Editing Geography of Ireland (section)

==Physical geography==
===Mountain ranges===
{{see also|List of mountains in Ireland}}
[[File:Ireland physical large.png|thumb|Mountains, lakes, rivers and other physical features of Ireland are shown on this map.|alt=See caption]]

Ireland consists of a mostly flat low-lying area in what are known as the Midlands. It is ringed by mountain ranges such as—beginning in County Cork and working clockwise—the [[Boggeragh Mountains]], [[Derrynasaggart Mountains]], [[Caha Mountains]], [[MacGillycuddy's Reeks]], [[Slieve Mish Mountains]], [[Mullaghareirk Mountains]], the [[Twelve Bens]]/[[Maumturks]] group, [[Nephinbeg Mountains]], [[Ox Mountains]], [[Bluestack Mountains]], [[Derryveagh Mountains]], [[Sperrin Mountains]], [[Mourne Mountains|the Mournes]], [[Wicklow Mountains]], [[Blackstairs Mountains]], [[Comeragh Mountains]] and [[Knockmealdown Mountains]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools">{{cite book |last=O Duinin |first=Padraig |publisher=The Educational Company of Ireland |title=Second Atlas for Irish Schools |edition=3rd |page=5}}</ref><ref name="HandBk1849" />{{rp|3}}<ref name="MountainsofIrelandBook">{{cite book| last=McCormack |first=Gareth |title=The Mountains of Ireland |publisher=The Collins Press | place=Dublin |year=2016}}</ref> Some mountain ranges are further inland in the south of Ireland, such as the [[Galtee Mountains]] (the highest inland range),<ref>{{cite web|title=Glen of Aherlow|publisher=Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society|url=http://aherlow.com/walking/|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717004419/http://aherlow.com/walking/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Silvermine Mountains|Silvermine]] and [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> There is an area of raised land near the northeastern coast, the Antrim Plateau, which contains the [[Glens of Antrim]]; this area is sometimes called the Mountains of Antrim.<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> The highest peak [[Carrauntoohil]], at {{convert|1038.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} high,<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> is in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, a range of glacier-carved sandstone mountains. Only three peaks on the island are over {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="OSIFAQS">{{cite web |title=Ordnance Survey FAQs |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey of Ireland]] |url=http://www.osi.ie/about/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215220/http://www.osi.ie/about/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and another 457 exceed {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web | title = 500 m Irish Mountains | publisher = MountainViews.com | url = http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?log_sort=height&log_sort_dir=up | access-date = 11 January 2008 | archive-date = 18 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071118192751/http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?log_sort=height&log_sort_dir=up | url-status = live }}</ref> There are a number of walking trails in the mountains, with the longest being that through the Wicklow Mountains. In the Mourne Mountains, with multiple walking trails, a wall was built between the 13 major peaks, the {{convert|36|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} Mourne Wall.<ref name="MountainsofIrelandBook" />

Ireland is sometimes known as the "Emerald Isle" because of its green landscape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/CIL/DrennanErin.php|title=When Erin First Rose|website=libraryireland.com|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Maurer |first=Erin |title=What Is 'The Emerald Isle?' |work=[[USA Today]] |date=15 March 2018 |url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/emerald-isle-34850.html |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025055511/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/emerald-isle-34850.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Emerald Isle: Ireland from Space |publisher=Live Science |year=2012 |url=https://www.livescience.com/31260-emerald-isle-ireland-space.html |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430130111/https://www.livescience.com/31260-emerald-isle-ireland-space.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rivers and lakes===
{{see also|List of rivers of Ireland|List of loughs of Ireland}}
[[File:NunsTurgesius Castle isles Lough Lene.JPG|thumb|left|[[Lough Lene]], County Westmeath|alt=See caption]]
Waterbodies accounted for around 2% of the land area of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland are over {{convert|74000|km}} of rivers and streams, more than {{convert|125000|ha}} of lake and over {{convert|3000|ha}} of reservoirs; these are not evenly distributed—over 30% of the watercourse length is found in Counties Cork, Donegal and Mayo, while Counties Mayo and Galway hold over 40% of the total lake area. Almost all of the reservoir area lies in just two counties, Wicklow (2/3) and Cork (1/3).<ref>{{cite book|title="Ecosystem accounts – Rivers and Lakes by Extent" |year=2018 |last=Sharkey |first=Nova |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref> In Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh is by far the leading source of water.<ref name="LNeagh_NIWater">{{Cite web |title=Your water is safe to drink |url=https://www.niwater.com/news-detail/12350/Your-water-is-safe-to-drink/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Northern Ireland Water |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404165315/https://www.niwater.com/news-detail/12350/Your-water-is-safe-to-drink/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[River Shannon]], at {{convert|360.5|km|mi|abbr=}} in length, is the longest river in Ireland and Britain. With a drainage area of {{convert|16865|km2|sqmi|0|abbr= on}},<ref>{{cite book|title= Biology and Management of European Eel (''Anguilla anguilla'', L) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland|chapter-url= http://europeaneel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/chapter-2-study-area.pdf|chapter= Chapter 2: Study Area|access-date= 7 September 2014|archive-date= 7 September 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140907173249/http://europeaneel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/chapter-2-study-area.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> the [[Shannon River Basin]] covers one-fifth of the island. The Shannon crosses 11 counties and divides the west of Ireland from the south and east. The river develops into three large lakes along its course, [[Lough Allen]], [[Lough Ree]], and [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]].<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> The River Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean at [[Limerick]] city along the [[Shannon Estuary]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" />

