extending all the way to Ballyhealy. This entire region is safeguarded as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and the islands themselves are additionally classified as a Special Protected Area (SPA), highlighting their immense ecological importance.

The Saltee Islands are a wildlife haven, hosting an internationally important assembly of over 20,000 breeding seabirds from up to 12 species, alongside significant populations of marine mammals. This richness is why the islands were so valued by the late Michael Neale, “Prince Michael I,” who acquired Great Saltee in 1943 with the vision of establishing a bird sanctuary—a mission that requires the continued support of the owners, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), BirdWatch Ireland, and many university researchers.

Little Saltee is a fascinating contrast to the better-known Great Saltee, maintaining a private, agricultural, and wildlife-focused existence under the ownership of the Grattan-Bellew family.

Life on the Cliffs and in the Waves

During the breeding season (April to August), the islands’ cliffs erupt with life. The star is our beloved Puffin, but they share the sanctuary with the imposing Gannet, whose colony here is one of Ireland’s largest. The air is filled with the calls of Kittiwake, and the ledges are crammed with Guillemot and Razorbill. Look closer, and you might spot the elusive, rare Chough or the mighty Peregrine Falcon. Key to the island’s health is the burrow-nesting Manx Shearwater, an oceanic bird that only returns to land after dark.

Under the SAC designation, the crucial non-bird life is protected, including the island’s vital breeding and haul-out site for the Grey Seal. Pups are born here during the autumn pupping season. The surrounding rich waters occasionally reveal Risso’s Dolphins and even rare visitors like the enormous Basking Shark.

The Rat War: A Victory Against the Greatest Threat 

The history of conservation here is a story of struggle and resilience. By 2017, the Puffin population on Great Saltee had collapsed to a mere 120 pairs from an estimated 1,522 in 2000. The primary culprit? The invasive Brown Rat.

Rodents are known as the “greatest threat to island biodiversity,” as they relentlessly predate on the eggs and young chicks of ground-nesting seabirds like the Puffin, whose chosen nesting ground on sloping terrain left them vulnerable. 

In a critical turning point, the NPWS successfully executed a rat eradication project in the winter of 2020. This timing was strategic: by undertaking the project when the rats’ natural food supply was at its lowest, the likelihood of them consuming poisoned baits in tamper-proof stations was maximized. The initiative was a triumph, and Puffin numbers have since begun to increase.

Learn more about rodent eradication in this article on the Society for Conservation Biology website at this link: Invasive Rodent Eradication on Islands

The Next Chapter: Guardianship in the Face of New Threats 

With the predator eliminated, the NPWS—the body responsible for enforcing EU Directives and overseeing conservation—quickly realized that the threat had shifted. Increased visitor numbers and recreational activity had become the new significant pressure on nesting seabirds. Parent birds, particularly vulnerable Puffins and Gannets, are easily spooked and may flee their nests, leaving their young exposed to predatory gulls or the elements. As a direct response to the new challenges of human disturbance, the NPWS placed Seabird Wardens on Great Saltee Island in May 2025. This dedicated team is tasked with educating visitors, raising awareness about sensitive nesting areas, and encouraging safe distances, giving the recovering seabird populations the best possible chance to raise their young. 

But at sea, wildlife faces profound challenges from the shifting planet. Warming waters are causing the decline and redistribution of key prey fish like sandeels, leading to severe food shortages for breeding seabirds and lower chick survival. Increased intensity of storms is directly causing high mortality for seabird chicks and Grey Seal pups due to nest/burrow flooding and physical trauma.

The story of the Saltee Islands is a powerful, ongoing reminder that conservation requires not just scientific intervention, but continuous, active guardianship from the NPWS, researchers like those at BirdWatch Ireland, and every visitor who sets foot on this wild sanctuary.

 Learn more about the Seabird Wardens project at this link:
NPWS Press Release: New Conservation project to protect nesting seabirds on the Great Saltee Island, Wexford, Friday, August 1, 2025

How can you help preserve this sanctuary on your visit?

The Neale family kindly welcomes day-visitors to Great Saltee. Your visit is a privilege. Helping to preserve this unique environment is crucial. By following the guidelines below, you directly contribute to the safety of the wildlife and the long-term future of the island.

1. No Camping or Fires: Overnight stays and the lighting of fires are strictly prohibited at all times.
2. Afford Privacy to the Owners: Please respect the privacy of the Neale family and do not approach the house (which is near the landing area). The family is in residence when the flag is flying.
3. No Dogs or Drones: To protect the vulnerable bird populations, dogs and drones are strictly forbidden on the island.
4. Stick to the Paths: The paths are in place to prevent accidental trampling of nesting burrows, particularly the Puffin burrows. Please stay on designated trails.
5. Maintain a Safe Distance: Do not approach nesting birds closer than 6 metres (20 feet). Approaching too closely causes distress and can lead to the birds abandoning their eggs or chicks, leaving them vulnerable to gulls.
6. Use Your Lens, Not Your Feet: If you are a photographer, bring a long zoom lens. Do not try to get a close-up picture with a phone or standard camera by moving off the path.
7. Pack Out All Litter: Whatever you bring onto the island—including all food wrappers, bottles, and biodegradable waste—must be taken back to the mainland with you.
8. Be Mindful of the Terrain: The ground is uneven, and near the cliffs, the ground can be unsteady. Pay careful attention to safety signs and cliff edges.

By following these simple requests, you ensure that the Great Saltee Islands remain a safe, thriving habitat for its unique wildlife and a welcoming place for responsible visitors.