Bray Head [Foiltagarriff] [Ceann Bhreagha]

About Bray Head [Foiltagarriff] [Ceann Bhreagha]

Occupying the western tip of Valentia Island, this dramatic headland offers a straightforward ascent on a clear track. Despite its modest height, the summit feels significantly more exposed than its 239 metres suggest, providing an unparalleled vantage point for the Skellig Islands and the rugged coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Ceann Bhreagha translates from Irish as 'Fine Head,' while Foiltagarriff refers to the 'Rough Cliffs' that drop precipitously into the Atlantic on the northern side of the headland.
• •The summit is crowned by a ruined signal tower built in 1815 during the Napoleonic Wars to guard against French invasion; it later served as a Lloyd’s signal station and a World War II lookout post.
• •On a clear day, the view southwest is dominated by the sharp, jagged peaks of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig rising from the ocean, while the Blasket Islands are often visible to the north across Dingle Bay.
• •This hill is classified as a Marilyn, a status it earns by being the highest point on Valentia Island with enough prominence to stand distinct from the Iveragh mainland.
• •If the wind is blowing from the west, the ruined signal tower provides the only reliable shelter for miles, though you may find yourself sharing it with local sheep who discovered the trick long before you did.