Bull Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Bull Island (disambiguation).
Bull Island or North Bull Island is an island located in Dublin Bay in Ireland, about 5 km long and 800 m wide, lying roughly parallel to the shore. It is less than two centuries old, having been formed by sand building up after the North Bull Wall was completed in the early 19th century to keep clear the channel to Dublin Port. The island is connected to the mainland by a wooden road bridge at the southern (Clontarf) end, and by a causeway approximately halfway along.
It is predicted that within the next half-century continued deposition will lead to Bull Island's merging with the mainland at Sutton.
Bird life on the island has been protected by legislation since the 1930s, and it was designated a national nature reserve in 1988. It is listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve. Bird species on the island include Pale-bellied Brent Goose, curlews, oystercatchers, grey plovers and shovelers.
The island is also home to the bee, pyramidal and common spotted orchids.
As well as two golf courses (the Royal Dublin and St. Anne's), the island also has an interpretive centre. Dollymount Strand on the island is a popular walking and recreational area for Dubliners.
In recent years Bull Island has also become popular with kite-surfers, with a declared kitesurfing launch area. The shallow water and long stretch of straight beach allows for safe kite-surfing. This has encouraged many beginners to take up the sport on the island.
