The Stags of Broadhaven are large rocky sea stacks rising from the blue ocean under a cloudy sky.
The Stags of Broadhaven are sea stacks near Benwee Head on the Wild Atlantic Way. Gareth McCormack/garethmccormack

Stags of Broadhaven

📍 Off Benwee Head, Mayo

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 24 June 2026

Overview

The Stags of Broadhaven (Irish: Na Stácaí) dominate the horizon off North Mayo’s rugged coastline. These five steep-sided sea stacks rise nearly 100 metres from the Atlantic, offering a remote sanctuary for seabirds and a world-class playground for kayakers, climbers, and divers. Located about 2.5 kilometres north of Benwee Head, the islands are accessible only by water, preserving their wild character and uninhabited status.

The Five Stacks

The archipelago comprises five distinct islands, each with its own geological character and Irish name:

  • Teach Dónal Ó Cléirigh: The central and highest stack at 97 metres.
  • Teach Mór: The second highest at 93 metres.
  • An Teach Beag: Standing at 71 metres, this island is dramatically bisected by a natural east-to-west sea tunnel.
  • An t-Oighean: Rises to 78 metres.
  • Carraig na Faola: The smallest stack, ranging from 30 to 45 metres.

Nearby Kid Island lies further east in the bay but is not part of the Stags group.

Geology

The stacks are composed of semi-pelitic schist, a hard metamorphic rock that resists erosion and has given the islands their sheer, jagged faces. Over millennia, relentless Atlantic wave action has sculpted the cliffs, creating the dramatic tunnel through An Teach Beag and a series of natural sea arches on the other stacks. This distinctive rock type is locally referred to as “Stags of Broadhaven Schist”.

Adventure on the Water

Kayaking is the premier way to experience the Stags. A typical expedition launches from Portacloy Harbour, involving a 7-kilometre round-trip passage. The silence of the open water gives way to the roar of Atlantic swells as paddlers navigate the narrow channels between the stacks. These constrictions amplify wave action, making the approach challenging and requiring experienced sea kayakers.

Landing on the islands often demands a swim ashore due to the sheer rock faces and tidal conditions. Once on the summit, the views stretch across the blanket bog landscape of Erris to the open Atlantic. The islands also attract rock climbers drawn to the schist faces, which offer solid holds and dramatic exposure. Divers explore the underwater cave systems and nutrient-rich waters that teem with rare marine life.

Wildlife and Conservation

The Stags of Broadhaven are designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA, Site Code 004072) managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) due to their vital role in seabird conservation. The islands host one of Ireland’s most significant seabird colonies, including the only known breeding site in Ireland for the Leach’s Storm Petrel.

Key breeding species include:

  • Leach’s Storm Petrel: Over 300 occupied sites.
  • Storm Petrel: Nearly 2,000 occupied sites.
  • Puffin: Approximately 1,000 sites.
  • Fulmar: Around 275 pairs.
  • Kittiwake: Over 110 pairs.
  • Great Black-backed Gull: Around 10 pairs.
  • Herring Gull: Around 4 pairs.

The breeding season peaks between April and August. Visitors are asked to maintain at least 100 metres from known nesting sites during this period; landing on the islets is not permitted.

The surrounding waters of Broadhaven Bay are equally rich. The bay is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and hosts all five Annex II marine mammal species protected under the European Habitats Directive. Common bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, grey seals, and harbour seals are regular visitors. Beneath the surface, divers can find rare anemones (Parazoanthus anguicomus), soft corals (Alcyonium glomeratum), and the uncommon crab Pirimela denticulata.

History and Legends

Despite their imposing presence, the Stags have never supported permanent human habitation. Until the 1960s, local shepherds grazed sheep on the islands for about six weeks each summer, a practice that highlights the resourcefulness of Erris communities.

Irish mythology ties the stacks to the Children of Lir, who were cursed and banished to these sea stacks before eventually turning into swans. A monument on the mainland coastal walk marks this legend. The waters carry a darker maritime history too: during the Spanish Armada in the 16th century, a ship foundered in Broadhaven Bay – known in local tradition as the Santiago – and wreckage still lies on the seabed. Local folklore also speaks of 18th-century rapparees using nearby Kid Island as a hideout.

Viewing from Land

For visitors who prefer to stay on solid ground, the Erris Head loop walk provides a panoramic vantage point over the stacks. The Ceide Fields Visitor Centre, perched on the cliffs above the ancient field system, also offers uninterrupted sightlines; its glass-topped viewing platform and interpretive displays connect the prehistoric landscape to the marine environment beyond.

Practical Information

  • Access: Free entry. The islands are unmanaged with no facilities. Landing on the islets is prohibited; the SPA designation protects fragile nesting habitat.
  • Launch Point: Portacloy Harbour (7 km round-trip by kayak). Parking is limited and informal. Boat trips and sea-sports excursions also depart from Belmullet harbour.
  • Best Conditions: May to September offers the calmest seas and longest daylight hours.
  • Tides: Landing coves on the stacks are most accessible at low to mid-tide. High tide can block safe access to the base.
  • Safety: The area is fully exposed to Atlantic swells. Always check Met Éireann forecasts and tide tables. Only experienced paddlers should attempt the crossing; prepare for cold water (approximately 12°C).
  • Equipment: A dry suit or wetsuit, waterproof navigation tools, and a VHF radio are essential.
  • Guided Tours: Local operators run day trips from Portacloy that combine kayaking with coastal foraging and regional history. Advance booking recommended in peak season.

Exploring North Mayo

The Stags sit within the dramatic coastal scenery of Erris, which can be combined with other regional highlights. Use Belmullet as a base for accommodation. To the south, Ballycroy National Park provides access to ancient blanket bog and dark-sky reserves. For more coastal drama, Downpatrick Head – a short drive east – features a blow-hole, a ruined 16th-century church, and the Dun Briste sea stack. The Benwee Loop Walk is a five-hour coastal trek that traces the quartzite cliffs and arches of Benwee Head with repeated close-up views of the Stags across Broadhaven Bay.