Other major rivers include the [[River Liffey]] and its leading tributary, the [[River Dodder]], and the nearby [[River Tolka|Tolka River]], [[River Slaney]], the Three Sisters (the Rivers [[River Nore|Nore]], [[River Suir|Suir]] and [[River Barrow|Barrow]]), [[River Lee (Ireland)|River Lee]], [[River Erne]], [[River Foyle|Foyle River]], [[River Bann]], [[River Lagan]], and [[River Boyne]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> There are also multiple River Blackwaters, the most significant being the [[Munster Blackwater]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> The river with the greatest output volume is the Shannon but the second-greatest volume is in the short but powerful [[River Corrib]].<ref name="Ospar Convention 2009">{{citation |last=Mac Cárthaigh |first=Micheál |title=Comprehensive study of Riverine Inputs: Details of hydrometric stations, sampling stations: Table 2 |page=17 |publisher=Irish Environmental Agency |location=Dublin |date=January 2011 |url=http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/flows/Hydrometric%20Data%20for%20the%202009%20OSPAR%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228153452/http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/flows/Hydrometric%20Data%20for%20the%202009%20OSPAR%20Report.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2021}}</ref>

[[Lough Neagh]], in Ulster,<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> is the largest lake in Ireland and Britain with an area of {{convert|392|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. The largest lake in the [[Republic of Ireland]] is Lough Corrib {{convert|176|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Other large lakes, besides the three major Shannon examples, include the two linked lakes known as [[Lough Erne]], [[Lough Mask]] and Lough Corrib, and [[Lough Conn]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /><ref name="OSIFAQS" />

===Inlets===
{{see also|List of Irish counties by coastline}}
<!-- [[File:Topography Ireland.jpg|thumb|[[Topography]] of Ireland|alt=See caption]] -->

[[File:Killary Harbour.jpg|thumb|left|[[Killary Harbour]] forms a natural border between counties [[County Galway|Galway]] and [[County Mayo|Mayo]] for {{convert|16|km}}|alt=A photograph of Killary Harbour]]
In County Donegal, [[Lough Swilly]] separates the western side of the [[Inishowen peninsula]] from the wider county. [[Lough Foyle]] on the other side, is one of Ireland's larger inlets, situated between County Donegal and [[County Londonderry]].<ref name="donegal">{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Donegal | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Donegal.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 1 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080101022944/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Donegal.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Clockwise round the coast is [[Belfast Lough]], between County Antrim and County Down.<ref name="down">{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Down | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Down.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065218/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Down.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Also in County Down is [[Strangford Lough]], actually an inlet partially separating the [[Ards peninsula]] from the mainland. Further south, [[Carlingford Lough]] is situated between Down and [[County Louth]].<ref name="down" />

[[Dublin Bay]] is the next sizeable inlet. The east coast of Ireland has no major inlets until [[Wexford Harbour]] at the mouth of the River Slaney.<ref>{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Wexford | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Wexford.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065323/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Wexford.php | url-status = live }}</ref> On the south coast, [[Waterford Harbour]] is situated at the mouth of the River Suir,<ref>{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Waterford | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Waterford.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065313/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Waterford.php | url-status = live }}</ref> into which the other two of the [[The Three Sisters (Ireland)|Three Sisters]] (the Rivers Nore and Barrow) flow. The next major inlet is [[Cork Harbour]], at the mouth of the River Lee, in which [[Great Island]] is situated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://infomar.ie/surveying/Bays/Corkv1.php |title=Surveys – Cork Harbour and Coast |publisher=Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR) |access-date=6 August 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214047/http://infomar.ie/surveying/Bays/Corkv1.php |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>

