Above: West Coast in Ireland

Bantry Bay, on the west coast, is one of the finest harbours in Europe. This inlet, and also Kenmare Bay and Dingle Bay, stretch far into the land, and are enclosed by lofty mountains. The Shannon mouth receives the water of the largest river-basin in Ireland). Limerick is its chief port.

Galway Bay and Clew Bay have herring-fisheries, and are studded with islands. Sligo Bay contains the greatest oyster-beds on the Irish coast. In this bay three ships of the Spanish Armada, sent by Philip of Spain against Queen Elizabeth, were stranded in 1588.