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These islands are
privately owned by the Neale family. We have no connection or affiliation whatsoever with any ferry operation bringing visitors here. Furthermore, the owners do not - and never have - received any payment, income, or benefit of any kind from visitors travelling to or visiting the island.
The Saltee Islands, St. George's
Channel consisting of the
Great and Little Saltee, are situated
approximately 5 kilometers off the coast of Kilmore Quay
Co.Wexford.
The Great Saltee is a haven
for sea birds, from
Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also
lie on an important migratory route and a popular
stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants. The Great
Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of
the very few in eastern Ireland. Up to 120 animals are
present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced
annually.
They are among the
ancient islands of Europe, based on Pre-Cambrian bedrock
i.e. between 600 and 2000 million years old.
Archaeological evidence
show that Neolithic man,
early Christian hermits, Vikings,
Normans and medieval monks inhabited the islands. Pirates from
Spain, France, North Africa and America plundered the busy
merchant ships within sight of the islands. And in the days
of sail the waters around the islands became known as " the
graveyard of a thousand ships" and the islands their
tombstones, so dangerous was the area to shipping.
If
the Saltees had any other name before their present title,
it has been long lost. As for the origin of the name there
are two possible theories, Norse or of Old or Middle English
derivation. However the name suggests a Norse origin (Salt
ey - salt island) derived from the phenomenon of the salty
spray which sweeps across the islands at times of high winds
and waves, especially during the winter.
In
December 1943 they were purchased privately by the
late Prince Michael the First. Died in 1998, he is
buried in the family vault in Bannow Bay, Co.Wexford.
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