[[Dunmanus Bay]], [[Kenmare River|Kenmare estuary]] and [[Dingle Bay]] are all inlets between the peninsulas of western [[County Cork]] and [[County Kerry]]. North of these is the Shannon Estuary. Between north County Clare and County Galway is [[Galway Bay]]. [[Clew Bay]] is located on the coast of [[County Mayo]], south of [[Achill Island]], while [[Broadhaven Bay]], [[Blacksod Bay]] and [[Sruth Fada Conn]] bays are situated in northwest Connacht, in North Mayo. [[Killala Bay]] is on the northeast coast of Mayo. [[Donegal Bay]] is a major inlet between County Donegal and [[County Sligo]].<ref name="donegal" />

A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were {{Convert|565|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of tidal flats in Ireland, making it the 43rd-ranked country in terms of tidal flat area.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8 |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124213205/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Headlands===
[[Malin Head]] is the most northerly point in Ireland,<ref>{{cite web | title = Malin Head | work = Weather Observing Stations | publisher = [[Met Éireann]] | url = http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/malinhead.asp | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 19 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071119113903/http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/malinhead.asp | url-status = live }}</ref> while [[Mizen Head]] is one of the [[Extreme points of Ireland|most southern points]], hence the term "from [[Malin to Mizen]]" (or the reverse) is used for anything applying to the island of Ireland as a whole. [[Carnsore Point]] is another extreme point of Ireland, being its southeasternmost point. [[Hook Head]] and the [[Old Head of Kinsale]] are two of many headlands along the south coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnsore Point |publisher=South Wexford Coast |year=2023 |url=https://www.southwexfordcoast.com/carnsore-point |access-date=6 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal overview for Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/19/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165416/https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/19/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Loop Head]] is the headland at which County Clare comes to a point on the west coast of Ireland, with the Atlantic on the north, and the Shannon estuary to the south.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/26/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165419/https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/26/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hag's Head]] is another headland further up Clare's north/western coastline, with the [[Cliffs of Moher]] along the coastline north of the point.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal Overview for Loop Head to Slyne Head |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/32/ |access-date=6 August 2023 }}</ref>

===Islands and peninsulas===
{{see also|List of islands of Ireland|List of islands of County Mayo}}
[[File:Dingle Peninsula.jpg|thumb|left|Dingle Peninsula as viewed from [[Banna Strand]]|alt=See caption]]
Achill Island, off the west coast, is the largest of Ireland's offshore islands. Achill is inhabited, and is permanently connected to the mainland by a bridge.<ref>{{cite book |title=Oileain: A Guide to the Irish Islands |last=Walsh |first=David |author2=Sean Pierce |year=2004 |publisher=Pesda Press |isbn=978-0-9531956-9-5 |page= 158 }}</ref> Some of the next largest islands are the [[Aran Islands]], off the coast of southern [[Connacht]], host to an Irish-speaking community, or [[Gaeltacht]]. [[Valentia Island]] off the [[Iveragh peninsula]] is also one of Ireland's larger islands, and is relatively settled, as well as being connected by a bridge at its southeastern end.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 November 2023|publisher=Irish Tourisn.com|title=Valentia Island|url=https://www.irishtourism.com/valentia-island|year=2023}}</ref> [[Omey Island]], off the coast of [[Connemara]], is a [[tidal island]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Omey Island:Discover the mysterious tidal island in Connemara |work=The Islands |via=galwaytourism.ie |year=2023 |url=https://www.galwaytourism.ie/omey-island |accessdate=25 July 2023 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406163659/https://www.galwaytourism.ie/omey-island/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some of the best-known peninsulas in Ireland are in Counties Cork and Kerry: the [[Dingle peninsula]], the Iveragh peninsula and the [[Beara peninsula]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Kerry |encyclopedia=Geography and Travel |publisher=Britannica.com |date=27 October 2023 |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerry |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119175740/https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerry |url-status=live }}</ref> Other promontories outside the southwest include the [[Fanad|Fanad (Fannet Head)]], Mullet Peninsula, the Old Head of Kinsale, Hook Head, [[Howth Head]] and the [[Cooley Peninsula]].<ref name="HandBk1849">{{Cite book |last=Fraser |first=James |title=A Hand Book for Travellers to Ireland |publisher=James McGlashan (with William Orr & Co.) |year=1849 |edition=6th thousand ("enlarged and corrected") |location=Dublin}}</ref>{{rp|4}} The Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal includes Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head, and several towns, including [[Buncrana]] on Lough Swilly,<ref name="UKIndo_Inishowen">{{Cite news |date=2023-07-17 |title=Adventures in Inishowen: Ireland's dream peninsula |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/ireland/wild-atlantic-way-inishowen-peninsula-b2369709.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226194238/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/ireland/wild-atlantic-way-inishowen-peninsula-b2369709.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Carndonagh]] and [[Moville]] on Lough Foyle.<ref name="InishowenBk_Swan_1938">{{Cite book |last=Swan |first=Henry Percival |title=The Book of Inishowen: A Guide Book and Conspectus of Information Relating to the Barony of Inishowen, County Donegal |publisher=W. Doherty (printers) |year=1938 |location=Buncrana, County Donegal}}</ref>

