Blasket Islands (593)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Blasket Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.0833, Longitude: -10.5833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 183
Area of KBA (km2): 7.77855
Protected area coverage (%): 99.92
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This is the largest group of islands on the south-west coast, lying a few kilometres off the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry. The group includes Great Blasket Island, with steep cliffs on its northern side, and the five smaller, exposed rocky islands of Inistooskert, Inisvickillaun, Inisnabro, Tearaght and Beginish. Great Blasket Island was once inhabited and now has a visitor centre at its northern end. A small herd of feral red deer Cervus elaphus are present on Inishvickillaun. The islands are visited by tourists.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This site is of particular importance for its seabird colonies. Additional species occurring in numbers of national importance are Fulmarus glacialis (2,200 pairs, 1988), Rissa tridactyla (750 pairs, 1988) and Alca torda (450 birds, 1988).
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (80%) | tourism/recreation (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance from visitors to Great Blasket is a possible threat. However, isolation protects the islands from most threats.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |