Sandstone Locations in Ireland: Coastal Cliffs to Mountain Outcrops

Ireland's sandstone formations span multiple geological periods (Devonian, Carboniferous, Triassic) and create iconic landscapes:

County Donegal

• Slieve League (601m): Europe's highest sea cliffs; Devonian sandstone
• Malin Head: Ireland's northernmost point; quartzite/sandstone cliffs
• Horn Head: Dunfanaghy; folded red sandstone

County Wicklow

• Wicklow Mountains: Old Red Sandstone (Devonian) in northern/central peaks
• Glen of the Downs (Delgany): Scenic sandstone gorge
• Bray Head: Cambrian quartzite/sandstone coastal cliffs

County Kerry

• Dingle Peninsula: Devonian Old Red Sandstone ridges (Brandon Mountain, 952m)
• Slea Head Drive: Dramatic coastal sandstone cliffs
• Blasket Islands: Sandstone/mudstone sequences

County Clare

• Cliffs of Moher (214m): Flaggy sandstone/shale (Carboniferous); 1.5M visitors/yr
• Loop Head: Sandstone sea stacks, arches
• Burren margins: Sandstone/shale overlying limestone

County Galway

• Inishbofin: Devonian sandstone cliffs, sea caves
• Connemara: Dalradian metasandstone (quartzite) — metamorphosed

County Mayo

• Céide Fields: Neolithic field walls built from local sandstone (5,500 yr BP)
• Downpatrick Head: Sea stack (Dún Briste) — layered sandstone

Geological Note

Irish "Old Red Sandstone" (Devonian, 419–359 Ma) ≠ British ORS; distinct basins. Carboniferous sandstones (Millstone Grit) in Leinster. Triassic (New Red Sandstone) in offshore basins only.