Ireland's most northerly undisputed land feature is Inishtrahull island, off Malin Head.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inishowen Peninsula |work=via ireland.com |publisher=[[Tourism Ireland]] |year=2023 |url=https://www.ireland.com/en-au/destinations/regions/inishowen-peninsula/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101161230/https://www.ireland.com/en-au/destinations/regions/inishowen-peninsula/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rockall]] Island lies farther north but its status is disputed, being claimed by the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, [[Denmark]] (on behalf of the [[Faroe Islands]]) and [[Iceland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Written Answers: Rockall Island |work=Dáil Éireann Debates |publisher=[[Oireachtas]] |date=24 March 2011 |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2011-03-24/32/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183149/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2011-03-24/32/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The most southerly point is the [[Fastnet Rock]].<ref>{{cite news  |title=Light on a Lonely Rock |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=18 December 2008 |url=https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2008/12/18/light-on-a-lonely-rock |access-date=1 November 2023 }}</ref>

The [[Hebrides]] off [[Geography of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Anglesey]] off [[Geography of Wales|Wales]] were grouped with Ireland ("[[Hibernia]]") by the Greco-Roman geographer [[Claudius Ptolemy|Ptolemy]].<ref>{{citation |author=Ptolemy |title=Geog. |at=Bk. 2, Ch. 1 & 2 |title-link=Ptolemy's Geography |author-link=Ptolemy }}.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Forests===
Ireland, like the neighbouring Great Britain, was once covered in forest. Clearing of forests began in the [[Neolithic Age]] and accelerated following the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland|Tudor Conquest]], resulting in forest cover of only 1% by the start of the twentieth century.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Arthur |title=Ireland's forests: Watching a vanished world return |work=Environment |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=27 July 2018 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/irelands-forests-watching-a-vanished-world-return/a-44848417 |access-date=25 November 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109020520/https://www.dw.com/en/irelands-forests-watching-a-vanished-world-return/a-44848417 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2017, total tree cover in the Republic of Ireland stood at 11% of land area<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/nfi/nfisecondcycle2012/|title=National Forestry Inventory, Second Cycle 2012|work=DAFM|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018215036/https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/nfi/nfisecondcycle2012/|url-status=live}}</ref> but the figure for native forest stood at just 2% in 2018, the third lowest in Europe, behind Iceland and Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iwt.ie/what-we-do/campaigns/living-landscapes/forestry-and-woodland-in-ireland/ |title=Forestry and Woodland in Ireland |website=Irish Wildlife Trust |date=February 2018 |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183132/https://iwt.ie/what-we-do/campaigns/living-landscapes/forestry-and-woodland-in-ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the 172 countries assessed, Ireland has the sixth most degraded forest landscape in the world.<ref>Grantham H.S. et al. (2020) "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5978. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5978G. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7723057. PMID 33293507.</ref>

===Marine geography===
The coastline of Ireland is {{convert|7524|km}} long.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771499905073 |title= The Relative Lengths of Seashore Substrata Around the Coastline of Ireland as Determined by Digital Methods in a Geographical Information System |date= 22 April 1999 |publisher= Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin |doi= 10.1006/ecss.1999.0507 |access-date= 13 July 2021 |last1= Neilson |first1= Brigitte |last2= Costello |first2= Mark J. |journal= Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |volume= 49 |issue= 4 |pages= 501–508 |bibcode= 1999ECSS...49..501N |s2cid= 128982465 |archive-date= 13 July 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210713111748/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771499905073 |url-status= live }}</ref> As the continental shelf extends far to the west and southwest, the larger of the two jurisdictions on the island has extensive seabed claims, exceeding {{convert|880000|sqkm}}, more than 10 times the land area.<ref name="SeabedMap_MarInst">{{Cite web |title=The Real Map of Ireland {{!}} Marine Institute |url=https://www.marine.ie/site-area/irelands-marine-resource/real-map-ireland-0 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=marine.ie |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331162948/https://www.marine.ie/site-area/irelands-marine-resource/real-map-ireland-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>