Malin Head (Cionn Mhálanna)
The northernmost point of the island of Ireland.
Malin Head, on the Inishowen Peninsula, is the most northerly tip of Ireland and a famous name from the shipping forecast. Its wild headland, watch tower and 'EIRE 80' stone sign look out over the open Atlantic.
At a glance
- Northernmost point of Ireland
- On the Inishowen Peninsula
- Known from the shipping forecast
In County Donegal
Malin Head is in County Donegal, Dún na nGall in Irish, which means “fort of the foreigners (the Vikings)”.
More in Donegal
- Gweedore Gaeltacht (Gaoth Dobhair): The largest Gaeltacht parish in Ireland, in northwest Donegal, and a stronghold of Ulster Irish and traditional music.
- Slieve League (Sliabh Liag): Among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, rising almost 600 metres from the Atlantic in County Donegal.
- Errigal (An Earagail): Donegal's highest peak, a quartzite cone that glows pink at sunset.
- Glenveagh National Park (Páirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha): A vast wilderness of mountains, lakes and a fairytale castle.
Other places of this kind
- The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
- Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
- The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
- Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
- The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig): A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.
- Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis): A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.
The Irish name
The Irish form of Malin Head is Cionn Mhálanna. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.